Moments of Valor: The Unseen Path to Heroism with Collossus and Deadpool

Navigating Life's Bullseyes and the Shared Triumphs that Define Our Journey

When life ends up breathtakingly fucked, you can generally trace it back to one big, bad decision. The one that sent you down the road to Shitsburg. — Deadpool

Now, here's the kicker: those monumental mess-ups? They're just the big screen versions of the teeny-tiny choices we make while waiting for our coffee to brew, deciding which socks to wear, or choosing between two Netflix shows. And yet, when things are sailing smoothly, I can't help but roll my eyes when someone says, “Oh, look at Mr. or Ms. Perfect over there.” Remember, practice makes perfect because every epic fail is just the universe's way of saying, "Try again, but maybe with a little more flair this time."

Picture this: an archer, fresh out of the box, takes one shot, misses, and thinks, "Maybe I'm more of a darts guy." After missing his first dart throw, he wonders if he's meant to be the next James Bond with a pistol. And when that doesn't pan out? Maybe he should just stick to watching target practice on YouTube. Whether it's dieting, pumping iron, or trying to master the art of making a soufflé, life isn’t about teleporting from zero to hero. It's about enjoying the bumpy, sometimes ridiculous, ride in between.

Four or five moments — that’s all it takes to become a hero. Everyone thinks it’s a full-time job. Wake up a hero. Brush your teeth a hero. Go to work a hero. Not true. Over a lifetime there are only four or five moments that really matter. Moments when you’re offered a choice to make a sacrifice, conquer a flaw, save a friend — spare an enemy. In these moments everything else falls away… — Colossus

Now, you might be thinking, "Hey, I've been grinding for a decade to get where I am!" And sure, while it might seem like a long journey, if you dig deep, you'll find that it was punctuated by those pivotal moments. Maybe it was after a decade of heartache that you finally stood up and said, "That's it! I'm done with this rerun!" It's that moment when you decide to not just pick up the bow but to cherish it, nurture it, and maybe even name it. Being a hero isn’t about nailing the bullseye every single time. Heck, even Legolas missed once or twice (probably). It's about striving to inch closer to that bullseye, absorbing wisdom from those who've been there, and sprinkling in your own secret sauce. And the cherry on top? Helping others find their aim, too. So, unless you've got a timeshare in Shitsburg and are itching to use it, seize those moments. Be the hero of your own story, and maybe even help write a chapter or two in someone else's.

In the grand fabric of life, where threads of decisions weave the narrative of our existence, it's not the vast expanse of the cloth that tells our story, but the vibrant stitches of those four or five moments. While the world might have you believe that heroism is a full-time job, reserved for those with capes or magical unicorns, the truth is far simpler and more profound. Heroism is found in the pauses, the breaths taken before pivotal decisions, and the courage to inch closer to our targets, even when the world blurs around us.

Yet, as we journey through the winding roads, from the bustling streets of everyday life to the desolate alleys of Shitsburg, it's crucial to remember that the path to greatness isn't about perfection. It's about persistence. It's about recognizing those moments, however fleeting, and choosing to act, to learn, to grow. It's about embracing the bow, the darts, or whatever tool life hands you, and using it to craft your destiny.

But here's the secret sauce, the whispered wisdom passed down through ages: A life worth living isn't just about hitting your own bullseyes. It's about lifting others, guiding their aim, and celebrating their victories as if they were your own. For in the shared triumphs and collective strides, we find the true essence of existence. The secret to a life worth living? It's simple. Seek your moments, cherish them, and in doing so, create moments for others. In this dance of shared destinies and intertwined fates, we find not just the meaning, but the magic of life.

BONUS THOUGHTS:

After writing the above I heard this story from Derek Sivers and thought it would be great to share here. He found himself in Iceland, captivated by the crystal-clear waters of Thingvellir Park, where the American and Eurasian continental plates meet. The water was so clear, it looked like a pool of Evian spring water poured over rocks. Intrigued, he decided to take scuba diving lessons. After some initial training in a swimming pool, he felt ready to dive into the ocean. But when he descended 20 meters into the cold, albeit beautiful, depths, something unexpected happened. Panic set in. Claustrophobia from the heavy dry suit, the unfamiliar environment, and the sheer depth overwhelmed him. He signaled to his instructor and rushed to the surface, ripping off his mask and declaring, "I can't do this!"

His instructor, however, offered a moment of calm. He pointed out the beauty of the surroundings and reminded Derek that it was a nice day. This brief pause, this moment of reflection, was enough for Derek to regain his composure. He descended again and completed the dive successfully.

The very next day, Derek found himself diving with a group of experienced divers, including a German couple who had completed over 100 dives. Yet, when he reached the bottom, he found the German woman alone, signaling distress. Remembering his own panic and how his instructor had helped him, Derek stepped into the role of a rescuer. He assisted her to the surface, calmed her down, and, at that moment, became an accidental hero.

This experience was a revelation for Derek. He had always categorized people, including himself, into neat boxes: those who panic and those who don't, those who rescue and those who need rescuing. But his experience in Iceland taught him that these categories are fluid. One day you're the person in distress; the next day, you could be the hero. And sometimes, all it takes to transition from one role to the other is a single moment of choice, a moment of empathy, a moment of courage.

So, what's another secret to a life worth living? It's about embracing the fluidity of these roles and categories. It's about seizing those four or five defining moments that come your way and recognizing that you have the power to redefine yourself, again and again. Whether you're the person who panics or the person who rescues, these categories are not your destiny. They can change in a moment, and that moment could be now.