Heroes Near You

Heroes #4: Firefighters; Detroit Station 

As a kid, I watched a lot of cartoons and TV shows that consisted of heroes and villains. My all time favorite however, was Power Rangers. If you aren't familiar with these colorful spandex wearing heroes, they go around fighting crime while risking their own lives...kinda sorta maybe. That's when I thought to himself. Is there really a career that could be like that? Becoming a hero that saves lives for the love of peace and people? I have been posting about heroes that are significant to the world, however, today I'll be dedicating this post to local heroes that each community should deeply appreciate. Firefighters.

(Video 3. The Daily Life of a Detroit Firefighter)

Firefighters risk their lives everyday, not sure if they'll even come home to their family that very day they woke up. Why would you want to be a firefighter you ask? "To save lives. Pay my bills. IT'S FUN" are the reasons the Detroit Firefighters have. The video above talks of the daily life of Detroit Firefighters and mention how the job is extremely difficult but worth the lives saved. Being a firefighter is frustrating, many times the station gets alarms of crisis that aren't even fires and they still prepare for the worst. Especially in Detroit, a city with decreasing population and a community that is scattered with abandoned homes. These people want to watch the community develop into something great, they want to watch it succeed, and most of all, they want the people of the community to feel safe.

(Figure 2. Firefighters administering oxygen to cats rescued from a house fire.) 

Not all things are for glory, money, and appreciation though. There are some cons. To be a hero, many sacrifices must be made. "Leaving my wife behind. Permanently being disabled. Firemen die young." These are local heroes that give it their all to save lives and shut down those that start flames.  Firemen aren't invincible, they are just human beings that try to help. It's easier to not think about how dangerous the task at hand is. We, the people of small OR big communities, ALWAYS take them for granted and don't take enough our time to appreciate their hard work. On the job, there's not telling when you could get out of that burning building alive.

I think this job isn't the best option for me. However it is an option. I really do want to save people and maybe if I tried I could really be passionate about it. Firefighters > Power Rangers

Playing for Change

There has been some confusion about what I want to do as a career and I'm going to be flat out honest. I really don't know and this is a large problem for most teenagers in high school. This blog is about people that make a career out of doing honorable things that benefit others even if it doesn't benefit themselves. Careers such as an inspirational speaker, a charity worker, Red Cross members, or even a volunteer worker at a local soup kitchen for the needy. One reason why we were put on this Earth is to make a difference and help each other right? Well, that's my philosophy. Anyways, back on track to today's hero.

Hero #3: Charity group; Playing for Change

Today I'm talking about a charity that helps street musicians. More specifically an organization called "Playing for Change." Their main objective is to connect the world through music and provide resources for musicians that live in poor communites. For more information and/or ways to participate, visit them at http://playingforchange.com.

(Video 2. Playing For Change. Standby Me cover.)

 First time I watched this video it gave me chills because the music was just so perfect. I can't really describe it but they really put their heart and soul into music. This is just one example of the things Playing for Change does. They toured around the world and compiled this music video that included several different street musicians who played the famous song "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King. Each musician/musical group showed their own unique talents just to spread a message around the world. 

Personally, I see this as an amazing charity mostly because I have done my fair share of music in my years. Hours and hours of piano and saxophone each day for eight years. These people with such amazing talent spread their music, and you can literally hear how passionate they are. These days, music artists like Justin Bieber or LMFAO bathe in money with their catchy auto-tuned crap. Yet these people are out there, with so much potential and passion, just barely surviving on spare change that people oh so "generously" give. Let that sink in for a little bit. I believe this charity has definitely won my up-most respect for identifying the true artists of this world and helping them when in need.

No Arms No Legs No Worries

Hero #2: Nick Vujicic 

(Video 1. No Arms No Legs No Worries)

Here's a prime example of one of my favorite inspirational speakers. Nick, born without arms or legs, is still content with his life and explains this to large audiences to encourage them to find the better qualities of themselves. One of the people he has inspired would be me. I'm not going to lie, I teared up watching this.(tears are manly guise) Sorry. Going back on topic now. He emotionally triggers their feelings on how they view themselves negatively and tells them life is a lot better when you change your perspective. 

Majority of girls these days often think badly of themselves.

Ex.

"omg i'm so fat. wai do i do this to myself"

"ugh. pretty girls can make stupid faces look hot. wai can't i doo dat?"

"I'm ugly. That's why i can't have nice things ):"

Nick just obliterates those thoughts and tells them they're all beautiful and are better than they truly think. Even if he changes their perspective for just a few minutes, he has already reached out to that person. I'm no expert, but from what I hear, girls just want to hear that they're beautiful from time to time. Am I right ladies? 

Inspirational Speaker. This is a career path that seems interesting to me.  Some characteristics I see in Nick reflect me because we're both very optimistic.....well I'm sure he's a little bit more of an extreme optimistic. I have not yet found a passion I want to pursue yet, however, this is probably one of my top choices. Reaching out to people and making a huge difference? I mean, who really wouldn't want that?

Smile to Save a Life

Hero #1: Don Ritchie (Angel of the Gap)

(Figure 1. Don Ritchie, nicknamed "The Angel of the Gap") 

             For 50 years, Don Ritchie has lived near the infamous suicide spot known as "The Gap." He constantly soothes and talks people out of suicide. This man is truly worthy of the title of an angel. Don Ritchie uses the technique of a gentle soothing voice to help people work out their problems. He states that some of the people he talks to don't really want to die, but they feel it is necessary to end their pain/sadness. He saves lives with a simple smile and friendly traits.


link: http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-461191