It might seem like I'm always Negative... this is positive :)
"In the name of the best within you, do not sacrifice this world to those who are its worst . . . Do not lose your knowledge that man's proper estate is an upright posture, an intransigent mind and a step that travels unlimited roads. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won, it exists, it is real, it is possible, it's yours."
It's a very ... edited summation of John Galt's rant in Atlas Shrugged.. but it captures the essence wonderfully!
I just posted this on my wall, so that I can see it when I have to yet again deal with people that ignore reality at every opertunity.
Yes, you can live life heroicly. In fact, it is the highest ideal. Live life as you can and should, better yourself, and do so in the knowledge that that is your only responsibliity (if only because helping others always fails in the long run).
You can be a good, no a great person. You can be more than a zero! You do not have inheritied sin, accidents of birth do no define you (color, race, sex, sexual preference), what you do in this life defines you. Your parents and their actions don't reflect on you, only you reflect on you. Something someone or group of someones did 2000+ years ago does no reflect on you, you reflect on you. You are not responsible for the actions of others, you are only responsible for your actions. (intended or otherwise)
Rise up! Live life, without remorse. Live it intentionally and rationally. Use reason, question everything, be what you want to be and never let anyone judge you by anything but your own personal actions. Your life is you're own, Live it! (TG)