Blowing WaterForget the Avengers, we all have the power to be a hero

With Avengers: Endgame mania sweeping the globe, heroism is an ultra hot commodity at the moment. And when we talk about heroism, a few qualities quickly leap to mind, including courage, bravery, selflessness and humility. Every society has and needs heroes because their selflessness can motivate individuals as well as communities. They strengthen connections between people and bind society tightly together, making it stronger. They also elevate and expand our moral capacity, as people work hard to better themselves so they can live up to their idols. The “wow factor” of a hero or a selfless individual comes not just from extraordinary acts but the ripple effect, which can be profound and enduring. In today’s Hong Kong, we desperately need heroes more than ever, especially at a time when society is under strain due to a widening political divide and wealth gap. It might be wishful thinking, but wouldn’t it be great if our political leaders were some kind of hero? Instead of performing superhuman deeds, it would simply be enough to display endearing, noble qualities such as putting others first, being selfless and a little humility to qualify for hero status. Unfortunately, true heroes, like true leaders, are difficult to come by and in short supply these days. How often do we witness our political leaders expressing genuine compassion and care? It is also now uncommon to see our leaders unite people from both ends of the political spectrum. Avengers: Endgame sets multiple records at box office, has highest opening weekend globally of all time I am trying my best not to sound disenchanted, but more often than not, we see leaders display only shallow virtues for show. True heroes accept not only their own people, but everyone, everywhere, because it is far more difficult to show compassion and respect in the face of political and cultural differences. To embrace these differences rather than remain entrenched within the limits and borders of our own kind or comfort is admirable. In this age of divisiveness, when the majority seem content living in isolation, locked in their own virtual e-universe, there is all the more need for real-life heroes – big and small – who possess the restorative power to pull people and communities together. Fortunately, there is a hero inside each of us, if we care to look. The late American civil rights activist and poet Maya Angelou put it aptly: “I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.” Does China’s lead in the global premiere of ‘Avengers: Endgame’ herald a new global distribution strategy for Hollywood blockbusters? Any one of us can be a hero, so long as we are willing to help another person in our best capacity or occasionally even beyond our limits. We can all make changes to advance various causes to better society. This special kind of heroism can unleash the kind of love that has the potential and power to bring people closer than ever and bind society. We need this binding power to counter the disintegrative effects of the shattering forces that fragment and destroy communities. Just begin by helping people around you. I call it the “left and right movement” – by extending help to those near or next to you. Show compassion, empathy, and kindness to your neighbours, colleagues, and even strangers that you come across every day, either on public transport or in any public space. It does not have to be a big, grand gesture – something as simple as offering your seat to someone in need can make a difference. Heroism does not have to be measured on a conventional scale. It can just be everyday acts of kindness by showing selflessness and empathy that come from one ordinary person to another. Avengers: Endgame got China hooked on America’s ass Instead of waiting for or expecting heroic acts to come from someone big and famous, let heroism blossom and come from within ourselves. Make being a hero to someone a full-time occupation. And if you can, maybe even try helping create another everyday life hero by instilling the concept of goodness in others. So don’t ever think one person can’t make a difference, because they certainly can. If everyone believed they could make a difference, then imagine the power of every one of us acting on that heroic thought of, “yes, I can bring change”, or, “yes, I can be a hero today”. Just envision the colossal power of all the combined heroic acts of 7.7 billion individuals – it would certainly beat even the superpowers of all the Avengers put together. Luisa Tam is a senior editor at the Post

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Luisa Tam says heroism lies in every one of us and our capacity to make a difference in society

Luisa Tam says heroism lies in every one of us and our capacity to make a difference in society