Real Life Superhero Community VS. Costumed Charity Movement

I kind of feel like this will be the most controversial thing that will ever be in any of my blogs. More than my political rants, more than my religious rants, more than all of that.

But these thoughts and feelings have been building up for years. And as well as through observations, experience, interactions, studying, theories, all put together, this is what I've come up with, at least as of now.

I don't think a lot of people will like what I have to say. But I also know that a lot of people will like what I have to say. Either way, neither changes my thoughts and feelings on this. And I feel that this is very important for the sake of preserving something that is important to me. And that is the Superhero Community consisting of actual Superheroes, instead of Costumed Charity Movement people.

Superheroes DO NOT wear "costumes". Costumes are for trick or treaters, and actors. They are something people wear when they are pretending to be something they're not. In our self-chosen identities (unless we were given our own individual aliases, nonetheless we have a choice to use them) we ARE these people. We're not pretending. We're not doing this for fun. We're doing it because it is who we see ourselves as or at least a part of who we are, and we're doing what has to be done. And our uniforms and suits aren't worn for image. Self-expression, yes. But functionality is more important. Using the C-word to refer to what a Superhero wears is actually an insult.

And it's not up to me or anyone but the individual to decide what their uniform means. But there is something I notice that there's a well-believed false theory that doesn't work in practice. There's a belief that some individuals tell themselves, that wearing their uniforms will help draw attention to a cause. But in reality it doesn't. It draws much more attention to the individual. There's also a misconception that bragging about good deeds will inspire more people to do it. Nope. Just makes you look self-righteous. Let those that are helped brag about those who did good, but let not the individual brag of their own deeds.

In the Holy Bible, In Matthew 6:1 it says:

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven."

If God sees you bragging about that, to Him, He sees that as you rewarding yourself through bragging, therefore need no help from Him.

Plus, in the minds of others, if you need to dress up like a superhero in order to do some form of charity, then people are going to think "Well, that's cool. I would like to do some charity. But I don't want to go through the trouble of creating a superhero identity just to do it. So, I guess I won't be doing any charity then." I believe that it's better for everyone to know that they could at least do a little something. Even if it's just the smallest little deed. If everyone did a little good deed regularly, it would all add up to make the world a better place. Even more than a few CCM people doing it once a week or month.

Don't overglorify simple deeds as great acts of heroism. It's not a quick easy way of showing the world that superheroes exist. It's showing the world that superheroes CAN'T exist. It's not what you wear nor call yourself that shows the world superheroes exist. It's something magical that goes beyond what simple words can explain. It's easier for one to show you what a superhero is, than for me to explain what one is. But if I were to try to explain it. There are 2 aspects of it. One aspect has to do with saving lives, the other has to do with fighting evil.

"But Tothian, I thought being a superhero was about helping people."

Every job in the world "helps" people in some way. That doesn't make everyone a superhero. Because if everyone was a superhero, then nobody would be. Because then superpowers wouldn't be superpowers, they'd be like a form of evolution. And heroism wouldn't be heroism anymore, it would be common decency. Idealistic, yes. But as a world we're not there yet so we shouldn't pretend like we are.

"But Tothian, feeding a homeless person is saving someone's life for a day."

You got that right! And I give credit to anyone who does help someone in need. I don't want this to give the impression that I'm against people helping people in need. But why use the image of a Superhero to do something that Superheroes were never known for doing? And for a reason. Help people yes. There are plenty of people in the world who need help. But don't give the impression that common decency should be considered a superpower, nor a great act of heroism. I don't care how messed up you think society is. It's just not right.

The uniform or suit or what ever it is you wear tells people that you in some way are qualified to do what you do. That doesn't necessarily mean some kind of unrealistic superpower, (realistic superpowers are possible), but at least some kind of skill, ability, training, experience that helps you in some way. Like for example, someone with Lifeguard Training, or First Aid Training, Martial Arts, and/or knowledgeable in some skill area.

Contrary to the perception it's possible some readers of this will have at this point, I don't intend to tell you how to do things if you wish to do things a certain way. But I feel that my thoughts are something that is very necessary to give. Not a matter of what I say Do or Don't Do. But rather a matter of "How I see it To Be and how I see it To Not Be". Do it the way you feel is right.

But one thing that saddens me is people coming in, expecting to fight crime, then figure out a way to do it that seems easier, and appears to help more people, and makes them more friends in the Real Life Superhero Community, so some of them just end up sticking to charity instead. They let others change who they are and what their reasons for doing this is.

I believe that Superheroes can and do exist. The crime fighters and those who patrol the dangerous streets looking to fight evil and protect people, they are the true superheroes who are the heart and soul of it all. They are what started it all and will do what needs to be done. (In the Military, the Infantry are the ones who are respected the most. Without them, the Military wouldn't be what it is.) I've been at this thing my entire life. For years I'd felt alone at this. I felt like I'd be the only one who would be doing this and that I'd forever feel out of place in this world because of that. It's really sad when you grew up finding yourself relating to fictional characters more than real people. Then once I found others like myself, the world felt right for once. But over time I saw things change. The overall idea had been shifted in a different direction unlike what I'd expected, and not in a good way. My hope is to peacefully shift things back in the right direction. Because even though a lot of people would go in a certain direction, something never felt right to them and I don't know if even they knew what it was. But I was able to see it. I've been able to see the problem and the solution.

"But Tothian, if I help a homeless person, they consider me a superhero."

Oh are we still at this "But Tothian," crap? LOL! Alright fine. Think about how you could be embarassing these people by drawing attention to them. YES a lot of them get ignored by society a lot and love to talk to people and go on long rants and not feel ignored, but rather to feel like they too matter. Different people will perceive you differently. Different people will react differently, as well as feel differently. A lot of them will be too nice to criticize someone who is helping them. But please remember to put their needs above your's.

I understand we all have our reasons for doing things. With advantages comes disadvantages. I've got my reasons as well, as well as my own sets of Pro's and Con's. There's plenty of logic which can be debated. But admittedly - at the risk of sounding self-centered and egotistic - I speak from experience. I don't claim to know everything but this is my life. This is my passion. This is my reason for living. Just about everything I study, is because I feel in some way it will help me as Tothian, to do what I was born to do.

And I'm not trying to tell people what to do or not do. You have the right to make your own decisions. But so can I. And right now I'm making the choice to give my advice for all who wish to read it here. I know what I'm doing and have a reason for saying this. The Warrior Spirit needs to be kept alive, and with great passion and enthusiasm, in order for The Spirit of Camaraderie to exist within the Real Life Superhero Community.

Oh yes - and we're not a Movement. We're a Community. To find more of us, check out the Heroes Network Listing, and check out the Heroes Network Portal over on the Heroes Network Forum!

There is no such thing as a Hero quitting nor retiring

This isn't intended for me to speak for you as if I knew all of your own personal situations in your lives. There could be things that some of you are not saying for your own personal reasons, and I can understand that.

But, heroism isn't a job. (Some will argue that the military, firefighters, doctors, etc. are - and yes that is true - but even then it's not the job itself it's the individuals doing it) It's something we do because we're needed to do it. The world needs heroes. The goals and mission can change in accordance with what we can do and feel drawn to do, but the world will always need heroes in one way or another.

Since I was born and have always known that I was drawn to do this, I had long hoped for there to be others. Then after several long years of feeling out of place in this world, it all slowly started to form. And there were so few of us. Then over the years it started to grow. So many good friends have come and gone over the years, and I miss my good old friends in the superhero community who aren't doing this anymore or just not around the internet anymore. And if any of my old friends are reading this, I want you all to know that I haven't forgotten about you guys and I would be very glad to hear from you again.

Stay motivated, keep each other motivated, remember why you chose to do this and look at how the world will still need you. There is a lot for us to do. Keep it interesting and keep it real (or unreal, as long as it's interesting, haha) and don't lose sight of a better world that you can create, not as much with the results as much the actions.

I don't wanna hear that anyone is "retired". This is what I think of when people are retired:

Old people sitting around in a rocking chair waiting to die.

Even if you can't do what you want to do nor in the exact ways you want to do it, whether at all or anymore, the question you ask yourself shouldn't be "Can I still do this?" but rather "How can I still do this in some way?"

Even if you're hurt or sick or old or not that strong, you can still learn skills that could still help others in some way.

And even if you're too busy doing other non superhero related things, never deny nor forget the importance of friendship with other superheroes, be it the ones you've known before, or the newer ones who will live a better life and be a better superhero because of the guidance, wisdom, and friendship that you have to offer.

And also take this in to consideration too. Every bit of advice you give to another superhero that they use to help someone else, you are indirectly helping those people through that superhero.

If things didn't go your way and you want to quit because of that, that's like starving yourself because you're hungry. If things don't go your way, that's all the more reason to keep doing everything you can to fix it or make up for it the best you can.

The way of the superhero isn't a job, but rather a way of life. It's who you are and what you're meant to do. It's within you forever whether you like it or not and you can't ignore it, especially while you're still alive and that this is a world that needs more heroes, not less of them.

The actions and standards of one superhero do not represent all

I don't like having to tell people the same things over and over again. The actions of one superhero do not represent all of them. We're a Community, NOT a Movement. But that's a good thing. Superheroes are amongst the more diverse categories of people that there is, you can't define all them as a whole with words, but you can witness and experience the actions and good vibes of it all. See my earlier blog post about that Heroic Box Theory.

But I've said this before and I'll say it again. Nobody else represents me and I represent nobody else. I don't care if you tell me "Oh, but the public won't see it that way." Then what good is it ever saying anything at all if one of my most important messages is going to be ignored? I'm not going to sit back at a comment like that and be like, "Alright." I'm just going to try that much harder to try to inform people of the truth, rather than settle for stupid misconceptions.

It's like there are countless gaps that each hero seems to find their own way to fill it the way they know that they were meant to. And sometimes, certain hero's find themselves with missions that contradict each other. It's unfortunate but it does have a deeper purpose behind it, representing a sense of lacking forced conformity.

I hear a lot of talk about how superheroes should hold themselves to higher standards when in their suit (and costumes are for Halloween, NOT for Patrolling). And that could mean countless things, even things that contradict each other. Yes, it's always great when people want to better themselves. BUT, it shouldn't be for the sake of looking good to others, it should be a reminder to themselves, if anything. Well, as for that, taking off the suit doesn't take away the purpose. And what are the higher standards exactly? Fighting against a friend who did something wrong? Or taking their side when everyone turns against them? Are you gonna choose to be a hero for more people? Or are you going to be the hero to one person who needs it more? Or does it depend on what was done exactly? And if so, what kinds of things? My advice would be, know your self and what you believe and don't base your opinions off of what other people will think of you. Don't ever change your beliefs to please the people you respect, because if they are worth respecting, they won't think less of you for your beliefs.

And what I say about how none of us represent each other - unless you give someone the right to represent you, not because of personal bias towards them, but rather because you honestly feel they represent your beliefs and do the same things that you do in the same way you do them. Anyway, that doesn't mean that there can't be camaraderie. The fact that we're all different from each other shouldn't be the thing to divide us, but rather unite us. That's what makes things really interesting. And it's one thing to save the world, but if you can make it fun and interesting for everyone, then you can better motivate it to want to save itself.

And no, while none of us are perfect, I don't think evil should have any place in any of this camaraderie talk I say. That includes the villains and the fake heroes who portray themselves as good on the media but in reality aren't as nice as they portray themselves as. That's another reason I don't want anyone else representing me and I don't represent anyone else, because so many fakes in the media who are too focused on portraying themselves as "good" (even though only like half of them are genuinely good and half of them are not) rather than portraying themselves as they honestly are.

We don't have to put on a false image of perfection - because we're not perfect, but when only the good sides are seen, it shows people that they're hiding something. If we only show the good sides, what do we do, inspire good people who don't need much change, to be good people? We make a better change if we inspire not so good people to be better, and in order to be that, in some ways you'll need to be able to relate to them. People are more inspired by people that they feel like they can relate to in some way. That doesn't mean say everything about yourself, because some mystery is good. But if you're gonna show the world your good traits, are you also prepared to show them some bad traits as well?

By showing both good and bad traits, you will learn who your real friends are. If people only see your good traits, they will like what they interpret of you. And if it's only good, sure they'll like you. But then see how some of them will stop being your friend and stop respecting you once they see some bad traits. Those people aren't real friends, because your real friends will want to be your friends whether they see your good traits or bad traits.

Stay true to yourselves and don't be afraid to be interesting.

Heroes Network

I relaunched the new Heroes Network on December 1st, 2011. If you read my recent blog about The Spirit of Camaraderie you will get an idea of what I had been hoping to accomplish on the new Heroes Network. So far, it has lived up to my expectations. The Spirit of Camaraderie is coming back, just like it needed to. The RLSH Community now has a peaceful, friendly place again where they can go, share their thoughts and ideas, and not have to worry about being harassed by people just for not fitting in with a certain clique or in-crowd. If you're there, you're one of us, and we want you to feel not just accepted, but also appreciated.

I try to not keep this too strict of a place, I just want it to be a fun, friendly, informative place with happy friendly positive vibes, where we all teach and learn from each other. I don't even intend on insulting my enemies - I would rather just not talk about them and keep them irrelevant. The fact that some of my enemies have chose to condemn me, made me further realize the importance of why such a positive place such as this new Heroes Network was needed.

In addition to all the silliness and fun times that is very much needed to balance out with any type of stress that may exist in life, I also intend on building a place with some useful resources on this new Heroes Network for the Real Life Superhero Community.

In addition to the Heroes Network Forum where we have the regular sections that many forums have - and also a chatroom, I also have an Academics Category to teach about things like Computer Security, Criminology, Cryptology, First Aid, Foreign Languages, Forensics, Foreign Languages, Leadership, Martial Arts, Paranormal, Physical Fitness. And probably some more, soon.

The Heroes Network isn't meant to be just a place where people go and post once and don't check it for a while, but rather designed to be a fun place to hang out when online. Some people are busy with their personal lives and busy patrolling too, and the importance of that can't be denied, neither. But, this is made for the cool friendly people who wish to make the world a safer place.

The Heroes Network also has a website with some useful links, such as SpotCrime, CodeAmber, Tracing Missing People, Suicide Prevention, and GoodSearch. A Heroes Network member listing with contact info for members who choose to be added to it will be edited more soon.

Here are some links to the new Heroes Network-

Heroes Network Website:
http://heroesnetwork.weebly.com/

Heroes Network Forum:
http://heroesnetwork.forumotion.net/

Heroes Network Portal:
http://heroesnetwork.forumotion.net/portal

Heroes Network Listing:
http://heroesnetwork.forumotion.net/h3-hn-listing

Heroes Network Twitter:
www.Twitter.com/HeroesNetwork

Heroes Network Facebook Group:
www.Facebook.com/HeroesNetwork

Heroes Network YouTube
www.YouTube.com/TheHeroesNetwork 

For anyone who wishes to join the Heroes Network, I prefer to talk with each member individually, so that they know a little about me and what I wish to accomplish with this new Heroes network, and also what kinds of things I would rather avoid with this new Heroes Network, and also so that I have an idea of who is joining this place that has already been nicknamed the RLSH Paradise or the Heavens Network. If you would like to join us, please contact me at Tothian (at) msn (dot) com

The Spirit of Camaraderie

There used to be something in most of the RLSH Community a few years ago, from around 2007 to 2009, around the time I was the President of the Heroes Network. There was a real spirit of camaraderie there. I could try to explain it but you really had to be around there back then in order to really understand it. For the past year or so, I've felt it was very important for me to remind the RLSH Community about it, but it was hard to find the right words. I'll try anyway, though.

Back in the good old days, RLSH's got along with each other... sorta... There were some occasional arguments, but unlike now where things can get really messy, back then they were constructive arguments that got heated, and if they did lead to bitter disputes, they often got settled, as a community, like a family. And from then on for a while the community seemed happy again, and people understood each other and got along better than before. And more often, if there were any disagreements, RLSH's agreed to disagree. When ever there were arguments, people often agreed to forgive each other and make peace with each other, because they mostly understood how important it was for RLSH's to all be on good terms with each other.

This was before a lot of the media attention in this community. While there's a huge misconception nowadays that the success of an RLSH has to do with how famous and popular they are, and that all the media attention was good for the community in moving it forward, the truth is that these things have caused a lot of problems and actually moved it backwards.

Being an RLSH is not about public image, it's not about popularity. It's about befriending those who need friends, saving those who need saving, protecting those who need protecting, fighting evil.

That's not to say that all media attention is bad entirely. It can serve as a very effective networking tool, with people who need your help or wish to work with you. But, make sure it's for the right reasons. And understand that the more well known you are, the more problems it can cause you.

There were times when RLSH's would defend outcasts in the community. Nowadays they outcast the unusual people as weird, because they're worried that certain people are bad for the public image of the RLSH Community (It's not a Movement). That's also a harmful way of thinking. People who say things like that and think like that are the ones who (in my eyes) make themselves look bad.

You can't define the standards of a Real Life Superhero, especially since many of those who I've seen try to define it as a whole have got it (in my strong opinion) wrong. You can define the standards of certain cliques of people, and while it can serve it's purpose in some ways if it's within certain groups, it can't be spoken for as a whole. I've seen many good people feel outcasted by the in-crowds. When in-crowds try outcasting people, they're not just outcasting those people from their inner circles, they're outcasting their own selves from enacting heroic ideals. Especially in the eyes of those they're outcasting.

By trying to unite this community, people will only divide it further. In my opinion, the way it works best, is when people let everyone be themselves. Not conformity, but rather self-expression. Acceptance, not outcasting. Let people be themselves, not who you want them to be.

When the Spirit of Camaraderie existed in the RLSH Community, there was a good balance of seriousness and joking around. And that was accepted. Too much of one and not enough of the other is not good.

It used to feel like a family or like a loose network of individuals who had this evil-destroying Warrior Spirit about them. It felt like a real superhero community. Nowadays, it feels like the U.S. House of Representatives.

I say this with the hopes of my friends in the RLSH Community reading this and if they were around back then, I hope they remember this and allow the spirit of camaraderie to return back again. For those who weren't around back then, please bring it back.

Oxymoronic Misconceptions, Don't Worry People I'm Here to Correct Them

I know these things because I've been around before what is was is, and my personal connection with God has opened me up to a source of wisdom and enlightenment I can't even begin to explain (LOL, well, I "can", but you get the point), but I see a lot of stupid things being said, but don't worry, because as a Messenger of God, I'm here to correct a lot of the stupidity out there in the world.


There are a lot of people out there who do things semi-similar to how I do things. Referred to as Real Life Superheroes, they're each unique in their own way. Me personally I don't really like to be called that. I'm Tothian, I'm too unique to be classified. So, I kind of get annoyed when I see people speaking for a community of people that aren't really supposed to be spoken for. There will always be something people disagree with. While there's organizations or teams within the community - as a whole, it's not an organization, and it's not a movement - and because of the vast level of diversity you'll see, nobody can represent anyone but themselves - be it for better or for worse.


Just as for better or for worse, I represent nobody but myself. And also for better or for worse, nobody else represents me. No more of that false "guilt by association" line of thinking, not even the "praise by association". Unless you want to accept the fact that "everyone" is all associated in some way, we're all part of the same story of this world.


A term, or title that is varied based on individual perception, and types and levels of involvement that vary due to the individual's motives that are formed due to personal morals, ethics, goals, life experiences, and other reasons and things that have to due with an individual - nobody can speak for "all of them". Nor should anyone who ever reads, sees, hears of, or witnesses such a thing ever be ignorant enough to group together into a classification. That's called an assumption, and you know what people make when they "assume".


Also, the other thing I wanted to bring up was the term being "Inactive" or "Retired" - there's no such fucking thing. You were born, you're alive. We all die some day but even the spirit lives on beyond that. In my mind, body, and spirit, I'm fully aware of my purpose in life, and I have been from as far back in life as I can remember. That's to protect people and fight evil. There's no such thing as "quitting". I don't even think it's even possible to just stop. Nor would I ever want to even if it was possible. This is who I am and that can't be changed. The specific mission, or specific methods can at times change, but the overall mission and who you are as a whole, never changes. If you are truly serious about this, you will find that it's not just something you decide to do one day just because it sounds like it'll be kinda fun, nor that it's the cool new thing to do. No. It's a calling. It's something you know you have to do, and find yourself reacting in situations before your mind even realizes what's going on. That's how you know it's who you are in spirit. Awake or asleep, alive or dead.


And I want ya'll to know right now that I'm not always posting things on the internet all the time, I'm not usually gonna talk about my patrols nor the things I do out there on the streets and in the world, as I do prefer some level of privacy in my life, even though at times I like to communicate with others and either goof around or share my thoughts or network or whatever. Don't EVER assume I've just stopped being me or stopped doing what I do. Like I said, it's not even a case of could it be possible or impossible - it just doesn't even exist in my dictionary. For light will always be light, even when you cannot see it, and the tree that falls in the forest that nobody hears really DOES make a sound.

If you're observant enough and a deep enough thinker, you will have even noticed that I've kinda contradicted myself in a few places in this blog. I say how you can't speak for everyone, but here I'm telling you how here's how it is for you. Well, as I've said before, the way my mind works it's hard to piece together the thoughts in human words, so I do the best I can.


Anyway, if you're wondering about that, allow me to explain. Each person is different, and is meant to be different, and I believe that that is meant to be fully known and understood. But, I still have my own bold opinions on what is and what isn't as well as what is effective and not effective. The ways of thinking that are best able to determine a person's actions, and help them understand their calling in life. That's the best way I can explain it and that's all I have for now. I hope this clears up some things for ya'll.