A Celebration of Personal Heroes
A Special eBook Commemorating September 11, 2001
Produced by The Gratitude Book Project® Team, a division of Kozik Rocha, Inc.
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2011 Kozik Rocha, Inc.
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Publisher: Kozik Rocha, Inc.
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San Diego CA 92104
Cover design by Becky Cohen
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Acknowledgments
Just like the first edition of The Gratitude Book Project: Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude, the concept for this first-ever eBook version, A Celebration of Personal Heroes, struck and wouldn’t let go.
The light bulb went off in early July—with an anticipated release date of September 11—leaving little time to spare.
So a special thank you is owed to the entire team of The Gratitude Book Project®, who were willing to work around their scheduled vacations and once again put their skills and their hearts to work to make this project come together. Well done, team!
Yet without the co-authors, whose thoughts and feelings on heroism make up this collection, you wouldn’t be reading this now. They are the backbone of this series, and for them, our gratitude knows no bounds. Thanks for keeping gratitude in motion!
We also wish to express our appreciation to the heroes who have been cited in this book. You have touched the lives of our co-authors and the lives of our team. You deserve much more recognition than this book is capable of offering—though we are certain none of you will agree or even consider yourself a hero. Thanks for being you!
And finally, to the men and women of 9/11, who are the finest reflection of what humanity has to offer. Your deeds have not gone unrecognized, and we have not forgotten you.
May those who made the ultimate sacrifice rest in peace and may their families take a measure of comfort knowing our hearts go out to you and we appreciate all that you have given.
And to those who walk among us, may your days be filled with peace and love and the knowledge that your fellow humans have not and will not forget your heroic actions.
You have given us all much to be proud of, and you have our gratitude.
About Kozik Rocha, Inc.
The Gratitude Book Project® book series is a division of Kozik Rocha, Inc., where Donna Kozik shows people how to Write a Book in a Weekend® and Dina Rocha shows them how to get published. Find more book writing, publishing, and promotion tips and resources at www.KozikRocha.com.
For more gratitude reading, check out editions of The Gratitude Book Project® at www.TheGratitudeBookProject.com, including:
Contents
The Heroism of the American Entrepreneur Merrilee Johnson
Aid Still Required Maureen A. Charles
Imagine My Surprise Ann Bennett
Inspirational Mutiny Carol Lynn Fletcher
The Storytellers’ Gift Chrissy Caeliss
The Hero Within Linda A. Distler
Dance of Life Elisabeth Balcarczyk
Average Heroes Michelle Larsen
The Great Alchemist Stephanie Mullani
Jump into Your Dreams and Become a Hero Luz Liliana Garcia
You’re a Hero Too Cat Traywick
Otto, My Grandfather Lee Ann Seaman
My Best Friend! Linda Williams
Superhero Triple Crown Carol Meade
Inspiration & Personal Heroes Doreen R. Dilger
Heroes of Law Enforcement Lynn Jordan
Heroes in the Family Winnis Chiang
Compassionate Heart Facing Death Arnina Kashtan
Two Women Thinking Ahead Kerry Patterson Capps
My Real-Life Heroes Cecilia Matthews
Heroes for Our Times B. E. Thompson
In Celebration of Heroes Donna Buice
A Simple Hero Patricia Drury Sidman
Heart Wide Open Lynn T. Morell
Her Path, I Honor Kathy “HiKath” Preston
My Hero, My Husband Barb Girson
9/11: Last Big Job Laurie Tossy
I Catch Her Smiling at Me and Know It Will Be All Right Milana Vinokur
Everyday Heroes Doreen Susan McGrath-Smith
Those Who Came Before Donna Kozik
How Rosa Parks Tore Down the Berlin Wall Trish Ostroski
Gratitude For My Hero Anne McLeod Ryan
Real Heroes Cecelia Heckman Inwentarz
My Two Biggest Heroes Kim Nishida Bidwell
In Pursuit and Support of the American Dream Sandra Martini
What Matters Most Teresa C. Lea
A Day To Remember Jennie Yates
My Father, My Hero, The Firefighter Laynita Cichy
From Darkness to Light Diana Garber
Ageless Inspiration Jackie Trottmann
Dad: My Guiding Star Gillian Holland
Everyday Heroes Joyce Layman Blackburn
A Pitcher of Heroes Joe Noonan
Learning to Live Gracefully River Grace
Courage, Strength, & Truth Holly Tompkins
When Least Expected Joyce Ozier
The CNA: Certified Nursing Angel Susan Brownell
Signed “Your Favorite Aunt” Debbie Miles
My Pint-Sized Hero Marty Carey Segelke
Courage To Age Gracefully Elizabeth H. Cottrell
Noted With Love Darlene Janke Horwath
Heroes in the Park Louise-Annette Burgess
A Dream Fulfilled Millie Sunday Jett
Heroes in My Life Leslie Hagerich
I’m Okay. You’re Okay. Peg Roach Loyd
My Husband, My Hero Marcia Francois
The Rainbow Spectrum Joy Leccese
Salute to Courage Armaity Hathidaru
My Wonderful Aunt Bernice Avery Thurman
Gesture from the Heart Allegra S. Harrington
Woodsie, My She-ro Avenelle Warde
Love Never Stops Giving Sylvia Myers
Snapshots of a Young Hero Nicole Bissett
Lloyd Glenn, the Visionary Leila Glenn
Happiness is a Choice Helen Sue Walker
Beautiful Heroes Melanie Kissell
My Dad, My Hero Sharon G. Teed
Heroes of My Life Peggy Lee Hanson
Parents: The 24/7 Heroes Margaret Hicke
Inspiration Found Phyllis Campagna
Remembrance of Heroes Louise Rouse
My Personal Hero: A Selfless Friend Debra Dupree
The Hero Next Door Stephanie Rainbow Bell
Delta Rescue: Saving Lives R. J. Peters
A Pope, a Bishop, and a Father Roslyn Rajasingam
Consummate Caregivers—Modern Heroes Eric Pfeiffer
Everyday Heroes Inspire Me Diane Halfman
My Dad is My Hero Tricia Ebert
My Inspirations Melody Heath-Smith
Wind Beneath My Wings Michelle Heinselman
The Gift of Inspiration Wendy Mackowski
Grateful for Men Monika Huppertz
Lifting Up the Everyday Heroes in our Midst Claire Knowles
A Tribute to Adi Kicki Pallin Serby
His Spirit Lives On Doreen Baran
Susan Hagen and Mary Carouba Martia Nelson
Get your journal at www.TheGratitudeBookProject.com
Initially, this edition of The Gratitude Book Project® started out as a way to remember the tenth anniversary of 9/11 and all that was lost. And we wanted to do our part to promote peace in a world too often focused on our differences rather than our commonalities. We hoped to, at the same time, keep gratitude in motion by expressing it out loud and giving this eBook to anyone and everyone who wanted one.
It didn’t take long to realize that it is nearly impossible to reflect upon the events of 9/11 without stirring up our thoughts and feelings about heroism and what that means to us collectively and as individuals. So we expanded our idea to also commemorate the courageous men and women of that event who gave us all so much to be proud of—not only as Americans but as members of humanity.
As it turns out, our co-authors have a lot to say on this subject. Heroism is not a course taught in school. And yet, every minute of every day a hero emerges among us—though the majority of them do not perceive themselves that way.
In the pages that follow, you will find evidence that many of us have well-known and little-known heroes that reach beyond the scope of 9/11. They are people who possess qualities or characteristics we would like to emulate. The existence of heroes helps us to expand our perceptions about our own limitations and gives us something to aspire to—something every society needs.
Though what defines a hero to each of us may vary, the majority of people would agree that heroes have a number of traits in common:
• They are concerned about the needs of others or the defense or support of one or more moral convictions.
• They are willing to risk a potential sacrifice to their own reputation or well-being.
• They are under no obligations or requirement to do anything.
• They do not anticipate or expect rewards or recognition.
Most of them are, in fact, ordinary people. But what separates a hero from everyone else is his or her choice to take action. It is the act a person performs that is considered extraordinary. When it meets the above criteria it is considered heroic—and we believe the stories contained within will demonstrate that.
Through the compilation of A Celebration of Personal Heroes we at the offices of Kozik Rocha, Inc. have gained something unexpected. (It’s funny how that keeps happening with The Gratitude Book Project®.) We have discovered we have been working with heroes in disguise for the better part of a year—our co-authors.
Without their support—without their thoughts and stories—without their willingness to take action—this series would just be a concept in waiting.
We couldn’t appreciate them more, and they are all our heroes.
This book is by them—it’s for them—and it’s about them.
So without further delay, we deliver to the world: A Celebration of Personal Heroes.
In deepest gratitude,
Michelle Dimsey,
Associate Editor On behalf of The Gratitude Book Project® Team
The Heroism of the American Entrepreneur
Merrilee Johnson
As we approach the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the United States of America, I am reminded of the valor, bravery, and fortitude of our people. Our country was built on the blood, sweat, and tears of those who risked everything for our freedom and prosperity. As a citizen, I am thankful for the freedom to be an entrepreneur and create my own business.
America’s entrepreneurs, small business owners, and the people they employ make up the majority of the work force in America. While building their businesses, hard-working entrepreneurs often invest all of their life savings and spend their most precious commodity: time. These businesses create jobs, which bring in revenue and strengthen the economy. The entrepreneurs work tirelessly to create a better future for themselves and others. Those who have fought for our freedom, the family and friends who support them, and those who work hard to build this country one small business at a time are my heroes!
Like our beloved men and women in the armed forces, our small business owners many times don’t receive even so much as a “thank you” for their vast contribution to the advancement of our country! Running a small business is like going to war every day: you have enemies and allies. One is undermining you, whether consciously or unconsciously, and the other is alongside of you, supporting your efforts.
Some people focus on the negative state of affairs in our country, bury their heads in the sand, and say “there is nothing I can do.” You are either a part of the problem or a part of the solution. Where do you fit into the equation? As we enter into the second half of 2011, I challenge you to examine your own contributions and encourage you to patronize your local vendors in some way. Consider referring them to others when satisfied with their products or services. Your contribution may be as simple as giving a smile to the local flower shop owner as you walk by in the morning. Perhaps simply picking up some trash in front of the neighborhood grocery store would brighten the owner’s day just a little?
We as Americans are blessed to have many freedoms that people in other countries only dream of. It is time to show the rest of the world what we are truly made of. It is time to not only admire those who possess the fine attributes of valor, bravery, and fortitude, but to endeavor to develop the same within ourselves. We are all in this together, and it is time to take responsibility to help build a stronger America!
Merrilee Johnson helps people create wealth through real estate sales and acquisition. Find her at www.MerrileeJohnson.com.
Maureen A. Charles
Ethicist Felix Adler once said: “The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by.”
I am fortunate. I live my life surrounded by heroes. For the past 15 years I have had the profound privilege of teaching a course in transformational approaches to community leadership. The program empowers people to design and implement projects that make a real and lasting difference in their communities. Over and over again, I watch ostensibly ordinary people shine a light on injustices, open up extraordinary discourse, build consensus, invent elegant solutions, make seemingly impossible promises, and keep those promises.
Hunter and Andrea Herz Payne are two such heroes. They began participating in a course I was leading in the winter of 2005— just weeks after a devastating tsunami hit Southeast Asia, killing 230,000 people and displacing millions more.
Moved and haunted by images of lifeless bodies, orphaned children, and heartbroken parents, the Paynes were compelled to take extraordinary action. They began what they soon discovered to be a massive task: compiling an all-star CD to raise funds to aid tsunami victims. But when Paul McCartney donated a track and President Clinton’s United Nations Office for Tsunami Recovery endorsed the project, they knew there was no turning back.
Not content with secondhand knowledge of the disaster, the Paynes spent their honeymoon touring the hardest-hit area: Aceh, Indonesia. The experience changed their lives forever. Returning to the States, they gave up their day jobs, often working 16+ hour days on the tsunami CD project as well as a campaign to bring awareness to the genocide taking place in Darfur.
Then Hurricane Katrina hit, and all eyes turned to New Orleans. No one seemed interested in the tsunami any more.
Emboldened, rather than daunted, by this new kink in their CD plans, the Paynes simply widened the scope of their efforts. They founded an international non-governmental organization they called Aid Still Required (ASR), which shines the spotlight on forgotten issues and people who have been left behind in the wake of natural disasters and human crises. Today ASR project areas include not only Indonesia, but New Orleans, Darfur, and Haiti as well.
Hunter and Andrea Payne have something critical in common with the heroes of 9/11: they live their lives in the service of strangers and for the possibility of a world where everyone can live in dignity, health, and peace.
Maureen A. Charles, a professional writer residing in Pasadena, Calif., serves as Board Secretary for Aid Still Required, runs marathons for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and leads Landmark Education’s Self-Expression and Leadership Program. She knows a hero when she sees one; look in the mirror, and you will too.
Ann Bennett
There I was on 11th Street, coming out of Dean and Deluca’s with a big mug of coffee—latte, to be precise. Still feeling the chill of cold words spoken by my lover. The warm sun shining on my skin. Everyone was looking up, so I looked too. People fell to the ground around me crying. I blinked over and over in disbelief. I thought, “This isn’t happening,” but it was. Shocked, I walked up 5th Avenue, tears streaming down my face. That day was the day of heroes. Each stranger I met, made eye contact with, and held in my arms has left an indelible mark on my heart. I will never forget all those brave New Yorkers.
Ann Bennett is the founder of Irresistible Marketing (www.IrresistibleMarketing.net) and currently resides in the Los Angeles area.
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Carol Lynn Fletcher
My hero is Fletcher Christian, who led a mutiny in 1789 on board the HMS Bounty. Once the vessel was commandeered,Christian set Captain Bligh and 18 loyalists adrift in the vessel’s launch. Christian then set sail with his fellow mutineers to find a hiding place and new home in the Pacific. After combing charts, Christian found that Pitcairn Island had been charted incorrectly. It was there they landed in the hopes of not being found by the British government. Twenty years later, quite by accident, the island was discovered. Only one mutineer remained, John Adams.
In 1962 my parents took me kicking and screaming to see Marlon Brando in Mutiny on the Bounty. I had no idea how my life was about to change.
I resisted every frame until it was time for the Bounty to set sail for Tahiti. The sails went up, the music swelled, and I gasped. I had never seen anything so beautiful in my life. I felt love for the very first time as I fell in love with the Bounty. My heart swelled with the newness of the feeling. It was now December 23, 1787, and I was the only girl living on board the HMS Bounty.
When “we” arrived in Tahiti to gather breadfruit for the King, the beauty of the land and its people took my breath away. My mind reeled from the newness of it all. I watched Fletcher‘s life and admired him. I cried when we said goodbye to our Tahitian friends. As we sailed back to England, Captain Bligh became increasingly disgruntled. He was mean to everyone, including his friend, Mr. Christian. Suddenly Fletcher couldn’t take it anymore, took over the ship, and set Bligh adrift! This act went against everything he believed. Suddenly I realized if Fletcher Christian could do that, so could I.
I was too young to understand what had happened to me in that moment, but I knew passion and focus had been ignited.
My childhood became increasingly difficult, and there was nothing I could do except sail on the Bounty hundreds of times in my mind’s eye.
In 1985, I went to Tahiti. I stood where my hero mustered the passion and courage to mutiny against his own complacency and those who attempted to imprison his spirit. I rode the waves the Bounty had sailed.
In 1990 I sailed the HMS Bounty that was built for the 1962 film. I stood on the deck alone. I raised my fists to the heavens and spoke silently to those who had tried to imprison my spirit.
“You said my dreams wouldn’t come true, that I would never be enough, and the Bounty was just a movie. Well, here I am, living my dream sailing on the inspiration for the beauty of my life. Yesterday, I shook hands with a direct descendent of my hero and as I did I reached back into the centuries with gratitude. Now I know anything can happen. Next stop, Pitcairn!”
Carol Lynn Fletcher is an author, intuitive, and artist. She owns businesses that inspire clients to be all that they can and want to be. Carol Lynn lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She can be reached at CL@fletcherbiz.com, www.FletcherBiz.com and EnergeticBiz.com.
Sabrina Jones
Heroism requires both mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty and adversity. It requires fortitude. Some people may not consider single parenthood heroism, but for the single parents I know, what they do does not fall short of the description. Being a parent is difficult whether you are married or not. However, there is something terrifying about being responsible for another life or lives, knowing that whatever decisions you make may positively or negatively affect them forever—and you’re doing it alone.
Perhaps you have a best friend, a single mom of two girls. One is in graduate school and one is in middle school. This friend is also a full-time college student, working full-time, and a mom full-time. Her youngest is involved in dance, basketball, girl scouts, and other extra-curricular activities. This mom is doing everything herself and doing it rather well. Or you have a sister who raised a daughter basically on her own. That daughter is now a doctor at the most prestigious hospital in the country. It wasn’t easy doing it alone, but she raised her daughter to be the exceptional, confident woman she is today. Another friend has two daughters and two grandchildren. She could probably be voted “Nana of the Year” or “Shuttle Driver of the Year.” She is always on the go, doing for her family and lending a helping hand to others. There are also some great single fathers out there as well. Maybe you have a brother. A retired military man who immediately submitted his retirement papers after his wife of 25 years suddenly passed away. He is now raising two daughters on his own and doing it marvelously. Or maybe you are a single parent yourself. You have a wonderful son. He is intelligent, talented, well-mannered, and a joy to raise. Although there have been some rough patches along the way for these parents, I know they are all doing what they have to do and they are doing it well.
Whatever the individual story may be, I’m sure any single parent you may know could use a few words of encouragement every now and then. Or maybe you could lend a helping hand here or there. Take a moment or two to let them know they are doing a great job. Heroes need validation too, especially the single parents.
Sabrina Jones resides in North Carolina with her son Jordan. She is a devoted sister, friend, volunteer, seafood lover, and sports fanatic. E-mail her at EmpoweredBeauty@aol.com.
Chrissy Caeliss
When I think of the heroes of 9/11, both the ones living and the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice, my heart is filled with sadness, as well as pride for the heights humanity is capable of. We honor the 9/11 heroes with deepest appreciation.
Today I also want to honor a different group of people who play an important role in heroism—the storytellers.
How would we know about the heroic acts of bold men and women without the often quiet witnesses who record the deeds? Where would we draw inspiration to nourish our ability to act in our highest capacity, without the stories of heroes who have come before us, and the trials and the determination that made them extraordinary? What guide would we have to show us what heroism is, without our bards, our chroniclers, our narrators?
So today I want to honor our storytellers: the writers who tell stories with their pens, the actors who tell stories with their bodies, the songwriters who tell stories with their poetry, and the musicians who tell stories with their music.
Thank you for inspiring us to great deeds.
Thank you for keeping the memories of our heroes alive.
Thank you for reminding us to be the best we can be.
Chrissy Caeliss shows you how to write a new script for your life so you can live in your greatness and shine your light no matter what. This is how you create your own Happily Ever After! You can find her at www.BoostYourVibe.com.
Linda A. Distler
We all have many experiences and challenges we go through in a lifetime. The person you are today was molded from tests like these:
The birth of your children was an experience that taught you unconditional love, patience, faith, and hope. You would do anything for your children—even die for them. They are the best gift God could have given you.
Moving far away from family was heartbreaking, and yet you learned to adjust, enjoy the experience, and meet new and interesting people because you are so outgoing.
Then the most devastating event in your life happened—a divorce that took you to the depths of hell physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Yet, when things were so dark, you saw a light that you followed out of the tunnel of hell, finding God, hope, strength, self-love, independence, love, happiness, and freedom. Finding your self-worth showed you how much you had lost yourself in the marriage and how unloved, worthless, and lost you felt.
Cancer, the big “C” came into your life, along with the fear of the unknown. Will I live, or die soon? How am I going to get through this? You found strength and support in your family, fellow teachers, and friends. You decided that if you had to go through this adventure, you could be positive or negative. It was your choice. The biggest thing you learned was that your positive attitude helped get you through surgery, chemo, losing your hair, and radiation. You now are starting your sixth year cancer- free and a survivor.
You discovered that if you could make it through all that you have experienced, you can get through anything. Your experiences and challenges have made you the hero within yourself.
Linda A. Distler is a retired teacher, baby boomer, and creative, adventurous woman who has reinvented her life and become an Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur, and Business Owner. Connect with her at www.TheTravelPetSitterDogWalker.com or Facebook.com/LindaDistler.
Joyce Heiser
To a seventh grader, he seemed ancient. In retrospect, he was probably only ten years older, a recent college graduate at his first teaching job.
Paul Carlson was born to teach. His natural love and enthusiasm for teaching flowed into his English and history classes. Those classes soon became my favorites.
I’d always loved school, made good grades, and was considered a good student. My teachers’ written comments reflected that. However, they were all concerned about my shyness. It started in kindergarten with: “Joyce is a polite and well-mannered little girl and a joy to have in class, but I’m concerned about her shyness.”
Similar comments followed each year. Although true, these comments were so hurtful to an already overly sensitive girl that I began to dread report cards.
I hoped junior high would be different…
At the end of the first grading period of seventh grade, I took my report card home. I handed it to my mother, and she looked at it immediately. As expected, my grades were good. Then she started to read the comments. First was Mr. Carlson’s, written not only as my English and history teacher, but also as my homeroom teacher.
It was short and to the point. “Joyce has great leadership potential.” Not a word about my shyness.
Me, with leadership potential? Who would have guessed? Obviously not my kindergarten through sixth grade teachers!
As I look back, I wonder what Mr. Carlson saw that my other teachers missed. Or were they just more concerned about the negative aspect of my personality, and he the positive? I guess I’ll never know. What I do know is that his words made me think. I realized that I didn’t just have leadership potential, I was already a leader. Leadership was part of my identity.
In spite of my shyness, I was always surrounded by a group of friends who instinctively looked to me to lead. I was always chosen first and made captain of any team, and I guided any group I was part of to make good decisions. I’d never thought of those things as leadership traits. To me, they were doing what came naturally, what I was good at and loved—leading.
Thank you, Mr. Carlson, for your insightful words so many years ago. My name plus four words that helped me begin to focus on a strong positive trait and learn to minimize the negative one I’d heard about for so many years. Words that helped me focus on becoming an even stronger, more capable leader in my adult years.
Joyce Heiser is an inspirational author from the Midwest who enjoys writing devotionals and personal essays. She is published in several anthologies, on the Web, and in newsletters and print magazines. Her website is www.JoyceHeiser.com.
Margaret G. Holmes
Maybe it was the Coat of Many Colors that caught my attention at an early age. The story of a confident, skilled young man who was rejected by family resonated with me. Joseph showed leadership with his family, although they scoffed at him for his brashness. He showed leadership in private business until Potiphar’s wife got him sent to prison. Joseph even showed leadership in prison.
I am always encouraged when I read the story of Jacob and Rachel’s son, Joseph. He shows that no matter what the circumstances of life, it is our response to those events that matters the most. With God’s help, any situation can be used for good, even if others intended it for evil.
The story of Joseph can be found in Genesis 30-50. Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” (Genesis 41:38)
Margaret G. Holmes, Christian leader, author, and speaker, lives on a West Texas sheep ranch with her husband. Check out her Facebook page, Margaret’s Chalkboard.
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Elisabeth Balcarczyk
“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”
—Ryonosuke Satoro
When I first met Anna Halprin, I was immediately fascinated with her presence, her natural charisma, and her authenticity that stems from her love for what she does and her outstanding humanity. She is a pioneer, a dancer, an artist, a choreographer, a leader, a teacher, a mentor, an activist, an inspirational force, a catalyst of peace and healing, a parent, a grandparent, a humanist. But none of these descriptions lives up to who she really is. As a dancer, choreographer, and artist, she explored new paths for Modern Dance and took it to places that have been groundbreaking and influential over the last several decades. Anna has a rare and special gift to connect her students with their bodies so that they can be truly at home within them and experience healing through movement. Movement is at the heart of Anna’s work—literally and metaphorically.
Mt. Tamalpais—a spiritual place—lost its innocence in 1981. A serial murderer, called the “trailside murderer,” killed five women who peacefully walked the trails. The local community was shocked by this outrageous crime, and the mountain was closed to the public. When Anna and her husband Lawrence, who both lived and worked at Mt. Tamalpais, heard about this terrible atrocity, they decided to act: they intended to make the mountain accessible to the public again after a ritual act of peace and healing. Anna created a two-day project that became a legendary event. She gathered the dancers of her Tamalpa Institute for a powerful dance ritual “in the mountain,” dedicated to the Miwaks, the original inhabitants of this area. For the second part of the ritual that was to take place “on the mountain,” she got a special permit to access the mountain—with 80 members of her all-ages group from Marin County.
In an act of peace, hope, love, and trust, they danced, sang, prayed, and silently meditated to clear the mountain of the violence imposed upon it, and to reclaim their spiritual center. They marked the places the murders happened by performing songs, meditations, and poems to acknowledge the tragedy and to demonstrate the community’s longing to help Mt. Tamalpais recuperate. Two days after the ritual, the police received an anonymous call with critical information about the murderer, who was captured shortly after. One year later, Anna performed a gratitude ceremony resembling the first one. Don Jose Mitsuwa, a 107-year-old Native American shaman, offered his services and performed a shamanic healing ritual and tribute to nature, the Dance of the Deer, at Mt. Tamalpais. According to him, Anna and her community had performed a healing ceremony that was in alignment with shamanic rituals. He said that to guarantee sustainable healing of the mountain, she would have to perform the ritual for five years—so she did. That was the start of the “Planetary Dance,” performed all over the world ever since—for healing and peace.
Elisabeth Balcarczyk, MA, CPCC, is an Authentic Communication & Leadership Coach living in Germany and working with clients internationally. As certified coach, certified yoga teacher, and author, she integrates her vast experience in holistic leadership in the form of coaching programs, workshops, and books.
Michelle Larson
I struggle to name just one personal hero because I have been blessed to know so many. My husband, our kids, my parents, teachers, coaches, friends, family, and total strangers have gifted me by touching my life with their heroism. One of the amazing things about these heroes is that they do not even know that they have done anything heroic by their words, actions, or deeds. They live their lives quietly in a way that makes sense to them, practicing the unwritten code of the hero, and the world is a better place for it.
To my mind heroes never boast of being a hero, they simply are heroes, inspiring others with their persistence to step in and step up to whatever challenge is presented to them. If the challenge knocks them down, they show a hero’s courage by picking themselves up and trying again until the challenge is vanquished. Challenges come in all shapes and sizes, just like heroes. One of the other incredible things about heroes is that age is never a factor. It does not matter how young or old heroes are, they are still heroes as long as they have the heart to stand for their convictions and the mettle to see their dreams come true.
It is important to remember that heroes are not perfect. Heroes cannot be expected to be heroic 24/7. There are setbacks and disappointments even for the brightest and the best of heroes. There are times when heroes feel less then heroic—they feel downright average. But when the going gets rough, the heroes amongst us are the ones giving it their all.
Michelle Larsen lives in Santa Rosa, Calif.
Stephanie Mullani
My grandmother had an extraordinary culinary gift. Baking was her specialty, and no matter what she whipped up, the result was pure gold. People always came to her when they wanted help celebrating a special occasion. She was officially known as “the cake lady” in our town, but to all who knew her best, she was so much more.
As a child, I certainly lapped up all the goodness she heaped on me through her delectable gifts, but as an adult I came to see that food was merely one of the many ways she served people.
I tried many times to mimic the flavors of grandma’s recipes, but it always seemed like I was missing an ingredient. One day, it finally dawned on me. What I was searching for that eluded me was not something that could be found in a book, or stored in a recipe box. It was not something you could pull out of the pantry for a special occasion. The perfect ingredient I searched for that she added to every recipe was her love, which she dispensed daily in every undertaking, big and small. The time I had spent with her in the kitchen or on the phone asking about ingredients wasn’t about a cup of flour or a tablespoon of sugar after all. All these years, she had been giving me a living recipe that was beyond measure. It was the greatest recipe she possessed by far—her recipe for life itself.
Grandma showed me that we have all the ingredients we need to become heroes. Through her, I learned that it is one thing to keep a recipe in a box and ingredients in the pantry, never putting them—or us—to the test. It is another thing altogether to take the ingredients life gives us and do something extraordinary with them. My grandma had an incredible understanding that the trials of life are unavoidable “ingredients” that we must use in our life recipe. I discovered that it was through the challenges of my grandmother’s life that she became a masterpiece. She was an alchemist of the highest sort, able to transform anything life handed her into something better.
A great messenger may die, but the message never does….or in the case of grandma, her great recipe. Though I miss her physical presence in my life, her spirit is kept alive whenever I remember and pass on her greatest recipe:
Anything can be transformed with love. Take the stuff of this life, and do something extraordinary with it.
Stephanie Mullani is a wife, mother, and inspirational author. She can be reached at StephanieMullani@gmail.com.
Jump into Your Dreams and Become a Hero
Luz Liliana Garcia
I saw myself walking the trail up to the entrance of a cave high upon a mountain. Usually, at the entrance, guruji Paramahansa Yogananda greets me enthusiastically. However, on this day, something seemed different. Yogananda did not greet me, and as soon as I reached the mouth of the cave, I heard a voice, but no words. It was a “knowing” deep inside my head that sounded like an echo resonating throughout the entire cave, saying: “JUMP!” I thought: “Did Yogananda say jump?” Then I heard it again: “JUMP!” My head was filling up with all kinds of reasons for not doing it. Then, I thought: “If Yogananda said jump, then I must jump.” Then, without hesitation, I turned around, took off running, and jumped from the mountain!
As I reflected on who my heroes are, I concluded that all the people I admire and consider my heroes had a few things in common. Most of them had ordinary lives, but at some point they felt dissatisfied with their lives and found themselves doing jobs that they did not really enjoy. They felt they were selling their souls in order to pay their bills. Their dissatisfaction became unbearable, and they had to make a choice: live an unhappy and unfulfilled life, or trust the small inner voice urging them to take a resounding leap into the unknown. That voice urged them to follow their dreams without a guarantee that their dreams could ever be fulfilled. However, these individuals listened with conviction, summoned their courage, and jumped. So thank you Robin Lynn, Doreen Virtue, Carolyn Myss, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, Baeth Davis, and all the others who have followed their inner voices and taken the leap to follow their dreams. It takes courage to go against all odds, against all conventions, and against what others think to follow one’s own vision. Thus, my heroes’ examples have been an inspiration for me to gather my courage slowly and surely to make the leap and jump into the unknown to follow my own dreams. My heroes’ lives have been an inspiration to me.
THANK YOU TO MY PERSONAL HEROES!
Luz Liliana Garcia, PhD, helps people heal themselves from self-imposed limitations wherever they show up, such as is in their careers or relationships, so they can just take action without excuses and stand in the brilliance of who they are. Find her at www.HealYourLimitations.com.
Cat Traywick
Throughout the year, and especially on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we remember and celebrate the brave firefighters, police officers, and workers in the New York City Twin Towers. We remember the first responders at the Pentagon, the civilians and military personnel who lost their lives. Who can forget the airplane full of people who chose to sacrifice their lives in a violent crash into a Pennsylvania field to keep the terrorists from succeeding? We will never forget their heroic act of bravery. Sadly, I lost friends and former colleagues on that day. I mourned for the families that they left behind. Not one of these everyday people woke up that morning planning to be heroes. These everyday heroes had the sense of purpose and the fortitude (OK, guts) to do what they knew they had to do. That day’s events brought out a pride and patriotism that hadn’t been seen since the end of WWII. (My wardrobe began to fill up with lots of red, white, and blue. Did you start wearing patriotic colors too?) People everywhere began to help others and to change their own lives in the process.
As the families, co-workers, and survivors left behind coped with the shock, they went on with their lives in a million different ways. Some continued with their normal work and activities. Others suffered such loss and fear that even today they are still trying to cope and still can’t move on. Some found new purpose and made big changes in their life. They chose new careers, went back to school, or rented a moving van and moved on. People realized the importance of having strong and healthy relationships with their friends and families. I read that there was a rush of marriage proposals after the attack, as couples realized how much they loved each other and looked for commitment—an unexpected gain for bridal consultants and jewelers.
My heroes are the everyday people who decide to make a commitment to live their life well, to find their true purpose, and make a difference. After 9/11, people stood up, brushed themselves off, and began to make a difference. Some young men and women joined the armed forces, others chose to become police officers and firefighters, and others felt a calling to the medical field or divinity schools. Heroes bloomed everywhere. Sometimes these heroes would fail in their new mission in life, but they didn’t give up. As I work with clients making transitions and adjustments in their life paths, I see strength and clarity in their life’s purpose build. The way they live their lives fits the old proverb, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” These are real heroes in my eyes. They don’t give up on themselves or others easily, they believe in doing the right thing, and they believe that persistence pays off in the end. I salute these everyday heroes.
Cat Traywick is a Life Success Coach working with midlife people to create strategies and make life or career changes. She also works with adults with ADD, to develop self-management skills, improve self-image, and realize goals. Reach Cat at www.CCTCoaching.com, Cat@cctcoaching.com, or on her Facebook page, CCT Coaching.
Lee Ann Seaman
My most vivid memories are of sitting in his lap in the huge wooden rocking chair next to the dining room table—a little whisker-rub here, a little tummy-tickle there. I remember the way he sorted puzzle pieces onto boards before the family arrived so that everyone could build their part of the puzzle. I remember the cart he built for the grandchildren to ride in behind the oversized lawn mower on Sunday afternoons in the summer.
To his grandchildren, he was jovial and kind, his large-print bible in German always nearby on his bureau. To his children, he was a strict father with high standards for dress, decorum, and achievement. To the US government, he was a willing soldier in World War I. To the farmers surrounding his small town, he was an inventor who provided machinery they needed. To the down-and-out, he was a job- and shelter-provider until they got their feet back on the ground. To the wildlife, from the geese at the lake to the squirrels in his yard, he was the lifeline to free corn. To his younger sister, he was a savior who pulled her clear of an oncoming train that killed his mother.
In my adult life, he has become my hero. Perhaps in my childhood he was already my hero, as I can remember the moment my mother told me he passed, the date never forgotten. He never talked about the large or small events that shaped his being. He just loved. He reached out. He built bridges as he built inventions.
He was son and stepson, brother to thirteen siblings, husband, father of five, father-in-law to three, grandfather to eleven, inventor to countless farmers, employer and landlord to numerous men, soldier to millions, and my compassionate hero.
Lee Ann Seaman is the Founder of Twin Cities Concierge, a personal concierge service, in Minneapolis, Minn. Get in touch at www.TCConcierge.com.
Linda Williams
My personal hero is my blue-eyed husband, Stephen, who served in the Air Force for 27 years. He was stationed at the Pentagon on 9/11, and I am so grateful for his safety and continued presence in my life. As a member of the military, he belongs to the group of people who are devoted to the safety, protection, and betterment of others. You see this belief manifested in many people, such as firefighters, policemen, teachers, soldiers, and search and rescue teams. They create the quality of the society, because they do their work out of belief in the mission, not for the dollar reward. The respect shown by their behavior embodies the belief that we are all on this ship called Earth, and if we work together we increase the benefits for all who live on this planet.
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
—John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Linda Williams, RN, aka Nurse Linda, lives in Northern Virginia with her spouse, retired Air Force Colonel Stephen Williams. Linda works as an Occupational Health Nurse at the Federal Trade Commission. Linda is a member of The Sacred Medical Knights of HOPE (Hospitallers Order of Physicians and Ecclesiae). Visit her website at www.NurseLinda.com.
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Carol Meade
Most people think of heroes as those who have done something grand. Done something brave. Done something, well, heroic. I get that. Sometimes, though, these acts of heroism occur more subtly, spanning many years and many miles. Sometimes these acts of heroism are understated, not grand. I am honoring a few who are, to me, heroes of the heart.
I am fortunate to know many heroes and have a few friends who I believe have led extraordinary lives. I happen to know people who have sacrificed greatly and “lived simply so that others could simply live.” Three “yokefellows” of mine stand out for their contributions.
My friend Tracy, who started her career as a registered nurse, is now a human rights general of sorts—a force to be reckoned with—leading well-trained teams of medical people to Burundi, Kenya, and other remote regions of our world to set up medical care for people who have none, for people with an infant mortality rate 15 times that of that of the United States. She births hope to those without any hope…a true genesis project. Tracy’s humility and sharp-minded analysis, coupled with the mercy and energy she brings to all she does is awe-inspiring to me.
Diane works for NASA by day, but her heart is completely given over to adoption. She is creating methods of adoption that are way outside the box. Her vision is big, and her heart of gold is driving this passion to find homes for kids previously considered to be “unadoptable.” She is herself a mother of three adopted children whose lives have been profoundly changed by Diane’s heroism. Her business acumen, brilliance, and heart inspire me every time we talk.
Third in this triple crown of friends is Jeannie. She is amazing, talented, creative, dedicated, smart, and wise. She has, with raw courage and undaunted perseverance (another “superhero trait”), written a unique musical of the story of Noah like nothing ever seen before. It was a heroic effort, a tireless pursuit, and a dream realized. Moreover, she has raised three superhero children who definitely WILL change the world they live in, without any doubt! She has heroically allowed each of her children to be fully themselves—giving them opportunities to grow, learn, and express their talents in ways I cannot imagine occurring in my own upbringing. I admire the gift she has given them. Her bravery, insight, encouragement, and consistency have greatly inspired me in my own parenting.
These three women, just by being who they were created by God to be, are superheroes to me. I’m changed for knowing them. They are part of an entourage of heroes I have known and loved, learned from, and been greatly enriched by. People who inspire me to rise up to be my best self in moments when I feel like giving up are a big part of what a hero is to me.
Carol Meade is a Life Coach, helping Baby Boomer women get their lives back! Friendly and faith-based, she creates customized solutions for each client. Carol imparts common sense, wisdom,and clarity, assisting her clients to overcome hindrances to success and create balance in their lives. You can find her at www.CarolMeade.com.
Inspiration and Personal Heroes
Doreen R. Dilger
To me, heroes are those who make a difference and inspire others. I am very grateful to those who continue to inspire me every day. But I don’t have just one person who inspires me. The world is filled with inspirational people. Some of these individuals are within my own circle of family and friends, but we are all inspired by those individuals who have changed our world. I speak of the inventors of products, artists who dazzle us with their art, people who devote their lives to helping others, those who work countless hours to help cure diseases, those who join the military to protect our country, others who go into professions that help protect the community, people who had to go through enormous pain to conquer physical and medical obstacles, those who teach and empower us, those who write to educate us, and those who entertain us.
As the tenth 9/11 anniversary approaches, we are reminded of the individuals who lost their lives and those who we call our heroes. This moment gives us the opportunity to be thankful to those who have passed and for those who continue to be our personal heroes.
I don’t need to turn on the TV or have a tragic event happen to find inspirational heroes. Inspiration is found everywhere you look. The people in my own circle of family and friends are my daily inspiration. They inspire me through setting a good example, caring for others as well as themselves, encouraging and supporting others, sharing their experiences, both good and bad, communicating their personal stories, and challenging me whenever possible. The inspiration, empowerment, and education we receive from our personal heroes are the ultimate gifts—gifts we receive on a daily basis.
Doreen R. Dilger is The Home Based Business Coach who empowers, educates, and inspires women who work from home to utilize specific goals and systems to accomplish more. For free publications and more information go to www.DoreenDilger.com.
Lynn Jordan
Writers know that a reader must be able to identify with a hero or heroine. Heroes are ordinary people who step up in times of crisis to perform extraordinary acts. The men and women in law enforcement are our friends, neighbors, and family members. They are people we see every day in stores, walking their dogs, at worship, or at school committee meetings.
Writers also know that true heroes must face conflict. Heroes of law enforcement are no different. These brave men and women go to work every day to face dangerous situations so that we may live our lives in safety and ignorance of the most sordid acts of our fellow men.
While it’s true that most officers never fire their service weapons, they can walk into danger in the most routine situations. A traffic stop can become deadly without warning. An unknown person in a vehicle could be simply a distracted driver, a felon with warrants, or even a driver under the influence of dangerous drugs. Anything can, and does, happen, in a matter of seconds.
Domestic violence calls can cause both parties to unite in their efforts to harm the responding officers. Every knock on a door takes the officers into an unknown situation. Yet they keep stopping cars and knocking on doors.
I learned to appreciate these heroes from my father, who served as a deputy sheriff in a rural Texas county. In those days, alcohol was the drug of choice for most, especially in this dry county. Manufactured drugs were virtually unknown and not pervasive as they are today.
Still, as the only deputy in the western half of the county, he served on call 24/7, ready to face any problem that arose outside of the city limits of our small town. Many nights, after patrolling for hours, he would be awakened to respond to an emergency. One such emergency was a serious automobile accident involving my best friend, although he didn’t recognize her because her face was covered with blood.
The qualities that made him a good officer also made him a good man. These qualities exist in abundance in the ranks of law enforcement heroes everywhere. He believed the best about people, even in the face of ample evidence to the contrary. He acted fairly toward all. He held fast to a true desire to see justice done. He did his best to pass these values on to me. I really hope he succeeded. I know that every day I’m grateful for him and for all the heroes of law enforcement.
Lynn Jordan empowers writers to use technology to write and promote better, faster, and easier. You can find her at www.AuthorsToolsBlog.com.
Winnis Chiang
Four days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, three of us arrived at our son’s college and lined up for freshmen move-in service. When we reached the front, strong college students unloaded the belongings of our teenager into a canvas container and rolled the huge container through winding pathways connecting different buildings.
Before long, everything was in the upstairs suite where Scott would live with five other guys. He eagerly set up his PC and printer with Dad watching. To make sure everything worked, they took turn checking e-mails and surfing the Web. As soon as I finished making his extra-long bed, my husband James said, “It’s time to go.” Caught by surprise, I replied, “Let’s help him get his books.”
The bookstore was packed, but Scott quickly found all his books and paid for them. When James said, “Let’s go” again, I looked at my watch. “Hey, it’s almost noon, let’s have lunch. We can stay a couple more hours.”
As we walked toward the cafeteria, somehow we all grew quiet. I wondered, “Why the rush? Why are they so eager to part?” but didn’t say anything. I remembered some friends telling me how their teenagers begged them not to leave. Going to college was supposed to be a happy event, and we had prepared for it. However, with what had happened just four days earlier, I couldn’t help worrying. I also thought about how I never saw my mom again after I left Hong Kong to attend college in California.
Suddenly, I panicked about never seeing my son again.
I was still hiding my feelings when we sat down. But Scott noticed tears welling in my eyes and asked, “Mom, what’s wrong?” As soon as I opened up, we felt like our family again. As it turned out, James and Scott had tried to go about doing what needed to be done, yet my unspoken sadness, disappointments, anxieties, worries, and fears caused them to feel stressed. They sensed my frustration and anger and withdrew to avoid conflicts.
After lunch I suggested, “Let’s take pictures of your campus. Mom will be on her way in a couple of hours.” We all started laughing at my delay tactic. Two hours later, James took our last photo. My almost six feet tall son wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I had tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. I acknowledged the blessing of having him at home for 18 years. I had no regret as I accepted, “It’s time to let him go.”
James and I arrived home at almost midnight, and there was an e-mail waiting for us. “Dear Mom and Dad, Hope you get home safely. Thanks for everything. I’m going to church tomorrow morning with the guy we met this morning. Good night.”
My heroes are parents who are committed to: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
Winnis Chiang, MA, LMFT, is the founder of www.ParentingABC.com. She specializes in helping Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking parents to get along with, enjoy, and influence their American-born Chinese children according to their Christian faith. She also works with her husband to train, mentor, and coach couples towards lifelong intimacy.
Compassionate Heart Facing Death
Arnina Kashtan
He was a pediatrician and an author.
She was a scholar and an author.
Both died during the Holocaust, refusing to desert their closest ones, moved by the highest call of the human spirit.
Janusz Korczak, 64 years of age at the time of his death, chose to go with the 196 children of his orphanage when they were evacuated by the Nazis and sent to the extermination camps. A respected personage, he was offered refuge by the Nazis. But the teacher and mentor of these orphans marched with them through the city streets—all dressed up for what they believed, as he had told them, would be a fantastic trip to the countryside—mounted the transportation train with them, and disappeared forever.
“The very stones of the street wept at the sight of the procession,” wrote an eyewitness.
Etty Hillesum, 29 years of age at the time of her death, chose to remain with her family and serve the Jewish community in Westerbork detention camp in Holland, until she was deported and exterminated at Auschwitz in 1943. In her breathtaking diaries, written between 1941 and 1943 and published in English in 1983 as An Interrupted Life, Etty utters the impossible. She finds, in her heart, what a young, frightened man—a Nazi soldier—might be feeling, that enables him to perform the most atrocious acts towards another human being.
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