The Hero Of My Own Story

[Gandalf] "I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone." 

"I should think so - in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures.  Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things!  Make you late for dinner!  I can't think what anybody sees in them," said our Mr. Baggins, and stuck one thumb behind his braces [suspenders], and blew out another even bigger smoke-ring.  Then he took out his morning letters and began to read, pretending to take no more notice of the old man.  He had decided that he was not quite his sort, and wanted him to go away.  But the old man did not move.  He stood leaning on his stick and gazing at the hobbit without saying anything, till Bilbo got quite uncomfortable and even a little cross.  - The Hobbit

            

I've always nursed a secret longing for adventure, as I think most people who were once children have. Ah, how many stories have I imagined myself in the hero's place and wondered what I would do in the same circumstances.  The best part about a book is that it allows you to go on an adventure, and if it is a well-written book, you'll find yourself feeling and doing all the same things as the hero.  I can't remember a time when I was without the longing to do something great, to make a difference, just like all the heroes in my books.  And yet, I seem content, you know, to sit at home, blowing the proverbial smoke-rings and snapping my suspenders.  

So here's my question: What kind of story am I writing?  What kind of adventure am I living?  What kind of Hero am I being?  Being of the literary type, I've always tended to see my life as a book, as a story, and well, frankly, at the moment, it's a pretty boring one.  I look for adventure in my books, in my movies, and in my world, but when change comes knocking, I turn it away, drawing my armchair closer to the fire.  I want to be comfortable.  I want to be happy.  Because the realist in me knows I will never go on some grand adventure and change the world, I tend to be content doing nothing. 

Is that so very wrong?

Maybe.

I think everyone has deep inside of them two conflicting values.  One is the longing to do something great, make a difference, and be well-known.  The other is the longing to be comfortable, happy, and alive.  In most 21st century Americans, our longing to be comfortable, happy and alive is significantly stronger than our longing to be the mighty hero of our own story.  I know it's a tad cliche, bu this is my thought for the day.  It seems we often respond to change like Bilbo did to Gandalf.  We say, "Thank you very much, but I'd rather not do something worthwhile.  I'm quite content to spend the rest of my life being comfortable." And we miss a chance for adventure.

There's nothing wrong with being comfortable, but isn't life more than that? Isn't it? Am I really content to simply shove in a closet my desire to do something worthwhile?  I don't remember God calling me to puff smoke-rings in the shire.  I really don't.  I do, however, recollect Him telling me that following Him would be dangerous and uncomfortable.  In which case, why the heck isn't my life an adventure?  Here am I, the "hero" of my story: yet what kind of tale do I have to tell?

Not saying that I'm suddenly going to become a magnificent hero in a fabulous adventure, but having recently spent some time reading about fabulous and meaningful adventures, I'm feeling a little inspired.  Inspired to be the hero of my own story.  I don't pretend to believe that my Hero's Tale will be as magnificent or inspiring as the books I read, but if I never leave my hobbit-hole, I can be certain that the story I write will be about as entertaining as a tub of dishwater. 

It's true, not everyone can be the hero of every story.  But you always have the option to be the hero of your own story.  And believe me, I'm the first to tell myself, "You can't be a hero, you're not special enough." 

It's true, heroes are generally something special.  They usually have something about them that makes them just a little different from the rest of the world.  Most of the us read that and think, "Good gracious, there goes my hopes to be a hero.  I'm nothing magnificent at all." 

But if there's one thing I've learned from my books, it's this: A hero isn't necessarily someone who is really smart or talented.  A hero is someone who knows what is right and does it, no matter how painful it is at the time.  And that's what makes them different and special when compared with the world. 

1. And really, isn't that what God has called us to anyhow? 

          

1. 
   
2. Galadriel: Why the halfling?
3. Gandalf: Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps because I am afraid, and he gives me courage.