– by Shelaugh Begg –
As kids we all had heroes, whether they were on the screen or in real life. In our teenage years, we looked up to movie stars and rock singers. By the time you are in your 40s, however, or older, it is a lot harder to see a hero.
I am not saying that inspirational people or heroes are not all around us, just that we do not see them as easily. These days, sometimes seeing a hero or inspiring person can make us feel less. With a world that sometimes beats us down, seeing others succeeding, and doing and being what and who they’ve always wanted can be hard to take when we feel we haven’t had the same successes.
Most of us have work, family, homes and health issues that need our attention; our focus isn’t always on ourselves. If we do what they ask us to do on the airplane – put the oxygen mask on ourselves first – we would be happier and more fulfilled.
Everyone is at a different level with their own strengths and weaknesses. Having trust in your body and stepping out of your comfort zone can be a big leap of faith, but it’s one worth taking. For me this happened last summer when I took the first of many steps out of my comfort zone.
When I was in grade six, I wanted to go to camp. To get there, my classmates and I would have to ride our bikes from North Sannich School to the Brentwood Bay ferry, then up to camp at Shawnigan Lake. My mom said yes to the camp but no to riding my bike. So instead of that big ride, I rode in a van for the trip. I never became much of a cyclist, and until recently, I always thought I was not strong enough to do the trip on my bike.
Last summer though, I was determined to try. Not only did I ride the whole way up, but I also swam in the lake then rode back home the same day. I told my brother Glen, who suggested I do a triathlon. I thought he was kidding! I didn’t swim as a kid and I’d never put my face in the water before, but I signed up for swimming lessons and bought a road bike. Slowly, I’m working on my next goal.
You might think riding a bike and swimming in middle age aren’t such a big deal, but they were for me. In recent years, I had hurt my back and hips so badly that I could not walk across the street or sit in a chair without severe pain. I got help and worked hard to get and feel better.
Then the next challenge hit: despite a change of job, I started to have severe pain in my hands, wrist, arms and shoulders. I headed back into the medical system and learned that I have arthritis. With the help of a lot of people (Backfit, Victoria Arthritis Centre, Panorama Recreation, and my family) and my hard work, I have come back from this too. I am now in the best shape of my life.
After overcoming these challenges, my eyes are now open to the heroes all around me, including myself. Not a day goes by without someone inspiring me.
Once you shift your thinking, you’ll find the people that are doing and being all that they can be. Use the power, drive and inspiration from them in your own life, even in a small way. Taking the first step might lead to bigger and better things than you ever thought possible. Your superhero might just be you!
