When I was young, it was important and natural to have heroes, people to look up to and admire. And I had plenty. I admired cowboys, baseball players and presidents. But by the time I got to college I looked at the world through a more cynical lens. I was taught that everyone had flaws and that hero-worship was naive. The white-hat warrior for truth and justice was replaced by the antihero, the flawed but interesting character motivated by crass but very human motives.

This cynicism still darkens our worldview and today many young people don't have heroes. Instead they admire -- even worship -- celebrities, superstars and manipulative winners of televised elimination contests. Consequently, today's American idols often fall short of American ideals, and no one seems to care.

Cynics think their negative worldview is just an accurate reflection of the way things are; idealists are naïve and foolish. Yet cynicism is more of a delusion than optimism. Sure, there are and always will enough examples of human weakness to justify despair, but there is and always has been more strength than weakness. And when light confronts darkness, light always wins.

Our world is full of everyday heroes. And I don't just mean folks who risk their lives in great acts of valor. Every man and woman who overcomes temptations and fear to live a noble and worthy life is a hero. Everyone who chooses to light a candle rather than the curse the darkness is a hero.

Well, there are lots of parents, teachers and coaches as well as cops, soldiers and firefighters who are lighting candles. Turn off the TV news for awhile and take a moment to identify and appreciate them. Then dedicate yourself to becoming one of them.

This is Michael Josephson, reminding you that character counts.