achievement ambition appreciation believe in yourself caring character class and grace commitment common ground compassion confidence courage courtesy dedication determination devotion encouragement excellence foresight forgiveness friendship generosity giving back gratitude hard work helping others honesty hope humility ingenuity inspiration integrity laughter leadership learning listening live life live your dreams love loyalty making a difference motivation opportunity optimism overcoming patience peace perseverance persistence preparation reaching out respect responsibility right choices rising above sacrifice sharing soul sportsmanship spread your wings stewardship strength teaching by example team work true beauty trust unity vision volunteering

Your Everyday Heroes

The following hero stories have been tagged with Encouragement

Terry H

Terry Hitchcock is my Hero. After tragically losing his wife to breast cancer and struggling to raise three young children on his own, Terry Hitchcock seized on an idea. He wanted to accomplish the impossible: run 75 consecutive marathons in 75 consecutive days to bring attention to the incredibly difficult lives of single-parent families. read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Kenda N

Kenda is a Hero as she has brought more joy, smiles and higher self-esteem to my young adult child and others like him. You see, Kenda created and directs "Movement E-Motion", a dance program for individuals with different abilities - young adults aged 13 to seniors with Down Syndrome, Autism and physical challenges. This lady, the artistic director of AZDance Group which is a professional c... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Kim P

My hero is my wife. I am a 41 year old colon cancer survivor. She did not let me feel like a victim, and her love helped me persevere. She was strong when I couldn't be. She gave me hope when I thought the worst. She let my cry, but didn't cry herself. It was only after my ordeal was over, did I understand how important her strength was in my recovery. read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Bryant L

Born and raised in Cabrini Green, Chicago's most notorious housing project, Bryant beat the odds and became a person that everyone can look up to. Raised in an extremely impoverished community where he shared a one-bedroom apartment with four others and where friends and family were continually being lost to the streets, Bryant resisted the negative influences around him and excelled in school... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Jody H

I began singing as young as I can remember. And as soon as I could, I enrolled with the best music teacher in town. When I started with her, we could immediately tell our political and religious differences.Through her teaching me, however, we have discovered that we have more in common than we could have ever imagined. We are both determined, passionate, and willing to do anything to achieve o... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Isaias G

My hero is my brother, Isaias. Right now, he is studying at the University of Indianapolis, majoring in Sociology and International Relations. In his free time, Isaias is always going to George Washington Community School and the Christamore House, teaching inner-city kids about leadership, and he is always telling them to stay in school and off the streets. He encourages them that if they s... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Greg L

My hero is my husband Greg. My husband works long, hard hours on the night shift just to give our sons and me a better life. He is a Certified Nursing Assistant at a local hospital and he goes above and beyond his job requirements to make sure that his patients are comfortable, happy, that they feel secure and safe, and he is never too busy to sit and talk with them or lift their spirits. He ne... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Will S.

My hero is my husband, Will. He suffers from FSH Muscular Dystrophy, and has recently been diagnosed with a grade 3 (cancer) brain tumor. We have 2 little girls ages 3 and 4. My husband has been through a needle biopsy in his brain only to determine that his tumor is inoperable, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy (ongoing). He has been hospitalized, and is bound to a wheelchair for getting ... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Amanda G.

Ms. G. teaches everyone to love who they are and she has never judged anyone. She is a very talented teacher and mentor. Ms. G. is not afraid to do anything. She's always willing to defeat fear. She's always there for anyone who needs to talk. And she's always willing to give another chance. She truly wants everyone to get along, and that is how she lives. She is my hero! read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Erin B

Erin B. has taught me that you don't have to be fake or selfish to be popular with your peers. She has come into my life and taught me how to be a better friend and a better person. She brightens every room she walks into, and makes a new friend with everyone she greets with a "Hello." read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Seth C

Seth has worked everday for the past few years for the Taskforce For the Homeless in Atlanta, helping hundreds of people get back on their feet after experiencing a homeless situation. He does this in the face of people that that minimize his work, characterizing it as wasted effort. He never tires of helping those that repeatedly fall, and rejoices for every person who escapes homelessness. S... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

A.J. V.

He has been my best friend since fourth grade and has always stuck up for me. He makes me laugh when I am in the worst mood. He makes the unpopular kids at school feel like they are really important. I wish I could strive to be more like A.J. because he has really made a difference in many people's lives, including mine. read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Priscilla B.

She is the best sister that I could ever have. She is always there for whenever I need her. Every time I see her I get I smile on my face. read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Bobby B.

Bobby is my baseball team’s coach. He has shared his life stories and influenced me in every way he can. He has encouraged me to take a better path than he took in some areas, and he has always tried to make my life better for me. He has the character of a true leader and the heart for the perfect friend. This is why Bobby is my hero. read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Ashley L.

My hero is my sister, Ashley. From the moment I was born she has set a good example for me and has shown me how to do the right thing. She cares about my family and others a lot and is great at showing compassion and reaching out to those in need. She has followed through with her goals and now attends college in San Marcos. I plan to go to college too, just like her.Ashley stands up for what s... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Jeff M

My soccer coach, Jeff M. is my hero. He has showed me so much not only in soccer but also about my outlook on life. I am a usually a negative person about myself and the things I do. Every time I would do something wrong in soccer I would take it out on myself. He is the one who would encourage me after everything I did, good or bad. It really helped, and I started to play much better. I am now... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Brandyn G.

My hero is my brother. Although he is no longer alive he is still my hero. He wasn’t my real brother, he was actually my foster brother but he treated me as if I was his “real” sister all the same. He passed away at the age of seventeen. At the time he was working a full time job and getting his GED at the same time. He was told that all he had to do to get out of foster care ... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Amanda R.

I have a mental illness and Amanda R. is my social worker here in Kansas City, Missouri. Although for the most part I'm okay, I have certainly put Amanda through the ringer for the four years she's been my social worker. I've definitely confused her, and in my mind I'm sure I had her going crazy. There were days where I would leave 10 or 11 messages on her voice mail that she would discove... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Kathryn And David S.

These parents lost both their son, Andrew, and their daughter, Abby to cancer. In honor of their children, Kathryn and David have worked hard to establish a foundation to financially assist families of terminally ill children. The foundation aims to provide enough income for one or both parents to stay home and care for their sick child during what could be their last months of life. Although t... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Prem R

My hero's name is Prem. He has created the Prem Rawat Foundation to show solidarity with people in need and suffering from lack of water, food or natural disasters. At the same time he spreads good values and appreciation for life by traveling around the world to deliver very inspiring talks. That's how I came to know Prem. I met him in 1973 when he was just 15. At such a young age he had alrea... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Margina S.

My mother is my hero as well as my best friend. She cheers me on when no one else is there. She also encourages me when I feel like giving up. She is a fabulous person and she always helps me learn new things.Shes my best friend because she doesn't stay inside and watch TV, instead she comes outside and plays sports with me! If I had three words to describe my mom they would be outgoing, caring... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Roberta S.

This is a story about my Aunt Bobby. She was the most loved person I ever knew. As a boy I remember visiting her and her husband Bob, son Randy and daughter Patty at their Gross Pointe home in Michigan. I arrived one summer after school had let out. I found a family filled with love and a home that ran smoothly though it still had the usual family drama. The big difference in this home? Th... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Erica A.

My hero is my older sister Erica. She has always been there for me when I needed someone to talk to, and she is like a second mother to me. If there is ever something that I can't tell my Mom, I go to Erica because I know that I can trust and confide in her with my secrets and she'll always give me the right advice to help me make a good choice. I love her so much and she’s a great person... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Kelli

My sister, Kelli, is my hero. She has overcome a lifetime of hardships including physical and emotional abuse, substance abuse and poverty. Today, she is a clean and sober single mother of five daughters. Though she works full time and takes phenomenal care of her 5 children, she still finds time on the holidays to take plates of food to less fortunate people she knows throughout the city. She ... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Naomi D.

My hero is a girl I know at work. She started there about 6 months ago after being out of work for over a year. She has some developmental and learning differences that make it hard for her to do math and cash registers, so she couldn't get hired in a lot of places, particularly in retail. But she's told me that everyday during that year with the exception of maybe 10 days, she was out looki... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

My Mother

My mother is my hero because she chose me. I am the only adopted child out of four children; all three of my siblings are my mother’s biological children. So why me? You don’t just adopt a child in 1965 with no story. Yet here I am—a part of the most wonderful family you could ever dream for. My mother made me who I am, she taught me right from wrong, she stood proud no matter... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Ryan

My hero is my husband Ryan. He is my best friend. We have been together for over 8 years and we also have been apart for a long time because we lived on two different continents before we got married. Ryan is the most wonderful person I have ever met. He is always very committed to what he does – at work and at home. People like to be around Ryan because of his amazing personality. He is ... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Sonny H.

After clicking nearly all of the values below, I realized how much my former boss, mentor, and friend is a hero to not just myself, but everyone he interacts with. Sonny puts together academic programs at a huge California university campus. Sonny’s favorite program is in July, and he especially loves the teens who attend on scholarships. He literally will not sleep until he gets everythi... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Melissa C.

My hero is my history teacher. She has been an inspiration to so many people. She lives on a pretty meager teacher’s salary yet donates over half of it to charity foundations. She hasn't done anything particularly extraordinary that I know of. But she doesn't have to. Her values and her character make me want to be exactly like her. Isn't that what the true meaning of a hero is though? So... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Cassidy M.

My hero's name is Cassidy, but I rarely call her that. I call her Marty because she has eyes like Marty Feldman, but only when she puts stress on them to make me laugh. She will do anything to make someone laugh and make the people around her happy. She is absolutely hilarious. I can go to her crying my eyes out and by the time she's done with me I am literally rolling on the floor laughing. Ma... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Willam M.

My hero was my stepfather Bill. He passed away suddenly three weeks ago. When he was in my life and the life of my two young girls, he was there for us through everything. If I dropped my girls off at the babysitter and they needed medicine or diapers or anything, he would drop whatever he was doing and take it to his pride and joys - his granddaughters. My stepfather never failed us anytime... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Ryan And Cindy K.

In 2002, Ryan Kerr was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer. His mother, Cindy Kerr, began making pillowcases to brighten up his hospital room and to put a smile on his face. He loved it and she began making pillowcases for other children with cancer at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Ryan was a most remarkable young man. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 12, his life w... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT

Elizabeth G.

My grandmother, Elizabeth, is my hero. She has taught me to never give up on my dreams or myself and has always been there for me when times have been tough. As my husband and I continue our journey to try once again to become parents, I am inspired and motivated by the dedication she had in this same process. My grandmother finally became a mother after five miscarriages. She inspires me and g... read more→
Values: ENCOURAGEMENT