My heroes are people who shine, act and broadcast clear ideals that have shaped my personality and mission in life. Heroes don’t always save babies in burning buildings. Sometimes they simply show us courageous ways to live in the world. In one way or another, all of my heroes are Not F*ing Around.

 

During the formative Jr. High years, I used to watch reruns of MASH after dinner when I was supposed to be doing my homework. Clever move, I know.

Alan Alda portrayed the character of Hawkeye Pierce— the fun loving surgeon from Crab Apple Cove, dropped in a war he didn’t believe in. Covered in blood and guts nearly every day. Laughing his way through the terror of it all.

Hawkeye was punk rock. He’d playfully diss the visiting generals. He’d walk naked through the mess hall. He’d constantly flip off authority in the name of common sense, peace and making it through the hell of war.

Although Hawkeye was constantly catching shit and getting busted, he always held the winning card. He cared more, he had top skills in the operating room and he simply would not stop in the things he believed in. In one episode he stuck his hand into a dead guy’s chest to massage his heart back to life. He didn’t succeed. But holy f*ing f*. The guy was no holds barred NFA.

Hawkeye is my hero because he always questioned authority, believed in peace and equality, and had the skills and moxie to shake up the world of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.

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How do you question authority?

How do you shake up your world?