My hero(s)

I've been troubled by this for a while. I don't know why I am, but I am. You know they ask kids who is your hero. When was the last time that you asked yourself that question? I have been pondering this question for a couple of months now. I haven't been able to think of who my hero is. Hell I didn't even know where to start.

I first had to find out what the word meant. It felt like when you know how to use a word in a sentence, but when someone asks you, what does that word mean. You usually end up at a loss for words. (If you say it hasn't happened to you, you're just not being honest with yourself)

Main Entry: he·ro
Pronunciation: 'hir-(")O
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural heroes
Etymology: Latin heros, from Greek hErOs
1 a : a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability b : an illustrious warrior c : a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities d : one that shows great courage
2 a : the principal male character in a literary or dramatic work b : the central figure in an event, period, or movement
3 plural usually heros : SUBMARINE 2
4 : an object of extreme admiration and devotion : IDOL

Source: http://webster.com/dictionary/hero

After looking at this definition, I wondered what the new age internet dictionary, Wikipedia.org would say.

For other uses, see Hero (disambiguation).

"Heroine" redirects here. For the drug, see heroin.

Sir Galahad, a hero of Arthurian legend, detail of a painting by George Frederic Watts

From the Greek ἥρως (demi-god), in mythology and folklore, heroes were originally the offpsring of mortals and gods.^[1] Later, hero (male) and heroine (female) came to refer to characters that, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage and the will for self-sacrifice, that is, heroism, for some greater good, originally of martial courage or excellence but extended to more general moral excellence.

Stories of heroism may serve as moral examples, impressing a culture's ethical code, especially for the young.^{[citation needed]} In classical antiquity, hero cults, veneration of deified heroes such as Heracles, Perseus, or Achilles, played an important role in Ancient Greek religion. Later emperors employed hero worship for their own apotheosis, that is, cult of personality.

Source: http://webster.com/dictionary/illustrious

The Wiki definition seemed to spell it out for me a little better. It answered my question directly in the context that I was looking for. But if you look at both sources, they both say the same thing. One just says it without provoking a thought in me. (How's that for new age)

c : a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities d : one that shows great courage

I say this with a deep regret. Trying to find someone that fit this for me was a difficult task. Yea sure it would be easy to name a family member or prominent public figure, maybe a celebrity. The celebrity being the person you think you know, when in reality you only the persona that they portray, that makes them money. It is after all they're job to do this. It is us, the public, that wants more and more of this, fakeness, to be lied to. Then there are those prominent public figures that even the celebrities won't, at least the respectful ones, say a derogatory word about. There are very few of those people. The prominent public figures are the ones that seem the most real and human to me, the ones that seem to measure up to the word, hero. Here I am just listing the people, real people, that I have come up with, that in my eyes have the qualities of a hero, and my reasons. While still retaining they're humanity and vulnerability. People I admire, and, that help to inspire me to become a better person.

Carly Fiorina – One of the most successful women in business. She and one of my other heroes have a lot in common. She is a true leader. She came into an "all American" company that was on the decline and guided it through the rough seas. Through determination and persistence, she oversaw the merger with Compaq, and made it work. It was a tough and trying time for all involved. That is why there is supposed to be one leader of a company. She showed grace and poise when it came to her duties and stuck by her convictions when it didn't work out exactly the way it was planned. In the end it cost her job. HP would and the computer industry as a whole would not be where it is today if not for her achievements and noble qualities.

Colin Powell – Here is a man that carries himself with integrity, dignity, and grace, well the grace of a military man. I wish this man would run for president, I'd vote for him. He seems to be above partisan politics. He frequently cites his concern of safety for his family as his biggest reason for not running. I admire that. He put himself on the line during his call up to arms in front of the U.N. after 9/11. He admitted that the evidence that he submitted to the U.N. was probably a mistake. It's this kind of honesty and integrity that can't be bought. Politics aside he is true to himself. For this reason, I call this man my hero.

Oprah – Here is a woman that grew up in small town in Mississippi. She was exposed to racism, and the culture that is the south. (All of these proud white people that have too much pride and are too stupid to realize that the civil war has been over for over a 150 years. Stop being so ignorant, you'll only be left farther behind. Move on!) She has made it on sheer determination and will with the grace of God, to the top of the heap, in the media world. A world has for so long been run by men, has built herself an empire, that as gained her an immense amount of wealth and prestige. We've all heard the stories that she is a little racist herself. Nevertheless she is someone that has worked very hard for what she has. I admire her courage and vision.

This list will be amended and updated.