People Share The Things That Require More Heroism Than People Are Given Credit For
When we think of a "hero" we might think of someone in a cape who's saving civilians from terror. Or maybe we think of the essential workers we've called heroes throughout the pandemic.
Heroism is simply defined as "great bravery," according to Oxford Languages.
If being a hero is about showing courage, bravery and strength, heroic feats happen all around us every day with ordinary people.
Redditor thejppass asked:
"What takes significantly more heroism than people recognize?"
People on AskReddit shared what they thought made a hero.
Going against the grain.
"Saying no in room full of people saying yes because there is a reason to say no."
- HobbitFoot
"It's especially brave when you consider it goes against a lot of instinctual human behaviour."
"We are partially meant to agree with the masses, for social acceptance and a few other reasons. Or at least not act against the masses and make a big show."
"It helps to be aware of this in a way."
- deterministic_lynx
Saying something.
"Speaking up."
- SavesNine9
"It's even harder when you know there might be repercussions for going against your superiors."
- SeaAppointment32
Getting out of toxic relationships.
"To walk away from a toxic relationship."
- Shalllom
"Toxic family relationships."
- kkehoe5
"I think a hard part of toxic relationships is that there was enough "good stuff" to get into the relationship in the first place, and often people try to stay in the relationship to fix it or patch it up to try to get back to the idealized good part."
"That's why it's so hard to walk away from those relationships, compared to someone you are indifferent to."
- SeaAppointment32
Walking away from a fight.
"Walking away from a fight, I have been in situations where people were provoking me and saying the most horrible things they could think of to get me to lash out, walking away from those situations and looking weak (even though it took more strength) was probably the hardest thing I have ever done."
- Totallycasual
"One incident that made me know I was in love with my husband was when we were dating and some asshole guy in a bar tried to pick a fight with him. Instead of getting into it he turned to me and said 'let's get out of here.' As we were walking away he said 'damn that guy was big I sure didn't want to have to fight him' and he got laid that night instead of getting his a** kicked."
- grannybubbles
Or maybe finishing the fight.
"Standing up to a bully."
- Stetzy93
"My biggest regret of my childhood is not beating the sh*t out of at least one of my bullies the countless chances I had, but to this day I understand why I didnโt. I vividly remember the feeling of fear and how small Iโd feel in their presence. Could have easily taken a couple of them, but that wasnโt even an option in my mind as soon as I got to school every day"
- i_tune_to_dropD
Admitting when you're wrong.
"Admitting (to yourself most importantly) that youโre being selfish/are wrong about something."
- Oreoking10
"Sometimes admitting your not selfish can be just as hard for some people too."
- NeverGonnaGiveUZucc
When the party's over.
"Asking people to leave your house at the end of a party."
- Miserable-Back2482
"We had this issue on New years eve. My girlfriend just started cleaning around everyone. She said it's the universal 'you ain't gotta go home but you gotta get the hell outta here.' It worked."
- WrathofJohnnyBoah
"Slap your thighs as you stand up and say 'welp..'"
- Jeramy_Jones
Vulnerability.
"Being publicly vulnerable."
- xk543x
"Specially as a man... its easier to act though. We push people away while its lonely its far more manageable. If you show vulnerability the consequences are far worse. It takes a lot of courage. Its much harder to show vulnerability. I know it first hand."
- mizukata
Donating an organ.
"Donating an organ (while alive). It's a lot of time to figure out if you're a match, first off, going to lab tests initially then other health tests. Once confirm match, having to go through the procedure itself."
"You could be a healthy donor but then not so healthy after the procedure, or your donation may not go over well with the new host. But if it all works out, whether or not you know the person receiving the organ, it's an amazing thing."
- thutruthissomewhere
"The guilt and the heart break when it doesn't go well I wouldn't wish on anyone."
- ckretmsage
Being a full time caretaker.
"Caring for a loved one 24/7."
- carlthedogboy
"Being the long term caregiver for an ill family member."
- CarmichaelD
Heroism comes in all shapes, sizes, and forms.
It's no surprise that some of the most brave acts are about being emotionally vulnerable and standing up for what you believe in.
As the saying goes, heroes don't always wear capes.
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Witnesses Describe Bus Driver's Heroic Actions After Seattle Gunman's Deadly Shooting Spree
Commuters and local residents feared for their lives after a man went on a shooting spree during rush hour traffic in North Seattle around 4 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.
According to CBS News, two people were killed as the suspect shot through several windshields at drivers a few blocks East of Lake City Way in a car jacking rampage.
"It didn't matter who you were. He was going to shoot you if he saw you," said witness John Barrett of the shooter who is now in custody of the police.
Another witness recalled their narrow escape from the chaos, saying:
"I turned around and left, because he was heading right for me. I barely got out of there. It was close, real close."
DEVELOPING: Two people dead, two in critical condition after shooting incident, attempted carjackings in Seattle.โฆ https://t.co/Ano1ekOUVfโ ABC News (@ABC News) 1553737101.0
MORE: Seattle police say โone lone suspectโ is in custody after โthis random, senseless act.โโฆ https://t.co/4RrNB19dwbโ ABC News (@ABC News) 1553737220.0
The nightmare began after the 33-year-old suspect, later identified as Tad Michael Norman, shot a 57-year-old female driver in a car jacking attempt on Sand Point Way Northeast and Bartlett Avenue Northeast.
Luckily, she survived the attack.
โฆ@harborviewmcโฉ patient Deborah Judd who was injured from the North Seattle shooting talks to the media today. Sheโฆ https://t.co/2PX9VszFrUโ UW Medicine Newsroom (@UW Medicine Newsroom) 1553804448.0
Shooting incident in Lake City: At 4:05 p.m., an operator on Rt. 75 hit their Emergency Alarm & reported that theyโฆ https://t.co/zwThGSJZxqโ King County Metro ๐๐๐โด๐ (@King County Metro ๐๐๐โด๐) 1553732444.0
The gunman then targeted a bus driver, Eric Stark, and shot him in the torso, but his wound did not prevent him from saving the passengers' lives.
The Seattle Police Department called the Metro Route 75 driver a hero after he took a bullet and drove the 12 passengers to safety by backing up out of the shooter's range:
"This bus driver truly is a hero. He was able to have the wherewithal to put the bus in reverse, back it up, turn it around, which is no easy feat in and of itself."
Continued: Preliminary information is that no other passengers were injured & 12 other passengers were on board atโฆ https://t.co/jbIy9YEanKโ King County Metro ๐๐๐โด๐ (@King County Metro ๐๐๐โด๐) 1553732483.0
A metro spokesman said of Stark:
"My understanding is, even after he had been struck by gunfire, he was able to maneuver the bus, to back out and get his passengers to safety, before hitting the emergency-alarm button."
Statement from Rob Gannon, Metro's general manager: โWe commend the heroic actions of our colleague, Eric Stark, wโฆ https://t.co/AvOvx67y5wโ King County Metro ๐๐๐โด๐ (@King County Metro ๐๐๐โด๐) 1553742610.0
Continued: "Safety is of utmost importance to Metro and situations like todayโs make us thankful for the quick thinโฆ https://t.co/uQMhGCtBvBโ King County Metro ๐๐๐โด๐ (@King County Metro ๐๐๐โด๐) 1553742702.0
@seattletimes Bus driver saved lives. โค๏ธโ Erin Thomas (@Erin Thomas) 1553745380.0
Norman moved on to hijack another vehicle after killing a 50-year-old man at the wheel and sped off to flee from the scene. A half-mile car chase ensued before he collided with another vehicle and killed its 70-year-old driver.
Tad-Michael Norman, a 33-year-old unemployed former Microsoft employee, is accused of murder and other charges afteโฆ https://t.co/nZXMqsQfZxโ Tom Cleary (@Tom Cleary) 1553790662.0
Police spokesman Deputy Police Chief Marc Garth Green categorized the attack as a "random, sensless act" during a press briefing.
The victims, including the suspect were taken to Harborview Medical Center. After Norman was discharged from the hospital, he was transported to King County Jail where he is under investigation for homicide, robbery and assault.
According to the Seattle Times, the city's Mayor Jenny Durkan called the shooting a "tragedy for the Lake City community and all of Seattle."
"We grieve with the loved ones of those who were taken, and we extend the good wishes and support of our City to those who were injured. I am unspeakably grateful to the King County Metro driver who acted to save lives."
We have become numb to yet another "senseless act" becoming the norm.
@ABC Gun supporters: โit wouldnโt have happened if they had a gun on the busโโ โค๏ธ (@โค๏ธ) 1553808883.0
@ABC Prayers are with the families.โ LRFalstad (@LRFalstad) 1553753623.0
My heart goes out to victims and families of the shooting in Seattle. That's my home. I used to WALK there when I wโฆ https://t.co/2nsNtCZvzjโ Mary Reese (@Mary Reese) 1553751784.0
Watch the full CBS News report in the YouTube clip, below.
Seattle shooting: Witnesses describe deadly rush hour rampage www.youtube.com
When is enough, enough?
Jose Guzman lost his home to a fire that broke out at his neighbor's house and spread too quickly for firefighters to contain.
But he made sure he didn't lose everything.
When he arrived at his family's home and saw that the fire couldn't be contained, he was determined not to lose their dog, Gabanna, too.
Guzman was away from home at a family barbecue with his fiancรฉe Adriana and their three children Yvette, 2, Hazel, 4, and Yetzel, 6, when someone mentioned a fire in their neighborhood.
He was fairly sure it wasn't their house, since they hadn't been gone long.
"I didn't think it was mine because we had just left the house about an hour ago, but I decided to get in my truck and drive over there."
When he arrived at their home, however, he saw that his house was indeed on fire.
The blaze had started at his neighbor's house and spread to his. Firefighters had run out of water because of the severity of the blaze, and had requested assistance from other nearby fire crews.
He immediately thought of the family's blue nosed pit bull, Gabanna, who was still in the house. Without thinking twice, he rushed into the house to get her out.
"I knew something could've happened to me or both of us, but it didn't go through my mind at the time."
"That dog is part of my family. She's been with us through downs and ups and I couldn't leave her there. I would do it again if I had to; I would do it for anybody in my family."
Guzman found Gabanna in the only room in the house not already filled with smoke or flames: the bathroom. She had curled up in a ball under the toilet.
"I ran through the curtain of fire and made my way through the smoke to the back of the house, where I had her chained up."
"It was hard for me to get her leash unhooked, but I managed to get her loose and we both ran out towards the driveway"
Jose's daring rescue was filmed by his landlord's son-in-law, Adam Guzman (who is not related to Jose).
He posted the video to Facebook.
Guzman received second-degree burns to his face, right side, arm and left ear when he entered the house.
Gabanna also suffered burns to her nose and paw, and was pretty scared by the experience. Jose said they are both healing well and Gabanna is expected to make a full recovery.
Jose's fiancรฉe Adriana said she wasn't surprised by his actions:
"He's that person that would do that for anybody. He's a loving dad, a loving son, a loving brother."
Facebook users were touched by Jose's rescue of Gabanna.
Leticia Rios/Facebook
Alceu Marques/Facebook
Many people siad they would have done the same for their furry family members.
Zeta Clark/Facebook
Robin Cotten/Facebook
PerEsc Yady/Facebook
Gale Gaerlan/Facebook
Jackie Esposito/Facebook
The family have been staying with Jose's sister Roxana Martinez since the fire. Roxana started a GoFundMe campaign to try to help them get back on their feet after losing everything in the fire.
Chance The Rapper Just Revealed That He Pulled An Unconscious Man Out Of A Burning Car In 2018 ๐ฎ
As 2018 came to a close, many people thought back on their last 365 days and then took to social media to chronicle the highs and lows of their year. Chance The Rapper was no exception.
Just before the New Year, Chance The Rapper told the world about that time he saved a man's life.
Lucky for us, HotNewHipHop's Instagram captured and posted Chance's story.
Chance began with a photo of a wrecked car dated "APR 1, 2018."
"AY so I never told this to the world but my friends can merch. I saved a persons life by myself on Easter Sunday this year omw to church. NBS on everything"
The story continued:
"This afterwards but basically I was driving to church dolo, about to go south on lakeshore and another car drives into the wall in front of me goin like 90mph comin off the exit. I was the only person out there when it first happened and his car was on fire so I had to break his window take off his seatbelt let his seat back and pull a whole grown man out of the car unconscious."
He finished the recollection, saying:
"Sidenote: I was only by myself at first, then two older men helped me pull folks out the front after I go the doors open. But def was getting that "am I getting punk'd" at first"
Chance also made sure to include the most important part of his story:
"In reality I never was able to find out if dude was alright so if this is yo uncle or something let a ni--- kno ๐๐พ"
Not long after his story posted to Instagram, Chance shared an incredible update to the tale.
A kid DMโd me saying it was his uncle and that he lived!! https://t.co/fBkpwGQXILโ Chance The Rapper (@Chance The Rapper) 1546293175.0
Fans shared their appreciation of Chance's bravery.
@chancetherapper This man saved a life AND made Sunday Candy???โ Bernie Sanders is Black (@Bernie Sanders is Black) 1546329319.0
@chancetherapper Chance the Vigilanteโ DeLynn (@DeLynn) 1546295089.0
@chancetherapper We donโt deserve youโ Madz (@Madz) 1546303239.0
@chancetherapper God placed you where you was supposed to be ๐๐ผ #blessyoheartโ HUMANHATER (@HUMANHATER) 1546296905.0
@chancetherapper @TheRealCoolie LOW KEY LITโ Leonarddd (@Leonarddd) 1546362930.0
@chancetherapper Awesome. You are one amazing man bro. #RealLifeโ ARRESTBREONNASKILLERS (@ARRESTBREONNASKILLERS) 1546332799.0
@chancetherapper God bless you always! And thank you for showing the world what humanity is all about. Bless up bro! @chancetherapperโ Raymark (@Raymark) 1546317053.0
@chancetherapper Goatโ DWat (@DWat) 1546314334.0
@chancetherapper I LOVE YOUUUUUUUโ Love ๐๐ (@Love ๐๐) 1546322556.0
Good work, Chance!
Our heroes are a very personal thing. We look up to them and strive to be like them. Sometimes they're athletes, actors, or other celebrities, and sometimes they're people in our own communities. Unfortunately, people's public faces aren't always who they really are.
Even though they're our heroes they're still human; they suffer the same human faults we do. Nobody is perfect, but some are definitely worse than others.
Reddit user just_add_bacon_7 asked:
"To anyone who has ever had a 'Never Meet Your Heroes' moment, what's your story?"
Some responses edited for content or clarity.