Embracing our own story of resilience and strength

Note: This article is by Mafruha Shifat. Website issues are causing the wrong name to display.

Heroes are not always caped crusaders or individuals with superhuman abilities. Often, the heroes we seek are quietly within ourselves, waiting to be acknowledged. Each of us carries a unique strength born out of our experiences, struggles, resistance, and perseverance. But to recognize that hero, we must first embrace the idea that both our triumphs and failures are equally valuable in shaping who we are.

This idea of finding my inner hero first took root in one of my graduate classes this semester. My professor asked the class to write a response paper on “what kind of hero you are.” It was a thought-provoking topic that stayed with me long after the discussion. While drafting the paper, I realized that we often look outward for heroes, admiring figures from history, literature, film or even pop culture, but seldom do we reflect on our own capacity for heroism. As I began writing my response, I found myself exploring how my challenges and resilience, my failures and shortcomings, had shaped me into my own hero. It was a powerful realization that sparked the idea for this article today. I wanted to share my perspectives on how each of us, through the trials we face, can discover and nurture a hero within, even when we least expect it.

Consider the story of Frodo Baggins from “The Lord of the Rings.” Frodo was not physically powerful, nor did he possess extraordinary abilities. His heroism came from his perseverance, and his ability to press on despite immense fear and doubt. Similarly, our heroism is not always about grand gestures but about our ability to endure, adapt, and rise again when life becomes overwhelming. It is in the moments when we think we cannot go on, yet somehow we do, that we reveal the hero within us.

Each of us has faced moments of hardship: times when failure seemed to define us. Yet, it is in those moments that we have the opportunity to choose resilience over defeat. Just like in sports, where athletes stumble, fall and fail countless times before perfecting their craft, we too evolve through the process of learning from our missteps. Michael Jordan said, “I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” It is the understanding that we grow stronger with every fall that allows us to recognize our inner hero, one that rises from the ashes of adversity, renewed with purpose and strength.

The growth of our inner hero is not about chasing perfection but about embracing our flaws. This idea reminds me of Katniss Everdeen from “The Hunger Games.” Katniss never asked to be a hero, and she certainly was not perfect. However, what made her a hero was her willingness to stand up for what she believed in, despite her own doubts and the overwhelming pressure placed on her. Similarly, the hero within us emerges when we allow ourselves to fight for what matters to us; whether that is personal growth, supporting a loved one, or overcoming a challenge. The beauty lies in our willingness to keep moving forward despite feeling uncertain or afraid.

Believing in our inner hero means understanding that setbacks are not the opposite of success but a part of the journey. Just as Frodo carried the heavy burden of the One Ring and Katniss bore the weight of rebellion, we carry our own burdens. These burdens can sometimes make us doubt our strength, but in carrying them, we find new dimensions of courage within ourselves. Heroism is not the absence of fear; it is the decision to continue despite it. It is in this persistent effort to rise, no matter how heavy the load, that our hero grows.

The idea of letting our inner hero glow is not just metaphorical; it is a reminder to act with courage in the everyday decisions we face. Whether it is standing up for a principle at work, making a tough personal decision, or simply continuing when life feels too overwhelming, these small acts accumulate to define our heroism. Even the smallest of decisions, like choosing kindness in a world that feels harsh or maintaining hope in the face of uncertainty, help to nurture and grow the hero within us.

We all have an inner hero who thrives on our ability to believe in ourselves and the journey we are on. It is not the absence of challenges that defines a hero, but how we choose to face them. Just as the heroes in our favorite stories emerge victorious not because they are perfect, but because they persist, so too do we become heroes in our own lives. The key is to believe in that hero, nurture it through our actions, and allow it to shine when the world feels its darkest.