Everyday Heroes Are Seldom Recognized for their Deeds

Countless men and women over the ages have stood up to evil despite the risk of harsh reprisal or even death. Everyday heroes have always resisted injustice and faced daily challenges, but their stories are seldom told. 

Here's a few inspiring stories that you probably never heard.

*A pair of 9-year-old twin sisters were hailed as heroes after their quick thinking saved a little girl from drowning at the bottom of a Michigan pool.

* Madison Williams: A 13-year-old girl who, without hesitation, was lowered into a small septic tank opening to rescue a two-year-old boy who had fallen in.

* John Meffert: A fire department captain who, after a plane's engine failed and it landed on a highway, ran through smoke and fire, rescuing the pilot and a passenger just before the plane erupted in flames.

What inspires ordinary individuals to perform heroic acts?

According to Dignity Health

* Empathy and Compassion: people who act heroically often possess a heightened sense of empathy and compassion, allowing them to deeply connect with the suffering of others and feel a strong urge to help.

* Sense of Responsibility and Duty: This stems from a moral conviction or deep-seated belief in doing what is right, even in the face of adversity.

* Personal Values and Principals: Individuals who engage in heroic acts are often guided by strong moral principles that align with their sense of self and purpose. They are willing to make personal sacrifices to defend these values.

It's important to remember that heroism is a complex phenomenon influenced by a variety of interacting factors, not just one single motivator.

In the past, the ideal of heroism was passed down through oral traditions in stories such as the Iliad or Beowulf. When scribes began documenting heroes like William Wallace (Scottish knight) who fought for Scotland's independence against English rule, generations of people read about their national heroes with pride.

However, for every story about a national hero or someone who made the news for a heroic act, there are fifty whose stories go untold. They go to work. They marry. They have children. They stretch every dollar to survive. They are the salt of the earth. People who interact daily with challenges that require courage and fortitude.

As it Stands, according to Dalai Lama XIV, "The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred."