CREATING HEROES

Children are empowered when they recognize they can become their hero. A hero is chosen because he or she possesses desired attributes – strength, power, brains, beauty and/or special talents. Often children think of heroes as larger than life; the famous, the mystical, and the mythical. Identifying with a heroic figure is a very effective way to conquer a difficult issue or a difficult time in life.

As children, in our minds, we take on the hero’s attributes and we become them. We are transformed from feeling incapable to feeling empowered by this magical process. We believe ourselves to be the hero. As children become older, they lose belief in this process. Yet, the creative power of our minds does not end at eight or ten years of age.

Another aspect of creating heroes is recognition of people in daily life who possess the attributes we would like to have. The ability to be more fun, the ability to have more friends, the ability to be more helpful, the ability to throw a ball harder and, the ability to be more generous, the ability to run faster – are all examples of attributes possessed by people we know.

When children speak of someone they like, ask what attribute(s) that person has that is/are so appreciated.

“What is it about them you like so much?”
“Is that something you would like to have (or to be)?”
“How would you feel if you could do that?”
“How would your life be different if you could do (or be) that?”
“Did you know you could choose to have it?”

Some attributes come easily and some require work to achieve. If it is important to us to achieve it, we are willing to work for it.

Let you children hear you express an attribute you admire in someone. Share how you think your life would be better if you had more of that quality yourself. How do you plan to acquire it?

It is very empowering to recognize in ourselves the qualities we admire in others.