It seems like everyone is quick to list people off as their hero, typically listing their parents, grandparents, a favorite musician, or even a teacher. While those people can be huge influences, I would not list them as my heroes. However, they are all people who have helped build the strength and personality of my own hero. So who is my hero? It is me!

This may seem rather unusual, which it probably is, but I do not know anyone stronger than myself. Others have been through their own experiences, but who is the only person who has gone through the exact same path as you and survived? You!

This last school year for me has honestly been probably the most difficult year in my life thus far. My family has changed in many way both with additions and subtractions, I have changed, my values and beliefs have changed, and my mentality on many things have changed. One of the hardest things however, was admitting that I needed help. I have always kept things to myself and have tried to take care of myself so admitting that I couldn't do something alone was really difficult for me. However, when I finally did my family and friends rallied behind me and showed me who was there for me, even those who I thought didn't care stepped up and helped me.

While they were a great help, this never would have happened if I did not stand up for myself. Needing help is not a sign of weakness it is a sign of being strong enough to know your limits. Do you think that Olympic Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson didn't need help to win? Do you think that Steven Tyler and Aerosmith made it completely on their own? The answer is no, but they knew they needed to ask in order to better themselves.

The other reason I am my own hero is because while I have been knocked down, a hell of a lot, I have always gotten back up. When it was just my father, my brother and I, none of us had time to sit back and be upset about what happened, we needed to get back up and work to fix what we could do. If I didn't have goals, and a drive, there is no way that I would currently be working 2 jobs, volunteering with BBBS, and going to college full time. My favorite quote is "A miracle is another name for hard work," and it is taped to my dorm wall. Every morning I remind myself of that and get up to go back to work.

Now, why do you need to be your own hero? You need to stand up for yourself and do what is best for you, if you won't who else will? No one should have the power to control any part of your life other than you. We all fall, we all get back up, and we all conquer what needs to be conquered, and that alone is reason to be your own hero. Even if it is something small, like getting an A on your test, you did it. No one else did it for you, and you should recognize all that you do. I make mistakes, I have bad days, there are days that my depression keep me from getting out of bed, but I always get back up the next day and start all over. Never forget what you accomplish, because no one else has done it for you! You got up and did it and that makes you my hero. It should make you your own hero as well!

Remember Tom Keifer's wise words, "Just because you fell doesn't mean you couldn't stand,".