269. Pollinate

I spoke to a student today for a little while who had recognized me from a journal article.  He mentioned that after reading about my work in the military and now listening to me lecture for a bit about my time in war, that he felt something that he couldn’t explain…he’s says, “you’re a hero.”

I stumbled back a bit because I’ve never been called that.  I’ve never been told that I was a hero.  Like many of you, I grew up watching batman and superman cartoons…old school voltron and hell…even care bears who would throw their hands on their hips and fire from their bellies…they were heroes.  Not me.  Most of the time I stumble around and bang my little toe on side tables and here I have some random grad student trying to compare me to a carebear.  Wait…nevermind.  Anyways…

I write about this because on my drive home I had to take a minute and let it sit with me.  What is a hero?  What is the goal of a hero?  All I could think about initially was their drive.   Their ability to stand out and lead others…guide and protect others…stand above and help.  Then I realized, I’m sure all the readers did way before I did…that a hero isn’t these things…a hero is a servant.  A hero is one who gives to others without care for his own.  Without thought about his own well being. 

Therefore, this student wasn’t saying I was a leader or a hero as much as he was saying I was a servant to others.  For me, all I cared about was getting home when I was overseas…that was my end goal.  But in the course of my end goal, I ended up saving and helping others.  So although my goal was in my mind selfish, the path to it was steeped in lots of positive side effects.  Ripples.  Waves.  Movement.

I imagine what it is like to be a bee.  You know…buzz buzz?  A bee has one intention...get the pollen.  Fly to another flower…get the pollen.  Repeat, repeat, and repeat.  He doesn’t even know that as he lands on each flower he ends up carrying and dropping off the necessary things for growth…he creates flowers.  Life.  He has no idea that’s what he does!  He has his own intention but the side effect is life and pollination.  I think this is what makes a hero.  Someone who has their intention…someone who will work towards a goal and aims to complete it but while on his path effects and influences.  Supports and serves.  Gives and builds.  Grows himself through the growing of others…or perhaps…growing others and in effect, growing himself.

Buzz buzz.