"Part Three: The 'In Search Of Heroes' Core Master Mind Team Inspire and Encourage You As They Answer the In Search Of Heroes Questions"
What is your definition of heroism?
Robert Channing: I just spoke to my wife about that this morning; because I told her I was going to be on the line with you, Ralph. She said, and we agreed, it’s the people that make a difference in one person’s life.
If I can make a difference in my neighbor’s life that morning or that afternoon, maybe once a day and bring somebody up that’s been down or helped somebody, like I know you are doing with your family, that’s a hero.
To me, if I can change one life, I don’t know who quoted this before, but it’s a quote from somewhere. If you can change one person’s life, and make them happy, make them feel better about themselves or help them in any other way, you’ve actually helped humanity itself. That’s my definition of heroism.
Ralph Zuranski: That’s so true.
Robert Channing: Helping one person at a time.
Ralph Zuranski: I totally agree. Did you ever create a secret hero in your mind that helped you deal with life’s problems when you were young?
Robert Channing: Yes, I did. Well, God was my hero. I was brought up Catholic. I was an altar boy for 11 years.
Ralph Zuranski: So was I.
Robert Channing: I remember sitting in a small church. I came from a little town called Newport, New York. There were probably around three people in our little town, one blinking light, one Catholic Church and one Methodist church.
I remember doing my services in the evening, the Stations of the Cross. There were maybe like five or six people in the church. I’d be there myself before the mass would start. I’d be there, present with a Being and that’s what I believed that yes, there is a God, there is some Higher Power.
I think that by being by myself in that big open church and just thinking and being open to thoughts in the Universe and to God, is what opened my mind to reality and what I could do. I can’t describe it any more than that, it was just a feeling that I had come over me.
Ralph Zuranski: My definition of Heroism is similar to yours. It’s somebody that serves and protects, somebody that sacrifices their life in a way that enriches the people in their own family as individuals, or groups of individuals.
You look at some of the great spiritual leaders like Gandhi or Mother Teresa, or John Paul, the pope who just recently died. Those people gave up their own personal sacrifice of wealth, material possessions and fame to serve others.
I firmly believe just as you do, that it’s those people who serve and protect those in their community, that make a great sacrifice to make a difference, a positive difference in the lives of other people. They are continually working to make the world and other people’s lives better, the best that they possibly can by actually giving action on their part and showing that it’s not “do as I say” but “do as I do”.
Sharif Khan: It stems from the original word ‘hero’ which comes from the Greek roots servos and heros, which means to serve and protect. So self-sacrifice for the higher good and betterment of humanity is at the heart of being a hero. And what that implies is that the seeds of greatness lie within us all because we all have that innate capacity to serve. Martin Luther King said it best: “Everyone can be great, because anyone can serve. You don’t have to have college degree to serve. You don’t even have to make your subject and verb agree to serve…You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Debra Berg: Doing what most people won’t do to help others because of difficult decisions that need to be made or obstacles that have to be overcome.
Cameron Johnson: I think a hero is someone who helps others and gives back. I think that is the simplest definition that I can give you. I know there have been so many heroes in my life that have served as mentors to me in the business world.
They have guided me along, and anytime I have ever asked anyone for advice, I have always been greeted with open arms and have been able to get great advice. A lot of those people have turned out to be my mentors, and a lot of my success is thanks to their credit.
So, I think those are the true heroes, those that give back more than they take from life. I think that is the definition of hero to me.
Click on each name to listen to the heroes interviews of Sharif Khan, Author of "The Psychology Of the Hero Soul," Debra Berg, Author of "The Power Of One," Cameron Johnson, Author of "You Call the Shots: Succeed Your Way – And Live the Life You Want", Robert Channing, the World's Greatest Mind Reader and Mental Motivator and Ralph Zuranski, the Creator Of the In Search Of Heroes Program.
Sharif Khan is President and founder of Diamond Mind Enterprises, an organization devoted to transforming coal minds into diamond minds through the applied pressure of higher knowledge, wellness education, and leadership training. His vision is “to inspire the world with hope, faith, love, respect, excellence, and the courage to dream”. He is the author of the inspirational book about Promoting Heroes in the Workplace and Everyday Life in his "The PSYCHOLOGY OF THE HERO SOUL."
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Cameron Johnson started his first business at the tender age of nine. By age 12, his company was selling Beanie Babies™ over the Internet and he profited $50,000 that year. At the age of fifteen, he became an advisory board member of a Tokyo-based company and published his autobiography in Japanese which became an instant best-seller.
At the age of 21, he has founded and sold more than a dozen businesses and has been featured in more than 250 media outlets worldwide including Newsweek, BusinessWeek, the New York Times, USA Today, CNBC, and MSNBC. He’s served as a consultant to several Fortune 500 companies and is a frequent speaker to a variety of audiences including high schools, colleges, and corporate executives.
In January, 2007, his new book titled You Call the Shots: Succeed Your Way – And Live the Life You Want – With the 19 Essential Secrets of Entrepreneurship is being released by Simon & Schuster. Cameron Johnson lives in Blacksburg, Virginia. Visit his official website http://www.cameronjohnson.com.
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Debra Schweiger Berg is an author, researcher, and public speaker. She holds both a B.A. in political science/economics and an M.P.A., (public administration) degree from the University of Illinois. As an undergrad, she staffed the Watergate hearings in Washington, D.C. Post-college; Debra was one of the first women to serve on the staffs of the Illinois, Kentucky, and Minnesota state legislatures. In all three states, she served as a finance analyst for billions of state agency dollars and led studies on special education, welfare, and education. Following that, Minnesota’s largest HMO recruited her as a senior financial analyst.
Then, in the mid-eighties and early nineties, she founded a successful international marketing and training company, TeamNet, Intl., in which she trained and mentored entrepreneurs. That success led to her eventual recruitment by Amdocs, Inc. and Gcom, Inc., both software industry leaders.
In 1995, Debra launched a 10-year personal quest during which she interviewed 130 of America’s new civic heroes, civic entrepreneurs. Her interviews exposed a hidden trend in America, which she chronicles in her book, The Power of ONE: The Unsung Everyday Heroes Rescuing America’s Cities. Debra speaks to a wide range of audiences and captivates them with tales surrounding her 10,000-mile quest and the heroes who’ve invented eye-opening, working solutions to America’s toughest social problems.
She’s received acclaim by the Pew Foundation and cited by the Chicago Sun-Times for her groundbreaking findings. Debra is presently the President of Power of One Publishing and of PowerQuest, a leadership training company that empowers leaders of all ages to realize a life quest.
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Ralph Zuranski is the creator of the The “In Search Of Heroes" Program. It is a local franchise business opportunity for individuals with high integrity. The purpose of the business is to train young people how to be successful in their personal lives and business.
The goal is to teach high school and college students how to generate income for their local ISOH Program, themselves and community businesses by spreading the “Good News” about local heroes and their businesses, if they have one. Students learn how to promote people, products and businesses on the internet and through local newspapers, TV and radio, using the latest techniques and technology.
Students learn the importance and value of spreading “Good News” in their communities about heroic individuals who deserve recognition for their service to others. This valuable information inspires everyone. It helps each person to take pride in their community and the good people that live there that are making a positive difference in the lives of others.
The businesses that deserve recognition for their integrity, service and generosity are also promoted. This increase in income allows local business owners the opportunity to give back even more to their community. With their increased financial independence, they can invest more time and money into worthwhile community programs.
The students become interns for their local “In Search Of Heroesä” Program. As they learn copywriting, online and offline marketing, website design and how to create audio and video programs, they provide these services to local businesses at a discounted price.
Many small local businesses need skilled help in marketing their businesses, but cannot afford high priced companies. Students are the perfect choice to use their developing marketing skills to help these businesses become more successful. As these businesses increase their revenues, the local community can afford to do more to help local community programs. Everyone benefits!