Unknown Heroes are Key to Social Media Sadness and Heroism

The other day a young man posted a picture of a local Chicago magazine cover onto his Instagram account.  Since his Instagram links to his Facebook, I had the fortunate opportunity to view it in my News Feeds.  The picture, which featured actor Danny Glover, was somewhat interesting at first glance, but it was his comments that really caught my attention.  It read:

“DePaul has taught me there are people who struggle in Chicago, but still strive for more. One lady I met today has been working all day since 7am just to sell her last magazine and I'm proud to say I made her day with a smile, a simple hello, and a great night conversation. It's sad though how people ignore someone so motivated, but I know that these people in the city will motivate me in my life to be the best me I can be. #streetwise#DePaulLife #godbless “

Do you remember the last time you had an ice-cold glass of your favorite drink after a hot, tiring, and stressful day?  Well, that’s how I felt when I read his comment. Refreshed. It’s the cool breeze that blows through the stagnant-sadness-causing posts polluting Instagram and Facebook these days. 

In fact, research recently mentioned on ABC News, The NewYorker, and other sources suggests the more people use these social media platforms, the more unhappy they are likely to become.  According to ABC News, “Independent studies by researchers at Utah Valley University, Western Illinois University, Gothenburg University in Sweden, and others have found similar results: People look at the overacurate digital lives of all their other friends, compare themselves to what they see and then feel a decrease in self-esteem.”  This is especially true with vacation photos and the plethora of materialism that people gloat online. 

This young man’s post is not only refreshing, but it sizzles with heroic inspiration.  I don’t mean the kind of extraordinary heroism we associate with legendary warriors like Odysseus or humanitarians like Mother Theresa and Mahatma Gandhi.  Nope. Odysseus belongs in Greek mythology, and the latter two’s sacrifices are too much to expect from most people. The heroes I’m talking about are ordinary people, who in particular situations, do extraordinary things; such as the case of this young Depaul University student.

Knowing fully the lady selling the magazine is battling financial hardships and that Streetwise is a magazine raising awareness on the impact of poverty and homelessness in Chicago, something I learned later; this young man did what most wouldn’t, and that is simply – to care.  So does this make him a hero?  In society’s eyes, perhaps not, but in my eyes and of those in despair, I think so. 

Imagine if more people posted acts of kindness, positive news, and inspiring thoughts on social media platforms.  Maybe, just maybe, one might be inspired enough to do something extraordinary for someone else and bring an inkling of hope into the world.