“I ain’t lived forever but I’ve lived enough. I’ve learned to be gentle and I’ve learned to be tough. I’ve found only two things that last to the end; One is your heroes and the other’s your friends.” ~Heroes and Friends by Randy Travis
These words echoed through my thoughts as I watched my best friend load up her Jeep and drive away. Just as anyone who watches a loved one depart, my heart welled up with bittersweet sadness.
Friends
Spending two weeks with my best friend was blissful – we were like two girls back in college as if no time had passed. Although we’ve both grown in so many ways – traveled, picked up new hobbies, made new friends, married the loves of our lives, and bought our first homes – we haven’t grown apart.
Quite the opposite actually. I know now more than ever that my friend will always be by my side, no matter how much time and distance there is between us.
Do you have such a friend?
She’s what Anne of Green Gables would call a “bosom friend — an intimate friend, you know–a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul.”
Like my friend Zeenat recently wrote, soul mates can come in many forms. A friend like that is a rare treasure, and I’m fortunate to say I’ve found one. She’s enriched my life beyond measure, as all such friends do.
Aside from my bosom friend, I feel so fortunate to have many incredible friends in my life.
Some were childhood friends – ones that fill my past full of happy memories – trading our toys, selling lemonade, and riding our bikes all over town. Some were high school friends – ones that were with me through the most transformative years of my life, getting me into sports, getting me into trouble, and seeing me through my first love and loss.
As an adult, friends have flowed in and out of my life, through college, work, and various hobbies. Some will stay in my life and others will slowly fade out, but all will impact my life for the better.
For at our very core, we are social beings, and we need our friends.
Friends are what make coffee talks interesting, work less boring, and life more fulfilling. They are the ones who make us laugh, and are there for us when we cry. They are the ones who believe in us, experience the joys of life with us, and stand by us through the trials of our lives.
Heroes
Just as we need our friends, we all need our heroes as well – those wonderful and seemingly super-human beings who inspire us to new levels of greatness simply by being who they are and doing what they do.
Like the many friends who come and go, my life has been filled with heroes every step of the way. They’ve come in many forms – cartoon characters, family members, teachers, coaches, historical figures, priests, motivational speakers, mentors, and other amazing people who are out there living passionately and authentically.
While my friend was here visiting, I had the opportunity to hear one of such heroes speak at the annual gathering of the North Country Trail Association. Andrew Skurka was invited to deliver a presentation about his most recent epic backpacking adventure around Alaska and the Yukon.
If you’re a backpacker, odds are you’ve heard of Andrew. He was named “Person of the Year” by Backpacker in 2005 and “Adventurer of the Year” by National Geographic in 2007 and Outside in 2010. Furthermore, he was featured in the March 2011 issue of National Geographic, who flew out to Alaska three times during his 6 month journey to film and photograph his feats.
I first heard Andrew speak at the 2010 Adventure Summit held at Wright State University. He discussed some of this incredible thru-hikes as well as his philosophy on lightweight backpacking. Both times, I left feeling inspired, full of energy, and the urge to be out on the trail right away.
That’s what our heroes do — they move and inspire us through their words and actions.
Listening intently during his recent talk, I was mesmerized as Andrew spoke and flipped through pictures and videos of his Alaska-Yukon adventure.
“People always ask me ‘Why do you do this?’” he relayed to us as he began scrolling through pictures of breathtaking landscapes and indigenous peoples. “I do it to experience the aesthetics, the beauty of nature. I do it to experience different cultures. Ultimately, I do it because life is short and I want to do what makes me happiest.”
During his Alaska-Yukon expedition, Andrew described experiencing higher highs and lower lows than ever before. “I was on an emotional roller coaster.”
At one point during the expedition, he felt like he was reaching a physical and mental breaking point, as though he was always one step away from a tragic mistake. Exasperated, he called one of his mentors, explaining how uncomfortable he was feeling. To which he received, “Skurka, this is big wilderness. You’ll never be comfortable, and frankly, that’s how you should want it.”
I guess even heroes need their heroes sometimes. 
As he pressed on, Andrew developed an even deeper sense of respect and humility for the land, and he experienced a fundamental shift in the way he approached the wilderness. “It required a great deal of patience. I had to operate on nature’s terms.”
Expeditions like these force you to act on a very primal level. It became “Move. Eat. Sleep.” And after awhile, he realized “eating and sleeping are just tools. Enablers. It’s all about the movement.”
This point really hit home as he approached a caribou crossing filled with thousands of tracks. He showed us a very moving video clip that showcased the powerful emotions welling up inside him at the moment. “Big wilderness is a place where you come to get humbled…You’re just another animal on this planet…Out here, I feel like I’m experiencing life.”
Why am I telling you all of this?
To put it simply: I was inspired. We all need others to inspire us, and we all have the power to inspire.
“Your heroes will help you find good in yourself. Your friends won’t forsake you for somebody else. They’ll both stand beside you through thick and through thin, and that’s how it goes with heroes and friends.” ~Heroes and Friends by Randy Travis
I would like to encourage you to take some time to think about your own heroes and friends today.
Who are the friends who you can always count on? Who always has your back? Whose back do you have?
Who are your heroes? Who out there inspires you? What is it about them or what they do that inspires you? Who are you or what are you doing that inspires others?
If I haven’t said it to you before, thanks so much for being my friend, and for all the inspiration you give to me!
Image credit: Anne of Green Gables Photo Gallery; Andrew Skurka File Photos
A~
Great post! Too weird though…just the other day I was thinking about you and your upcoming adventure. I got to thinking of two songs you liked as a girl, in fact I can still hear you singing them
…Heartland and Where the Sidewalk Ends, both by George Strait. So what did I do next, looked up the lyrics. I figured there had to be some reason I was thinking of you and these songs popped up, maybe just a good memory meant to put a smile on my face (and it did). But in those silly little lyrics that don’t really apply to anything specific right now I found these words…”There’s a place where mornings are an endless blue; And you feel mother nature walk along with you; Where simple people living side by side; Still wave to their neighbor when they’re drivin’ by.”
Enjoy your adventure. I’ll have you in my prayers.
Lots of Love,
M
p.s. remember when we called the country radio station and sang a Judds song…too funny
Thanks, M! Too funny, I think about that from time to time too! Us driving along in the van belting out “Heartland,” and of course, there’s always “Delta Don.”
Those lyrics are perfect for today! I took Ziva for a walk out to a local park, took my shoes off, and we both ran around barefoot for awhile. The sun was shining and it felt great to have grass between my toes again. It reminded me of running around in the yard on Cole Road when we were little. I hope your girls get to run around barefoot in the yard…
Much love to you, too!
P.s. Haha, I just saw your “P.S”!! I completely don’t remember that (damn my terrible memory), but that sounds like something we would do! Too funny.
Hi Adrienne,
I loved this post. I have a best friend from childhood too. We can not see each other for a year and then just pick up right where we left off.
As far as heroes go….hmm? I’d have to say that Louise Hay is my hero. She lived through some great difficulties but by changing her thinking she was able to emerge victorious. I love her books, her philosophy and of course, her publishing company!
The latest wisdom shared by Angela Artemis/Poweredbyintuition: Are You a Human Being or A Human Doing?
Hi Angela,
So happy you stopped by and enjoyed the post! Unfortunately, I haven’t kept in touch with most of my childhood friends, as we moved around a lot. However, I feel so fortunate to have been so close with my cousin (who commented above), and our relationship is like that of you and your childhood friend, which is amazing.
I had never heard of Louise Hay before–I had to look her up. Wow, she certainly does look like an amazing woman though! One day…
Hi, Adrienne! –
I’m grateful to have good girlfriends and an awesome boyfriend.
Who are my heroes? The artist, Gregory Colbert, comes to mind. I guess, like you, I admire someone who represents the best of what I aspire to be in my artwork — innovative, spirit-filled, successful.
Thank you for this inspiring post
Hi Linda,
Thanks for stopping by! That’s a great way to put it–our heroes represent the best of what we aspire to be! I wish you all the best with your artwork.
Once upon a time I used to be artistic, then moved away from it to pursue science. I guess as a kid I thought I couldn’t have both.
P.S. Adrienne: Interesting you should contrast art with science because my work actually bridges the two areas, and throw a little spirituality in to round out the process
I hope you’ll stop by my site and take a look sometime — You will love the community and bring a lot to the conversation by adding your unique perspective!
Thanks!
The latest wisdom shared by Dangerous Linda: improvapalooza
Linda, I’m intrigued! On my way over for a visit now…
Hello Adrienne,
These are Hero/Friends that I have.
One who has passed away (is it already 4 years?). He was my *Big Brother* Mike Long. His spirit will always be with me…so yes…he is my ‘soul mate’. His legacy is the Rock N’ Roll Marathon that he helped to create, this foundation http://www.entoto.org/index.html ,and the multitudes of all walks of people throughout the world that instantly loved him. We were very close, and yes covered each other’s backs as best we could…neither perfect…but we never expected each other to be perfect.
My *Little Brother* will be here for a visit come mid- Sept. I mentioned him here at your site once before. His life on his sailboat has been transcendental, exhilarating, and tragic. For the past 18 years he has lived what we only read about, or see fictionalized on the big-screen. Even though we have not been around each other regularly… like when he lived here before sailing away (was also close to Mike Long) he has managed to come up big covering my back when I have needed heip.
I can also include a Hero/Friend lady. I mentioned her before at another site with this same theme. When I surf fish or run barefoot on the beach we may meet up and run together, or she will stop and talk while I am on the beach fishing. This good friend has taken care of the same quadriplegic for over 20 years. She’s just pure un-selfish dedication. The inner peace…the projection of her wonderfulness can be seen daily as she slowly runs barefoot along the beach with umbrella in hand. This good friend I can alway relie on for *true* council.
I would also like to include Joy as a Hero/Friend. I need not say anything…as you know and understand her heart the same as I do.
If I can possibly reflect any of these people’s true essence, no matter how small in my own life…I could say to myself “Life has been lived genuine from the heart”.
Thank you Adrienne…
Dear Rand,
I wish you could see the smile on my face!
I always love your stories and hearing about the wonderful people that have graced your life–and yes, I definitely remember the sailor! It’s interesting how you have included many of your heroes and friends as one and the same, and that’s such a great point. Many of my heroes have also been wonderful friends as well–like my mom.
Have you and Joy ever been able to meet up? I get the feeling that you live not all that far apart from one another. She is definitely someone I would love to spend time with as well.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
Hi again!
I’ve just got done researching online of an etching that I found “Los Proverbios 2″ by Francisco De Goya…looks to be an early 1900′s edition…thought to take a break and check out some of my friends before I shut down and go for a beach run.
Well! I am glad to have given you that big smile…maybe its a little bit of the reflection thing coming into play.
Yes!! How about our parents?
Just knowing what hard life my mom faced growing up in her first 15 years before she married my father at age16.
Mike Longs mother was born in a sod house way out no where in Montana…I saw the original photograph of her as a todler outside the front door.
Perhaps Joy and I will meet some day. Who knows what may come down the road. Yes, I *as well* would like to spend some time with her. I get the feeling the conversations would have endless variations…like we have always known each other…
Wonderful post.
My daughter, Nava, is one of my heroes. She has the best disposition- so positive and upbeat – despite having to work through many odds; never a complaint or a whine.
I’ve got a couple of good friends for 40 years, since teenagerhood. There’s nothing like having a friend who’s known you throughout your life even if you don’t see them much. There’s that ‘historical’ bond.
I’m inspired by people who can carry on and create good, meaningful and joyful lives despite their personal adversities. Hence, the work I involve myself in. I love movies, books (memoirs), stories around this theme. I am uplifted by people who can create positive out of negative.
Harriet,
That’s really amazing for you to be able to say that–and she must get it from somewhere!
I know exactly what you mean about being inspired by people who are able to triumph over adversity–to learn and grow from it. Do you know Joy from Unfolding Your Path to Joy? She is one of my favorite examples of that in someone that I know.
I’ve been through some tough things, but nothing that I consider to be extremely traumatic or challenging, but I’d like to hope that I would be able to rise above it if something did happen. It almost seems like those times are inevitable, but by developing ourselves during the good times, hopefully we are better preparing ourselves for the difficult times.
Adrienne,
Wow..so much to love about this article!
My definition of a hero is similar to yours: someone who knows their truth and lives it daily–despite external circumstances…every day people who live extraordinary lives because Truth tends to shine:)
And friends..I live a heart based life, so my connections are my treasures. I value each one for what I am able to share and learn as I open my heart to the friendship, and for what I am able to receive that magnifies the radiance within my life and allows me to step beyond comfort into magnificent unknown.
Thank *you* for your inspiration, and for the kind words you’ve shared in the comments above
The latest wisdom shared by Joy: A Sparkle of Ecstasy