The Heroism of Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary

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This post is based on the following chapter in the Encyclopedia of Heroism Studies:

By Scott T. Allison

Finding the extraordinary within the mundane can be a deeply heroic act. In a world that often glorifies grand achievements and remarkable feats, there is a quiet heroism in the everyday individual who faces the routines of life with resilience and grace. This heroism lies in the ability to discover purpose, meaning, and beauty in the seemingly ordinary.

                             The Banality of Heroism

Zeno Franco and Philip Zimbardo (2006) proposed the idea of the “banality of heroism,” which challenges the conventional belief that heroes are exceptional individuals in extraordinary situations. The banality of heroism suggests that heroic acts are not limited to rare circumstances or a select group of people but are instead within reach of ordinary individuals in everyday life. Heroes can emerge not only in the face of extreme danger or crises but also in routine, everyday moments where people demonstrate acts of altruism, kindness, and moral courage.

The Heroism of the Masses

American psychologist William James (1899, 2) noted a quiet heroism within the working class, recognizing “the great fields of heroism lying round about” him. He was captivated by the small, seemingly insignificant everyday actions that demonstrated unacknowledged heroism. James argued that living a heroic life on a personal level involves the ability to let a higher ideal guide one’s actions. This ideal could be as simple as living a life defined by honesty and integrity.

The Heroism of Living an Ordinary Life

Craig Kocher (2016) also examined the positive psychological effects of discovering the extraordinary within the ordinary. Kocher shares the story of Jayber Crow, the main character in Wendell Berry’s novel. Crow leaves his small Kentucky town with dreams of achieving something remarkable, but eventually returns later in life. He then embraces a simple life as a barber and gravedigger. Instead of feeling discouraged by what might seem like a lack of heroic achievement, Crow builds an extraordinary life from the simplicity of his daily routines. He becomes “fully immersed in the community’s life” and realizes that “the fabric of his life is fully intertwined with people he knows and loves.” Despite not reaching the social status he once envisioned, Crow finds deep satisfaction and purpose in his life.

It’s a Wonderful Life Helping People

In the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, George Baily spends his life helping poor people. He dreams of leaving his dreary hometown of Bedford Falls, but circumstances continually keep him from doing so. Frustrated by his unmet ambitions, George considers ending his life, but is stopped by a guardian angel named Clarence, who shows George how bleak and troubled the townspeople would have been if he had never existed.

Through this revelation, George realizes that his seemingly ordinary life had profound meaning and purpose all along.

Many Small Positive Acts Add Up to Heroism

Ernest Becker (1973) explored the psychological aspects of how people confront their own mortality. People want to live a heroic life but almost always fall short. Rather than abandoning the pursuit of heroism, Becker advocates for a redefinition of what it means to live a virtuous and meaningful life. He writes, “The most that any one of us can seem to do is to fashion something—an object or ourselves—and drop it into the confusion, make an offering of it, so to speak, to the life force.” Becker suggests that individuals can adopt a mindset of acceptance—not as a cynical rejection of life, but as a healthy acknowledgment of their own limitations. He argues that people can find a balance by maintaining a deep respect for the mysterious vastness of the universe while also making many small, meaningful contributions to better the world.

Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary is essential to our emotional and psychological well-being. Everyday moments have the power to boost our happiness, resilience, and overall life satisfaction. Developing a mindset that values the extraordinary within the seemingly mundane not only boosts our mental health but also fosters a more fulfilling, meaningful, and heroic life.