The Heroes We Find — And the Hero Within
There is a voice out there for everyone — a voice that brings hope, offers guidance, and reminds us of who we are at our core. Sometimes, this voice belongs to a close friend, a mentor, a writer, a musician, or even a fictional character. Whoever it may be, their words, actions, or story resonate with something inside us — something waiting to be seen.
There’s a unique power in hearing someone articulate what our hearts have long known but struggled to express. In that moment, we feel less alone. We feel understood. And we glimpse the possibility of rising above our circumstances, of showing up in the world with courage and integrity.
For me, heroes are the ones who reflect back our deepest longings — the ones who help us discover our strength, resilience, and worth.
I shared recently on Instagram that one of my early heroes is Mariah Carey. While the world knows her as a powerhouse vocalist, for me, her influence runs deeper. As a pre-teen, her lyrics gave voice to feelings I couldn’t yet name. Her songs validated my emotions, helped me feel seen, and offered hope during times I felt invisible. Watching her navigate challenges and still rise taught me that it’s possible to meet adversity with grace and perseverance. It reminded me how healing it is to hear another’s story — and how stories have the power to set us free.
Today, I see my clients as some of my greatest heroes. I’m continually moved by their courage — by the way they show up for themselves, even when it’s hard, even when they forget their ‘why’ and have to rediscover it all over again. Witnessing them move through fear, soften toward themselves, and reclaim their worth is a daily reminder of the quiet, extraordinary strength that lives within us all.
Carl Jung wrote about the concept of projection — how we often attribute qualities we admire (or fear) in others to people outside ourselves. Yet projection can also be a mirror, showing us traits we’ve yet to fully claim as our own. As Penny Parks writes:
“The person you wish you were is who you really are, but haven’t yet learned to be.” (Parks, 1990, p. 160)
Our heroes aren’t distant icons on a pedestal. They are reflections — reminders of the untapped strengths, values, and dreams already alive within us.
As Mariah Carey sings:
“There’s a hero if you look inside your heart
You don’t have to be afraid of what you are
There’s an answer if you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know will melt away.”
I invite you to reflect:
Who are the heroes in your life?
What qualities in them move you or inspire awe?
How do they meet life’s challenges?
What if those very qualities also lived within you?
Could it be that you are no less than the heroes you admire?
And what if the critical voices that tell you otherwise are the real villains of your story?
This is the heart of self-compassion — recognising that the qualities you admire are not out of reach but already part of you, waiting to be nurtured. As you grow, heal, and discover new layers of yourself, you may find you’ve been your own hero all along.
Your story is worthy of recognition. And so are you.
