By UN Journal Lee Jon-young
The word ‘hero’ is often misunderstood. It's easy to think of them as someone who wields spectacular force or is cheered by the masses, but in reality, the word comes from the ancient Greek myth of the “half-god, half-man” and refers to people of exceptional courage and determination who acted for the good of humanity. In this regard, we should be able to clearly distinguish between a true hero and an arrogant person in power.
True heroes often have the following “prayer of equanimity” as their life motto: "O God, I pray to you. “Oh, God, give me the equanimity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to distinguish between the two.”
They act in accordance with their principles, without regard for what others think of them. Their core values are altruism and universal welfare, and they are willing to die for them. Unlike politicians who merely preach justice with their words, they walk the walk.
Their lives are imbued with humility, patience, kindness, persistence, spirituality, and deep insight. They act in silence and change the world with inner equanimity. These are the true heroes that humanity should honor.
History is full of great names. Confucius, Lao Tzu, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, Joan of Arc, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and many others are remembered as timeless heroes. But the point is, in every era and country, there have always been unsung heroes.
They didn't do things for their own fame, but for the quiet actions they took to improve the lives of others. They are the unsung heroes who have practiced humanity in the shadows of society, amidst the ravages of war, or in the mundane details of everyday life. They are the truly great.
Today, we often mistake arrogant figures for “strong leaders.” They project military might and power, try to solve every crisis with force, and turn a deaf ear to the opinions of others. They're even willing to use nuclear weapons to secure their power, even if it means destroying the entire human race.
But those who seek to solve problems with military force are not heroes. They react aggressively whenever their egos are threatened, turning war into a profit business. The deals between arms manufacturers and political powers are a prime example of this. Weapons are government-sanctioned violence, and those who reinforce this system are the enemies of humanity.
Many of the political leaders we see today prioritize national interests and downplay international solidarity and universal values. But the future of humanity no longer depends on such “arrogant leaders,” but on new heroes of wisdom, compassion, and courage.
How we cultivate them, how we honor them, and how we judge them is up to all of us. Former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned. "All peoples want peace. It is only their governments that want war."
True heroes don't make waves. They change the world from the seat of their conscience, not the battlefield, with love and dedication instead of weapons. The question we all need to ask now is this. “What kind of world do I want to leave behind?” When we can answer that question with integrity, we can each become a little hero.
