With all the hype surrounding Athletes, Actors, Musicians, and other Media driven careers; Fathers, Barbers, Plumbers, Pastors, and the average Joe has been lost in the shuffle of those who are considered ideal candidates for mentorship. Success has changed considerably over time, and is now driven by the dollar, car, home, and the “bling-bling”. But who are these men? What values do they possess? What story lies behind the overnight success? My goal with this article is to take a look at the men who may cut your hair or bring you to a climatic praise each and every Sunday. “The Unseen Hero”

Growing up, I can remember the excitement I felt every Saturday morning watching “Spider Man” and “Super Man”; this was the highlight of my week. This was the one day my sisters didn’t control the television and I was free to watch my favorite cartoons. As I sat front and center with a bowl of Frosted Flakes, I found myself mesmerized by these masked men jumping and flying over buildings. It was only later in life that I realized my hero was right in the next room. He didn’t wear a mask, wasn’t able to jump over buildings, nor do I ever remember him catching a villain. He was a regular guy, but possessed the strength and courage of any Super Hero on television. This man I’m referring to is my Dad.

My father would be considered an “Average Joe” in the world today. He wasn’t a Power Broker, Actor, or an Athlete. He was just a man with morals and values, and one who could fix anything. Taking a deeper look into his characteristics, I can now see he possessed many traits of a “Super Hero”. Let’s take a quick look at the man I deem “Hero”. In our house, he saved the day 7 times a week, which was every day. He maintained peace in the home and provided a sense of safety. When faced with challenges, he managed to tackle each one with strength and wisdom. And whether he won the battle or not, he never left the battleground without a lesson. To me, this is a hero.

The true meaning of success has been tarnished by the media and many of our youth have been influenced to believe success is measured by the material items we possess. If you’re not wearing Prada, you’re not successful. If your contract is not worth 20 million a year, you’re not successful. And because of this, the true heroes are overlooked and unseen. You may have noticed we live in a “Microwave” world. We want it quick, fast, and in a hurry. Because of the fast pace and pressure to complete a task quickly, we have no time to wait. This same mentality has been adopted by most of our youth. We want the glitz and glam, fame and fortune, and notoriety now. There’s no time to wait. But today, I encourage you to start a new trend. Don’t continue to overlook the hero’s right in front of you.

“Spider Man”, “Super Man”, and maybe even your “Pops”, are now replaced with Kobe, Jay Z, Ceelo, and many others. In no way am I saying these are bad role models, or men who are not worthy to be mentors. However, have you overlooked the “Hero” within your home, community, church, or school? Have you ever considered your Father, Barber, Pastor, or even Teacher as the man you want to become? I believe finding a mentor is the greatest gift you can give to yourself. What are your dreams? And do you know anyone who possesses the tools to help you accomplish these dreams? When taking inventory of the men in your life, is there someone you’ve over looked because he’s not wearing the “bling-bling”, or driving the Range Rover with 26 inch rims? Maybe it’s your Pastor, or the guy who’s the cashier at the convenient store on the corner. Don’t let the occupation deter you from seeing the characteristics of the individual. Mentors are important on the journey we call “Life”. So don’t be blinded by the mask of success. Find the man you want to become right in your neighborhood.