Bethany Hamilton

Being selfless is one of the most important heroic traits to me because it depicts the image of an unselfish person who continues to constantly put others before themselves. This character trait is something I find very difficult to do at "times" but when I am practicing this trait I do it unnoticed. Hamilton was selfless when it came to being involved in numerous charitable efforts, but especially to her own foundation named Friends of Bethany. This organization was set out to assist young amputees to overcome their false sense of hope within themselves, but to replace that with the Lord himself. Hamilton doesn't just leave her heart with the waves. She has a very giving heart. "I've had the chance to embrace more people with one arm than I ever could with two" (Bethany Hamilton). Being selfless is very rewarding because you're not just doing it because it has to be "done" but instead you're doing it because you know how much of a difference could be made if you do it. As they say, you reap what you sow and Hamilton put a colossal amount of good seeds in the ground resulting in all of the prosperity, fame, but the most important out of them all, happiness.

Determined. Being determined is also one of the most heroic traits to me because it shows how focused and how serious a person is about accomplishing a goal in mind. I believe that I am a very competitive person. I am always determined to be better even though sometimes it feels like life has the tendency to knock me down. Hamilton best-exemplified determination when after the shark attack and she was just destined to get back in the water. It's crazy how after a teenager at her age being involved in a catastrophic incident found the drive to keep pressing on and to transfer all her attention and focus towards the real objective surfing. I strongly believe a person without determination is a distressed person. If Bethany didn't have the mentality to overcome her lows and make them highs she would have never reached fame and fortune. Bethany was scarred "physically" but she prohibited it from scarring her emotionally. "Her courage and positive attitude has also earned her numerous awards and product endorsements -- as well as widespread acclaim and admiration." (ABC News)

Faithfulness is another one of the most important heroic traits to me because I am a very religious person. I feel as if I put my faith in my God and continue to entrust him with my life I am determined to have success due to his guidance. Faith in God wasn't the only thing that assisted Bethany in her times of darkness. It was the faith she had in herself that strengthened and altered her perspective towards her new and changed life which made it easier for her to get through those tough times. " There was no "old" and "new" Bethany. Just the daughter I had always known. The one with the God-given spirit of a champion. And nothing, not even a shark, could ever change that." (Tom Hamilton) Having large amounts of faith is critical when it comes to dealing with huge obstacles being placed in your life. It gives you a boost of confidence and hope that you are going to be alright in the end if you just set your mind to it. What's life without complications? I have never heard of a perfect life that is outside of Disney movies. Not everything has to have a perfect "ending" but if you do what you have to do and with also being faithful you are bound to seek victory.

Bethany Hamilton is not only an inspiring individual, but she is a great role model. One of the very few people I can look up to in life. She contains qualities that aren't very ubiquitous in today's society. Concluding with all her accomplishments, in 2004 Hamilton wrote an autobiography that was one of the New York Times best-selling, which later turned into the 2011 movie called Soul Surfer.  "While this story is certainly about faith, 'Soul Surfer' is most inspiring when it exalts faith in one's self." (New York Times) There are different types of heroes that once walked the Earth, but it's your choice if you want to be one.