And chances are you don’t want to meet them. They are yourheroes for all the variety of reasons including you can’t meet them.
When your idol is far away, then a specific idea of themstarts to take birth. Of course, what they are speaking or preaching isimportant, good and connects with you. But their physical traits, smallannoyances, and attitude can’t be judged from far off.
So you start making assumptions, and if someone is yourhero, then those ideas are positive ones.
You expect them to behave correctly, laugh at your jokes,and hang out with you. And if you meet them, the reality can throw you off.
All of a sudden, you will feel your heroes are a differentperson and all your life you have been living a lie.
The disconnect can be intense. Yes, it doesn’t happen witheveryone, but there is a possibility. So if there is someone whom you revere asgod-like and can imbibe their good qualities, then let this stage be. Don’t tryto interact at a micro-level – because chances are you might see their humanside and the magic might get lost.
The Distance
The Internet has made it easy for anyone to connect witheach other, become friends and beyond. The six degrees of separation is aphrase which denotes that everyone can be connected with 6 people in between –like a chain.
For example, if you need to connect with Elon Musk then youcan reach out to your teacher, then she can reach out their superiors and onand on…
At one point, there will come a person who knows Elon Musk.You don’t know him directly, but with the right 6 people, you can connect withhim.
Now that the Internet has exploded, social media is booming,connecting with people who are at the top is relatively easy.
You can follow their social media accounts, provide value,and then reach out. Maybe they will respond – that’s one to one connection, allthanks to the internet boom. But what if you need to connect with them inphysical space, then the challenge is real.
The distance still exists – many of your heroes are indifferent countries, and it is tough to find them at a place, fly there andsomehow make your way to meet them. Even if you do all this, you are notguaranteed a shot more than a selfie.
The Other Way
What if it’s okay if you don’t meet your heroes. It’s betterthis way because you aren’t shattered if they turn out to benot-how-you-imagined.
Also, you can do your best work based upon the leadershipthey give you. For example, I love Jackie Chan and Seth Godin, among manyothers. I consider them my mentors, heroes, and someone whom I can reach out.
Jackie Chan is at a heightened level, so it is impossible toreach him on the Internet. While Seth Godin because of his generosity isavailable to many readers on email.
Although a part of me wants to meet them, hang out and chill– a part of me has made peace with the fact that they are different levels.
And the best way for me to honour them is to take theirteachings and implement in my work, way of life and more. So that’s what I do,and I encourage you to do the same, your heroes will be happy.
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