If you asked me who my hero was, I would say, hands down, with absolutely no doubt in my mind, that it was Lara Croft, Tomb Raider extraordinaire. Why? She's independent, smart, sexy, tough, and did I mention intelligent as hell?
I will reference the movies (starring Angelina Jolie) in some of my points. The movies are pretty good and I'm sure I've seen the first one at least ten times. Anyway. Back to Lara.
Lara Croft doesn't need anyone. She uses her own skills and brain power to get what she wants. She'll use sex (appeal, never actually sex) and her insane athletic ability to get out of sticky situations. She'll make a weapon out of just about anything, and can kick ass without one.
She can speak other languages and communicate with whoever she needs to. She does research into the work she does and when she's got a hunch, she will look into it. She won't ask questions, she won't hesitate. She knows what she wants, and she will get it. If someone doesn't like it, she flips her braided hair, kicks in the throttle on her motorcycle, and basically says "Fuck you" as she zooms away to get shit done.
When plans go sour, she's got it on lock. She already has another plan. She works fast and doesn't let anyone hold her back.
Does Lara have a social life in either the films or video games? Not really. Does she care? Nope. She's happy. She knows people, she's got the hookup, she's got her butler and tech guy, and that's all she needs.
And concerning her sex life, she gets what she wants (usually a casual hookup, take for instance in the movies, the most she does is lock lips twice), then lets it go. No strings attached, because she's got better things to do than get involved with someone else.
I want to have that kind of confidence. The kind that says, yeah, I'm doing this, and you can't stop me. I'm happy where I am in life. I know I can get what I want if I worry about me first and concentrate on my goals.
This is why Lara Croft is the best role model. Now, haters may say, she doesn't trust people, she's incapable of truly loving someone. But there's no proof of that. The only thing that's important is that she doesn't need anyone but herself and that she is content with that. How many people can say they're truly happy being alone, and not actively seeking or secretly longing for that true love? Lara has tombs to raid, books to read, things to shoot, places to go, favors to give. If she wants love, she could probably find it. She's as capable as anyone else, but lacks the modern-day desperation and necessity of companionship.
I admire that.
So, my friends, whenever you feel insecure, or scared, or unhappy, or desperate, think, "What would Lara do?"
She'd say, "Fuck those problems. You don't need anyone. You're awesome the way you are. Now go kick some ass and read a book on that thing you've always wanted to learn about."
My idol.
