What I learned from the Chilean Miners

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Were you like myself and millions of others around the globe last night, glued to your TVs, watching the successful rescue of the miners in Chile? I felt emotional and elated watching as each man emerged from the narrow rescue capsule, nicknamed Phoenix, to be greeted with joyful embraces from their loved ones and cheers from the crowd. It was almost like witnessing a return from the dead – how many of us could have imagined at the outset of their ordeal that these men would emerge from their underground tomb safe and alive. But a light of hope still burned in the hearts of the miners and their spirits shone through – an inspiration to us all. The world hails these men as heroes and so they are. And they are not alone in their heroism. The world is full of everyday heroes, but we do not see them on our TV screens. I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles wrote another hero, Christopher Reeve. Although he never planned it that way, Christopher Reeve became a real life super hero for our time. When a riding accident changed his life forever, he showed grace, determination, commitment, and courage in living with disability. We are all of us capable of the same in our own lives.

 This feeling was summed up beautifully for me in today’s editorial from the Irish Independent:

“Long before the world knew where these men were; or if there was any prospect of ever bringing them to the surface, they had resolved that flickering flame would not be quenched by the fears and doubts that assailed each and every one of them.

And that is why when Florencio Alvalos finally staggered into the open yesterday, the lantern of hope that carried these men through their unforgiving two-month nightmare lit up the whole world.

Even the most sceptical would have to agree that what we have seen unfold represents all that is best in human nature.

While these men might have been expected to surrender to the soul-crushing terror of their ordeal, instead they rose above it.

Even in the most forbidding circumstances, dignity, courage and strength prevailed.

Their commitment to pull through has a lesson for the wider world borne down by recession. These working men refused to falter and instead fought to overcome the terrible odds. Their character prevailed over the formidable forces ranged against them.

Any wonder then that yesterday’s scenes of joy and jubilation were so extraordinary.

Such a spontaneous show of love and happiness, and such unstinting celebration of life has become a very rare thing.

This is not an age of heroes, but if the story of the miners has done nothing else. it has reminded us of what a priceless thing it is to be alive.”

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