The Hero's Journey: RISK
You may see it often and others may never see it but it happens around us everyday. If you don’t see it then you’re choosing to ignore it. Everyday people are taken advantage of, hurt by, abused, bullied, threaten, mistreated, lied to, deceived or tricked by their fellow humans. We see this everyday and most of us do nothing. There are many reason as to why…. why get involved with something that has nothing to do with you? Why risk getting hurt your self? “I don’t want to interfere, not my problem.” We say to ourselves. I’m not risking my life for that person, that punk, that nerd, that gay guy, that dark skinned person, that fat man, that hillbilly, that homeless person…. that human?
I recently witnessed an attempted rape of a homeless lady, this, in broad day light on a residential street in LA. I think back to that day and how I just happen to be in this place at this time. My day started normal. 5:30 am rise, gym, coffee, shower, dress, and head to work. This day I decided to go back to my apartment to grab something. Upon my return I heard and saw a commotion between what I thought was just two homeless people fighting over possessions. I thought nothing of it at first. But my timing was just perfect. The woman was yelling a bit and as I walked into my office I heard a cry for help! I look back to find the woman on the ground and the large man down next to her. Still I thought it was just another homeless struggle over cans or bottles (you see this often in cities). “Help me!” she cried again…I look back again and yell at them “Stop it! both of you! Upon a second look I see them in a spooning position, the larger man behind her attempting to rip off her pants whilst at the same time pulling down his in an attempt to rape her!
Without hesitation I run over to save her and smash his fucking brains in (my true feelings) I manage to separate them and protect her from any further assault. I guard her behind me and stand in face to face with this scumbag, willing to do what ever it takes to protect this woman I don’t even know. He says “Money, Money…” I respond, “get the fuck at out of here” with a zombie like stare he takes a step closer in an attempt to get her. I step closer to him with my arm extended out and he other arm protecting the homeless woman. Again, like a zombie or demon possessed body with crazy eyes that don’t blink. “Money…where is it?” he mumbles. “It’s down there, get out of here”, I say and I gesture to the alley way. He starts to creep closer to me. Not showing any fear, I step closer, this time one arm extended towards him and the other cocked and ready to fire into his dead eyed face if needed.
This whole time I am calm, Zen like. Completely in the moment. I feel fear but the feeling of saving someone’s life over powers the fear. I knew all the risk. He could have a weapon, a disease, completely high and possibly over power me. But still, I took this risk to save a person I don’t know and who many would say “don’t matter” I saw her as a human being, as a part of me, my friend, my brother, my mother, my wife. Would I ever allow that to happen to them…to me? I achieved the flow state!
I looked backed and rewound the moment in my mind as if I had a 360 aerial view of it. I remember the parking lot attending watching but doing nothing, the service guy in his truck across the street just tune it out, the women in nearby business just keep looking at their phones! Anyone could have just said, “Hey, stop!” That would have bought some time. They say when you’re in trouble you should yell, “Fire” rather than help. People tend to respond more to something that can’t impact their world rather than someone else’s.
So here is when you can rise to the moment and realize that we are all the same. We are all connected and if someone’s in this world feels fear or pain then it can affect you directly. Just the same as when you’re around positive people and positive energy, it can affect you. We all have a friend or even a movie we like that you even when you’re sad can change your attitude, if only for a few seconds and make you a little happier.
I felt only compassion and anger at first. Fear tried to sneak in but love and compassion prevailed. I loved that woman at that moment. She became everything to me in those few minutes. I was willing to risk my life to save a stranger. A senior citizen, homeless, possibly drug addict. People would argue that she’s got nothing to offer the world, her life is near the end, and she’s the problem in this city…. I say she’s a human being, therefor she was my family and I protect and help my family.
The guy ran off and together with the cops we chased him down and captured him. Later the cops said “thank you” and called me a “hero”. “We know Sarah well, thank you for what you did” one police officer said. I just did what should always be done. Sarah was a friend to many people. Everyone’s life takes a rough turn and if you don’t have enough positive support around you, you can be on the street. I could be Sarah if not for the family and friends in my life. Sarah still has a purpose. She may never know it but she changed my life forever. As I write this in a dark room, alone, listening to “The Naitonal” and thinking about everything that happen and how our lives are so different. I’m grateful for her in my life. Every negative situation has a positive side to it. I’m not happy Sarah had to experience that fear and pain. I’m sure her life has been full of it. To be living on the streets, in this dangerous world, alone, hungry, without family. If I spared her form a little less pain in this life then I am happy.
I still see her occasionally now as I walk around the neighborhood. It turns out the she’s a local homeless person. She looks better now and saw her having a conversation with some friends recently. She does not recognize me as I pass by her but I always look and think about introducing myself. Maybe getting to know her. Maybe I will, soon. There’s a connection between us now. As if the universe brought her and me together at that exact moment for some reason.
What is a hero? I did what my primordial instincts told me to do. Protect! I’m no hero but aspire to be one. Maybe this is part of my journey on the path to becoming one. Can I continue to help, inspire, guide and make a positive impact on the world? Maybe? But I know for a fact that I won’t let fear get in my way. Never let fear tell you what to do. Let love guide the way and you’ll be safe and continue to take RISK.