Legend In Our Own Minds

Behind love and growth, I wonder if there's anything as psychologically nourishing as the hope inspired by legend.

One definition of "legend" is:

1.
a. An unverified story handed down from earlier times, especially one popularly believed to be historical.
b. A body or collection of such stories.
c. A romanticized or popularized myth of modern times.
2. One that inspires legends or achieves legendary fame.

Two of the most important legends in my life are the Beatles and Abraham Lincoln. For others, there are spiritual figures like Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad. The words and images associated with them present a bright future. We may take comfort in their humanity similar to our own, or in their perfections beyond our own. In most cases, we hold dearly the notion that someday we can be happier than we are today by following them.

The Beatles experienced what some would call serious depravity by their choices. Yet their devotion to music, the energy they brought to their performance, their genius creativity and reinvention over time, their passive and largely optimistic view of the universe have drawn me in. They've made a musician and songwriter of me. Their songs provide the emotional undercarriage of my mornings, bedtimes, workouts and work days. I see how they touched others, and envision that I might do the same someday.

What man influenced the American destiny as much as Lincoln? Born and raised on dirt floors. Eloquent and captivating speaker with a flair for fables, debate and speeches. Jeered mercilessly as his leadership grew. Saved a nation of millions. Killed by his enemies. Sound like any 2,000 year old legends you know?

Legends can often inspire best from a distance. Our ministers from afar may shine as gifted speakers and role models of sincerity. Do we know if they practice what they preach? Do we really want to know? We already live in, and contribute to, a flawed reality. What arouses our hope are the ideals just a few steps ahead of us. Ideals feed our hunger for purpose. They keep us looking forward with smiling eyes.