10/06/11
I really don’t have any idea what this is like for everyone else, but I, personally, have always needed, and indeed, craved heroines and heroes. Whether it’s my reading material, or even what I watch in movies and on television, all of my favorites have heroic characters. And although I do believe in heroes in real life, I also think that such individual moments are reasonably common (at least common enough to lend us hope for the future of mankind) but truly heroic people are a rare breed.
This morning I watched a documentary about Stan Lee, with Kevin Smith interviewing him. I want to say it’s called “Monsters, Mutants and Mayhem,” but don’t quote me on that! Stan Lee is just such an incredible person – and I don’t mean just because of all that he’s done – but because of who he is. What struck me the most in this documentary is how much credit he gave to everyone else, and how self-deprecating he was about himself and his own skills. It’s strange to say this – but every time I see him in something I realize that Stan Lee is truly beautiful to me.
So now you know that I really adore Stan Lee. Kevin Smith is cool too, and I like his public persona a lot – but for me, Stan Lee is on the same rung as Johnny and June Carter Cash – and that’s about as high up as I go for mere humankind. **(Plus, I doubt that Kevin Smith would mind.)
But that ability to just recognize and be grateful, and even humble, is inspirational. This man never says, “I did this,” but, “It was all thanks to my team,” or “I worked with great people,” or simply “I was lucky.” In the interview, he genuinely seems anguished to only be talking about himself and to be not talking about Kevin Smith – and he even makes it a point to laud and support him publicly.
At Stan Lee’s level, it’s not something he has to do. He’s earned his way already – there’s no ‘profit’ in being kind and supportive of the generations following him. It’s just the kind thing to do. And it’s just the way he is.
That guy – even at his age – is one of the coolest people ever.
And if there is a lesson to be learned, it’s that role models and super heroes are still, and will always be an important need – and not just to future generations of children, but to ourselves too. It’s that kindness, for the sake of kindness – that humbleness, for no reason at all, and that gratitude and thankful attitude which are attributes that – if valued and taught more – could change the whole make-up of our world.
When I finally grow up, I wanna be the female version of Stan Lee. To be the kind of person that is compassionate, thankful, grateful, giving and humble. Stan Lee helps me to keep believing in ‘simple things’ like good deeds, helping those in need, being a good role model for those coming after - and most importantly, that there really are honest-to-god, real-life superheroes.
Thanks – and love - to a great role model,
Rose
