We live in a world without Superheroes, but in a world that is just like the world that they live in, in children's books and stories. In a world where fate works in mysterious ways, where destiny and freewill remain shrouded in a translucent veil, in half light and shadow of their own, and where second chances are rare and welcome.
What is a hero? Who is he?
Is he an extraordinary being, who is beyond pain, beyond sorrow... beyond human weaknesses and human failings, beyond pain? I do not think so... because if he doesn't have any human weakness how will he understand the pain of others which is caused by those very weaknesses. And if he cannot recognize them, how will he deliver us, deliver humanity from that yawning chasm.
No... A hero is a being who feels all human pain sorrow, fear, but he is one who can also overcome the weakness and hurt caused by them.
He is someone who can love us when we deserve it the least, he can endure the harshest of our rejections and can still accept us when we call out to him, he can persevere in the face of overwhelming obstacles and thus Persist!
He believes in the power of faith and the miracle of love and compassion. He is generous, for he gives the gift of himself to us. Yes, he is very human... its just that he chooses to overcome his weaknesses and fortify his strengths.
He believes in the the of life over death, of truth over untruth, of happiness over sorrow, of good over evil and of love over hatred. His beliefs are his principles and he lives by them. Perhaps that is why we idolize him and love him. Our love may be wavering, unsure and unsteady but he loves us still... for his love is capacious, steady and stable and he knows his heart.
He fights our evils, our nemesis, protects our identity, gives us courage to go forward, gives us strength, gives us hope, keeps us honest and helps us to live our lives out in happiness and finally when it is time to go, he allows us to pass on peacefully with an untainted heart free of any trace of remorse or regret.
So even when, even if, the hero is defeated by forces beyond his or our control, we know that in his defeat, He is still greater than what defeated Him. He lives in the depths of each and every soul, and we feel his presence in every little act of random kindness and miracles of goodwill around us...
(P.S. - I do love Manga art heroes)
