Comic Book Lessons

So far we've covered two overall points and some smaller ones. Knowledge and Willingness will start you on your way to becoming a gentleman, but what happens when you're well on your way? What sorts of things does a gentleman do, and what sorts of things happen to him? What are traits that you can use on your path?

Comic Con attendees: your attention, please. What are some of the things you saw at the show two weeks ago? Super heroes, probably. TV show and movie heroes, heroines, sidekicks, even some bad guys. Why do people choose these to represent? What about movie and comic book characters appeals to us? Why do some movies seem to strike some chords in our hearts, and bring us close to a person that doesn't exist?

Answer: these people are real.
They are a part of us.

We love certain characters because they remind us of ourselves. We hate bad guys because they embody all of the darkness within us. They're constant reminders of what happens if you let the worst of you be the best.

Earlier this week, our nation bowed its head to honor those who went to see a movie and never came back home. The news exploded into new accounts of how fearsome it is to live in the world we do. People cowered in fear in front of their TVs, suddenly afraid to set foot outside. "You never know who you'll see," say the pretty faces on the camera. "You'll never know who you'll meet."

Trust no one.

What a terrible way to live.
Gentlemen, if you learn nothing else, learn not to be afraid. If you can't trust anyone, don't trust people who would mislead you. Test everything and everyone, but don't be afraid of them. Fearing everything leads to a terrible waste of a life.

I'm sure you've seen those posters on the internet: they say things such as, "It's your life. If you don't like your job, quit. If you want to go somewhere, pack your bags." I've talked before about courage, and daring to do. There's a lot of fear packed up in doing. It requires letting go of something you know for something you don't. But you don't have to quit your job. If you love it, stay. If you need the money, look for something else before you quit it. Don't drop everything immediately. There's false freedom in that, too.

Every choice comes with responsibility to bear consequences. This is something that all heroes understand.

Spandex and tights don't make heroes. Hearts make heroes.

Gentlemen, don't be afraid. Be heroes.
The world needs more like you.