Quotes from Unapologetically You, Day 3

“If you are not the hero of your own story, then you’re missing the whole point of your humanity.”  – Dr. Steve Maraboli; Unapologetically You, pg. 109

“- [T]he hero of your own story-.” I like that part. It brings about images of super heroes with supernatural abilities, walking ahead of me on the path, clearing away the gremlins and villains so I can continue on. This, of course, means I have supernatural abilities. Only I know the truest, deepest desires of my heart and soul. Only I know how best to protect me for certain disaster, only I know when its time to put on a cape and do battle for my own benefit.

I haven’t always been my own hero. I spent a good portion of my life waiting for my hero to arrive, that one person that makes things right, takes care of you, defends you against all that is ‘evil.’ I truly believed the fairy tales of childhood, or, at least, the parts about a powerful man who defends the damsel from certain peril, keeping her safe from the less beautiful parts of life, and they live happily ever after, flowers, butterflies, balloons, rainbows, and all.

Even though this belief was something buried in my subconscious, it had a very real effect on my actions and life. I felt powerless to change my life or situation whenever things went out of whack. I expected whoever I was with to come up with the solution. This is a really horrible expectation to have of someone, anyone, and a huge, unrealistic responsibility. It is also a sure-fire way to end up not living the life you have envisioned in your dreams.

The other side of this is that, when things were going well or I had lost faith in whoever it was I was expecting to be my hero, I moved forward with the air of complete confidence, in search of another ‘hero,’ one that I could rely on. Recipe for disaster? This is the blue ribbon winner.

Its embarrassing to admit this was how I moved through life. I’m not a dumb girl but that was just dumb living, and I’m dealing with all of that now. I have learned that the hero I have always been looking for was with me all along: me. Coming to that realization is empowering. It takes my ‘destiny’ out of the hands of anyone else, placing the responsibility for my life directly in my hands, which is where it truly has been the entire time, even though I gave it away every chance I had.

Responsibility can be an intimidating thing. It is also a very wonderful thing. It is the Book of Shadows for life. It is the anti-kryptonite serum. Having responsibilities means you have choices to make and your life will look exactly as you make it out to be. You have powers, and with those powers, you get to see life through a different lens, enjoy it to its fullest, and know that whatever comes your way, you can handle it.

Go be the best hero for yourself you can be! You won’t regret it for a single second.

Advertisement