It is interesting to think what this all will look like some day. It is even more interesting to speculate how it will get there. The concept of future is, to be sure, an intriguing one, one which fills men with the sort of terrible fear they gape at and bask in.
It is reverent, this future of ours. But at the same time, there are specific paths to this future which, in my most dishonorable opinion, are not worthy of testing to get to this glorious possibility of ours, that vast potential we all dream of where RLSH is common in the mind of man, or at least present in some aspect. That shining new day where we are actually a recognizedly valuable addition to the community of man. But again, there are paths there which I see starting to be tread now which I believe will not lead to this dream of ours.
With an increase in popularity and exposure was sure to come an increase in those who really have yet to understand why we put on our little masks. "Troll" is the common phrase I see for this, and while it is acceptable to question a man for his purpose and reason, to mock for sheer enjoyment and derisive pleasure is, bluntly, rude. I see an influx in many places of people who neither care for helping or for understanding; merely to come and point at the freaks in spandex. We have our villains, and they do a fine job of trolling enough. We do not need pretenders who do the same thing.
I also occasionally wonder as to the validity and purpose of some meet ups. Sure, meeting with other RLSH is always a blast, and helps to give that boost of confidence to get out in the field some of us need. But for some reason I feel like the purpose and intent of many patrols and comings out is being lost. I am not sure if I am alone in this, but it feels sometimes like the more people there are doing this, the more there are who go out just for the sake of going out.
My worry is that patrols will become a fashionable item, something superficial which new RLSH can flout and say I am real, even if their "patrol" was neither involved nor well thought out. I am not saying necessarily that it is happening now, just that it is a worry of mine. To trivialize the safety and protection of the community you set out to defend in order to gain a mere boost in ego and credibility is heinously wrong. If you patrol, it should be with purpose, and it should be thorough, and it should be careful.
I see many say that they have done patrols and done charity work and done so much training and know criminology and are developing fantastic gadgets. What good is development if it never develops something else? We live and work as people who fall under the label of "Real Life Super Hero." That, is a very heavy label to work under, but we should not feel that weight. We should not rest on what can be done, but we should strive and yearn for what should be done. Charity donations are not enough; charity founding is starting to get there. Patrols fall short; a concerted effort with law enforcement and teams is needed. We must be better than we think we can be, and then go further. This title, this label, this movement, this community demands nothing less than your absolute best. If you are not willing to give it, of course you are still welcome to fall in amongst the ranks. But can you really stay there with that feeling that you may be doing enough and be okay with it? If the answer is no, then it is time to rethink some things about your life and future.
This may sound pretentious. It is a bit. I have not done nearly enough. This is as much a wake up call to others as it is to myself. We all must pull deep down inside ourselves and draw out those last reserves, and put them forth to create new horizons.
The future happens, but not without us. We create our own tomorrow, and if you really want it to be better than what yesterday was, you have to work at it. Our community of costumed citizens must strive to commit themselves to the best, and nothing less. After all, this is what our future should be. If you are not ready to be as good as the future you seek, stop. And think. Come back when you are. We will be waiting.
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Awareness Challenge 3:
Answer your own complaints. A lot of people like to complain. This is natural. But few think up the answer. The next time you complain, stop, think, and seriously try to come up with what would be the best way to solve the issue you just put forth. RLSH is work, and we must be masters of solving problems, even and especially those we put forth. You must also be willing to think, really think, on the fly. Try doing this exercise. Those of you who actually do post your responses. I know I will.
Stay frosty everyone.
