We have the wrong definition of success, leaders, celebrities, and change makers. Mostly, we end up worshipping the people we see on television or in the news. People about whom the newspapers, internet, and videos are talking about are called leaders and change makers. They may or may not impact our lives significantly but we go with the flow. Sometimes we like a few people based on public opinion.

Most of the time, we forget to recognize and celebrate the people who have shaped our lives or had a positive or significant impact on us —people who made us, nurtured us, made us skilled, helped us choose the right path, and made us better human beings.

Such people are usually our parents, siblings, teachers, friends, colleagues, and sometimes totally unknown people. People who loved and cared for us, for who we were and not what our place in the world or based on our position in a company. We have spent our tough moments, struggles, celebrations, sorrows, heartbreaks, wins, and dreams with them and they have heard it all. They have been there and supported us all through our journey. They haven’t waited for us to get all A’s in the exams, for our first book to succeed, for our movies to make us famous, or for our Instagram reel to go viral. And when all of that or any of that happened, they were equally (or more) happy for us than just waiting to get their photos clicked with us.

So why don’t we consider everyday people as heroes? and I’m not talking about that Internet hero page or once-a-year some corporate heroes award. Why is it difficult for us to understand and value the contribution of everyday people in our lives? And if you say you do that, then answer me this: If you see your favorite movie star and your high school teacher both in a stadium, who would you first go to? And change that high school teacher to your parents, friends, or anyone who has impacted your life.

Sam Altman could be changing the world through AI, and his contribution is raved about in all technology circles. But why is his contribution any better than Youssef Sheikh a primary school teacher in rural Bangladesh who does his job religiously, actually cares for his pupil, inculcates good habits in his students, abides by his religious duties, lives his life with his meager income in the best way possible.

In another corner of the world, Colombia, Sofía Martínez, a single mother of two, who does a grueling 12-hour hospital shift, cooks for his children, cuts back on his needs to provide his kids a better education, and provides a better life. One of those kids could a few years down the line become an impactful leader of the free world and could improve the life of millions of his countrymen because of his education. Sofía is also changing the world every hour of the day. Through her hard work, determination, and honest upbringing she is bringing positive change in the world.

Both Youssef and Sofía face multiple hardships every day, there are several moral and ethical choices they have to make at many junctures. They could choose the easy way out. Youssef could have chosen to ignore his duties for the minuscule pay that he gets and Radha could have taught her kids to beg or steal for an easy living. What’s her motivation for keeping herself and her kids on the ‘right’ path?

We all have choices to make in our work and our lives every day, and we are all or could be change-makers. Everyone’s effort matters and should count and should be recognized as such.

I’m helping put a man on the moon, Mr. President.”

The Sam Altman’s of the world, the social media influencers, app founders, and movie celebrities aren’t going to be around when you have failed that exam that matters, when your heart breaks, or when you lose someone close to you. Hell some of them might turn out to be frauds or villains in a few years.

It’s time, we give importance to and celebrate people who matter in our lives, the real change makers who are no less than the internet or TV celebrities.