Unsung Heroes

There was a phrase in the book I am reading (Atomic Habits) that really stood out to me.  I confess when I had finished this chapter, I looked at the title of the next and it was “Conclusion.”  I was really surprised at that as there were still a number of pages.  But a look at them showed they were further ideas, indexes and other places to look.  So I guess I am on the home run with this.
The phrase that caught my attention was “other unsung hero deeds.”
I know I am right into that as I think there are a multitude of unsung heroes.  Ones that do not make national news and those networks do not feature.  Ones that do what is best for others at great cost to themselves without thought to any reward.
I think I have mentioned purchasing an album years ago called “Local Hero.”  I got it not because I knew anything about it.  I just liked the title. (it was a bonus that it turned out it was a great album).
It seems to me there are many local heroes in the waiting.  Ones that would deny being that, but who will act in a selfless way when the opportunity arises.  Not because they need to, but because it is their nature.
The book was talking about how we often have a mistaken belief that because we are doing  something repeatedly we as are automatically getting better.  The author contends that is not the case.  We associate multiple use with improvement.  Really we are becoming more comfortable doing something by repeating.  That does not mean we are getting better as we may be embedding mistakes. 
Improvement is based on refection and adjustment.  To me local heroes are those that do something good repeatedly and improve.  Responding in a positive way at a crucial time is an automatic response.  Rarely is a response out of character, but is more a response based on the character they have become through use, reflection and improvement.
I guess for me the upshot is that I am less enamored with media hero’s than I am with unsung hero’s sitting next to me on the train or in the eatery.  Unsung heroes neither need to be rich or famous but are everyday people involved in everyday activities.