Times For Heroes

Wandering aimlessly around the supermarket doesn't usually inspire, in fact it usually drives me slightly crazy (no comments!) but that is exactly what happened this morning. It wasn't the 'special' offers that caught my attention though, it was the music drifting across speakers. I heard the gruff bark of Van Morrison – a musical legend if there ever was and there was a seed set in my head.

Sometimes I seriously believe I was born at the wrong time as I survey what is commonplace in the 21st century, I struggle to relate with modern concepts and the basis on which they are built. I have already mentioned George Ivan Morrison, the man that I regularly refer to as the man I would like to adopt me, as he is somewhat a 'hero' to me and here comes my point of my post.

As much as I respect a man's music and his style he can't be a real hero to me. How can writing music make him a hero? What is the grounding for that claim? Hero is a word that is now banded about far too easily, apparently David Beckham is a hero, how is that? He kicks a football and many enjoy watching him but his actions are never going to shape the person you become or maybe they are – my problem with the 21st century.

This could quite possibly be me and my unenlightened view but I fail to see where an idol becomes a hero, in my world they are 2 very different things. I can fully comprehend why someone admires the song writing skills of Van Morrison or the footballing skills of Mr Beckham, I can see why people would want to emulate their achievements but would possessing those skills make you a better person?

We live in a time where too many false qualities have been created, the importance of certain virtues have been put on the back burner and devalued. Level of fame, exposure and material wealth outweigh personal attributes that make each and every one of us. The creation of new 'heroes' has blurred the lines for many, especially those that are still developing, no longer is the focus on core values and what I accept to be indispensable life qualities.

Looking once more with my simplistic outlook I ask what should we be looking in our heroes. Is being in the public eye and having wealth more important than moral fibre, respect and courage? Self worth is what we all need to strive towards but I don't believe that can be achieved whilst we are distracted by the unattainable, the falsehoods of modern society.

I do have a hero, he has never lifted the World Cup or sold a million records but he has done something infinitely more important – he has been a model of the person I want to become, morally rich with compassion for all. My idol is my grandfather, a finer man I have never met, if I am half the man he is then I'm very happy.

I have mentioned stepping back and assessing what really counts before, this is very much a case in point. We all have a need for aspirations but there is no need for these to be at the expense of vital components, the basic values that are attainable by all. I see little need to look into the unknown for false heroes when there will be very real ones on your doorstep.

Who would of thought a piece of music in a supermarket could trigger such a chain of thought!

Take care everyone

Enjoy today, look forward to tomorrow