The world has a way of following comforting patterns in the way that it exists. There are patterns which define the seasons, the weather, the movement of the sun and even the way human beings and animals behave.
Every time we step out into the world, we usually know what to expect. We know the exact directions to take in order to reach our familiar workplaces or schools. We know the faces we will see upon reaching our respectives destinations. We also know exactly what our roles and responsibilities are going to be during the course of each and every day.
Unfortunately, the world also has a way of surprising us in the most unexpected ways. Sometimes, we are caught off-guard and forced to face situations that we may never have believed that we would have needed to face.
The truth is that one day, we may find that the path to our usual destinations is blocked. We may find that there are new people to meet while our closest colleagues have moved away. We may grow accustomed to familiar patterns, but there is always a chance that we may have to experience a day where nothing follows its usual pattern – where our values and our stability will be the only thing that remains constant.
The process of developing a strong identity – the process of becoming a good person takes an entire lifetime. Every choice we make, every action and even every thought that we have defines who we are. However, as we continue to experience the various facets of life, we may find that the strength of our character is much more important than its quality. Being a good person is truly not as important as remaining a good person when we face a situation that tests our ability to remain true to our values.
Recently, I discovered that heroes are far more real than we may believe. There are thousands of stories of incredible people who have saved lives and helped people out of difficult situations even when it meant that their own lives may be put at risk.
For instance, there is the story of 71-year-old William Ayottte in Canada who stood against a bear with nothing more than a shovel just to protect one of his neighbours. There is the story of Joseph Blackson, who in 2018, gave his own life to save 13 people who had been thrown overboard in a boat accident in Nigeria. There are stories of numerous historical figures who through sheer bravery, changed the lives of entire populations. There are people in various professions who risk their lives every single day just to help humanity.
As we grow, we are handed the crucial responsibility of not just being good people, but also of taking care of those who share this world with us.
One day, we may face a situation where the strength of our character is tested. So, in the midst of a disaster, an emergency or a completely unexpected situation, what would you do? Who would you choose to become?
