You Are The Hero Of Your Life

You are braver than you believe, smarter than you seem, and stronger than you think.

Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh — A.A.Milne

“You’re so confident, she said.”

“I’m really not.”

“Seriously? You never seem afraid. You’re very put together.”

“You think I am because it’s safer for you to believe that I am never fearful.”

“What do you mean?”

“You perceive me to be confident and brave because you need me to be. As long as you ascribe only those characteristics to me, I am someone for you to lean on. If you live in the illusion of me as your hero, you don’t have to be as frightened. You muddle around with a false security that I or someone else will come in and save the day for you. Just in the nick of time.”

“Why don’t you see what a compliment it is for me to see you as a hero?”

“I understand what you mean. But for me, it’s not a compliment.”

“You know what I’m trying to say.”

“I’m not trying to split hairs on this. If I’m always the hero in your story, what happens when I fall? What will you do when I am petrified? Why do you freeze when I am paralyzed with indecision? What do you do when I procrastinate? And who will my hero be when I am terrified? You refuse to grasp my humanity. If you did, then you would have to take ownership of your life.”

“Well then, what do you suggest?”

“My friend, you are the protagonist of your life. Write your story.”