Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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December 18, 2007

Heroes, Humans, and a Request About this Life I Own

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 8:14 am

Lauren Marie, and I had a conversation yesterday. In respect for what LaurenMarie said, and because I have felt the same way, I’ve decided to tell you what I’m thinking, even though I’ve not fully worked it out. It’s my hope you’ll find it useful.


I've been thinking . . .

about heroes and humans . . . and the life that I own.

I live to be a hero, but I’m altogether too human.
I could line up in a long, long row the people who would agree with that.

Pendulum learner that I am, I’ve swung from human to hero and back again. No Greek tragic hero has more fatal flaws than I do. — It’s comes with being human to have flaws and imperfections. It’s part of being a hero to admit that you do. If I admit knowing that heroes do that, am I being all too human by saying so?

Thinking too much is one of those imperfect things I do.

The hero in me wants to give myself away, wants to show up and save the world, but like all heroes sometimes I try to live on hope. I give away things of value. Does that teach folks not value them? Is it generous, foolish, or my ego running wild? (Every hero is all too human.) I forget to eat. I don’t sleep. In a strange and sad way, it could be that having my head in the clouds protects me and keeps me safely solitary. No one can hurt me, if I ask nothing in return.

As the stories go, heroes are altruistic folks. Are they all independently wealthy?
I haven’t figured that part out yet.

The human in me needs to care for my friends and family. They so support who I am, and I love them so. Like every human, I have bills and responsibilities. I work to keep my home. It takes human influence to power the hero’s dream. This human has to walk with her feet on the ground. The hero needs the human things to change the world

Heroes think they don’t need things. Humans have trouble asking.

Heroes and humans.
I’m pretty sure that each of us is both.
Still, I can only speak to being me.

Last week, Mike DeWitt said he sees a change coming. He’s genuinely perceptive. I rely on his feedback. I spoke of his comment and other recent experiences to Allan Cox, a gifted author, and he answered with one word, “owning.”

I’ve been thinking of that ever since.
Owning, that’s what the wise man said.

Owning is where the human and the hero meet and become one.

I own my life.
I own who I am and the person I wish to be.
The more of myself I own, the more I can give freely.

I own this request . . . it’s from the human I am to the hero in each of you.
Will send you a relaxed and happy thought to the universe for me and would you pass it on?

I think I could be coming into my own.

Always grateful. Always home.

Liz's Signature




Filed under Motivation/Inspiration, Successful Blog |




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21 Comments to “Heroes, Humans, and a Request About this Life I Own”

  1. December 18th, 2007 at 9:22 am
    saboma said

    Free at last, free at last! Thank God Almighty, I am free at last!

    One of the most freeing moments in life is when one becomes accountable and responsible for one’s actions and reactions.

    Bravo!

  2. December 18th, 2007 at 9:42 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Saboma!
    I think I heard you all the way over here! Thank you, it IS feeling wonderful!

  3. December 18th, 2007 at 9:53 am
    Chris Brogan... said

    Heroes are in jeopardy of many things in our world. Heroes seek things to solve, people to please, folks in need of saving. And yet, there are times where the only demons worth fighting are inside.

    December is my least heroic month. It’s where I falter the most. It’s where I fall down and fail over and over again, mostly in private. And in December, I look back at a lot of times in my life, and wonder what I could’ve done better, who I might have tried harder not to disappoint.

    And yet, December is a month to consider the pending rebirth of our calendars. Our year is coming towards us, full of promise, rife with opportunity to fly our capes.

    You’re a hero and an inspiration, and you have many more interesting battles to face. Pick the ones you want to attack in this coming year, and know that your raving fans are still around you, thinking of you.

  4. December 18th, 2007 at 10:10 am
    LaurenMarie - Creative Curio said

    The more of myself I own, the more I can give freely.

    Oh how true I am discovering that is. Thanks for sharing more of yourself, Liz. As funny as it may seem, the more of the human part you reveal, the more I admire you :)

    You bring up a good point about giving away things of value… I think it depends on who is accepting that gift you are giving. Sometimes, it can change a person’s life because they have never received a kind gift without strings attached. Other times, the person is so jaded that they can’t see the beauty of that gift. I think we just have to be content within ourselves (like above) and know deep down that we’ve done a positive thing. I always like to say “Hi” to the woman who cleans the bathrooms at my work when I see her. I’m not sure if she appreciates it or even cares, but too often I think janitors and the like are overlooked and I want her to know I see her and I’m glad she works here!

    Sending my positive thoughts into the world for you (and me, too)!

  5. December 18th, 2007 at 10:20 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Ah Mr. Brogan,
    You are a wonder. You bring so much to everything you do.

    Thank you for your human thoughts and heroic words. I’m looking forward to the new year as you are. I’m really glad this past year brought me in contact with you.

  6. December 18th, 2007 at 10:33 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi LaurenMarie,
    You’ve added so much to this conversation. That hello is a good word sent out whether it’s received or not. I agree.

    Thank you.

  7. December 18th, 2007 at 10:37 am
    Mike said

    I am so grateful and happy to share heroism and happiness with Liz and all of our brothers and sisters

    Heroes have to have human challenges, lest they forget the feelings of those who genuinely need their help.

    You’re doing great!

    Mike

  8. December 18th, 2007 at 10:42 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Mike,
    Did I forget to add that you’re amazing too? You sure are.

  9. December 18th, 2007 at 10:43 am
    Mike said

    I am so grateful and happy to share heroism and humanity with Liz and all of our brothers and sisters

    [I feel like Neil Armstrong. D'oh!]

  10. December 18th, 2007 at 10:44 am
    Mike said

    Thank you, Liz! Right back at ya!

  11. December 18th, 2007 at 10:47 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Too perfect, Mike,

    It’s your humanity that I love most of all.

  12. December 18th, 2007 at 10:53 am
    Mike said

    Thanks, Liz. I spend a lot more time in human mode than hero mode, but I’m coming to the acceptance that it’s okay if I’m really striving to live my higher purpose. (Which, paradoxically, takes real heroism)

  13. December 18th, 2007 at 11:10 am
    Bob Lucas said

    Murb,

    Heroism is continuing on when you’re scared half out of your mind. It doesn’t really matter what the objective is. If you’re scared, and you keep on trying to get it done anyway, you’re right up there with the legends.

    And what in this world could be scarier than knowing that you are utterly responsible for yourself in this world? That’s the definition of both freedom and fear.

    And so, my brave more-than-friend, take your place in the Pantheon. Ignoring the creaking of my old armor, I lift my rusty sword in salute.

    Lucas

  14. December 18th, 2007 at 11:58 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    So am I, Mike.
    So am I.

    All of us humans do better together. :)

  15. December 18th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Holy cow, Lucas!
    I stare at you here.
    I hear your voice,
    what you say, what you said.

    The gratitude and love is bigger than I am.

    Murb

  16. December 18th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
    Robyn said

    Liz, in reading your blog, I’m so reminded that the pendulum swings within me, too! Thanks for another great offering to keep in mind ahead of the holidays!

  17. December 18th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Robyn,
    You offer so much to all of us. Thank you. Seriously, thank you.

  18. December 18th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
    LaurenMarie - Creative Curio said

    Wow, so many heroes here. I love what everyone has said so far.

    If you’re scared, and you keep on trying to get it done anyway, you’re right up there with the legends.

    …more time in human mode than hero mode…it’s okay if I’m really striving to live my higher purpose. (Which, paradoxically, takes real heroism)

    You all are so encouraging! It makes me feel better about being me, flaws and all :)

  19. December 18th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    LaurenMarie!
    What a miracle you are! You inspired this, you know.

  20. December 18th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
    LaurenMarie - Creative Curio said

    Let’s practice what I’ve learned from you about taking compliments…

    Thank you! It means a lot to hear that from you. *blush*

    I’m glad this topic touched your heart and that you wrote about it here for other people to comment on. I like this conversation very much.

  21. December 18th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi LaurenMarie!
    No worries. You look good in that color — blush. :)

    Thank you for being an inspiration. :)

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