A HERO EVERY DAY

We certainly love our heroes, don’t we? From the football field to the stage, America has elevated certain humans to god-like stature because of what they can do, how they look, who they are, or even how much money they might have. A term that has become familiar in the past several years, however, praises the millions of “everyday heroes” who daily shame the status of stardom.

We all know at least one. If you look closely, and have a valid definition of “hero”, you will find more than one in your life. My definition includes several words – “extraordinary”, “selfless”, “goes beyond the call of duty”, “unceasing”, and “tireless”.

I knew a couple who, for 20 years, had been foster parents for the local county. They would welcome abused kids into their lives and home and family, give them love, support, encouragement, and quite often find themselves having to return those damaged children right back to the same people who had inflicted the emotional or physical wounds in the first place. Twenty years of living as heroes!!

A hero changes another’s life, sometimes forever, sometimes for a moment. A smile at the right time can make all the difference. A handshake, a word of encouragement or understanding – all of these can change the course of a life. After all, isn’t that what heroes do?

We all have daily opportunities to join the ranks of “heroism”. We don’t have to give up our lives or our homes. Our customers have that chance when they contact a homeowner in distress. How the homeowner is viewed, spoken to, or helped by an investor in Default Research’s daily lists, can make the difference. Sure, we want to profit. And yes, get something in return for our efforts. But we can be a hero to that homeowner by offering them honesty, a real effort to help, and the best advice at our fingertips. We can have patience with their panic, their mistrust, and sometimes anger.

To get beyond preconceived ideas, to offer our best, and to go the extra mile for another – all of these words are part of the hero sum total!