We are story-processing creatures, and the most effective stories are often embodied in people. Living examples of the lesson we’re trying to learn and the posture we hope to model.
Heroes, mentors, martyrs, examples, icons, avatars, archetypes, and even villains.
Sometimes those people are fictional, living in an anecdote and refined to form a legend.
The leverage of media, though, has made history more powerful than any made-up story ever could be.
When we rehearse and amplify the story, we can’t help but make the person less real. The story has a purpose, and its purpose is to remind us of who we could be and how we move forward.
This is what saints do for us. This is why we put pictures on the wall or invoke the memories of the people who came before us.
Reminded of our heroes, we know we can improve. We can work harder for justice, find more compassion and show up as a contribution. We can look at the ordinary moments when someone chose to keep going and realize that choice is available to us as well.
There are so many extraordinary people who have come before. It’s on us to choose our heroes wisely and to do the hard work to honor the contributions they made. Even when it’s difficult and unpopular. Especially then.
Today is a fine day to consider who’s on our wall.