The Problem With Superpowers

Who knew, right? The problem with superpowers is that we think bigger is better, if a little is enough a lot is better and onward we march. We look at someone who can fill a stadium, run a company, write a best selling book, or change the world and think, "Now, that is a superpower."

Meanwhile, we completely overlook the woman who quietly changes the lives of everyone around her by listening well. Or how about the women we know and love who are encouragers, or who always show up or the fabulous ladies who make others feel seen. What I think we do is compare our inside to someone else's outside. And then guess what happens? Suddenly our own superpower no longer seems very super.

Another problem? We think we only get one. I mean after all it is "SUPER". Who made that rule? We are not comic book characters. We are human beings. You might be curious, kind, honest, consistent, encouraging, resilient, grateful to name a few potential superpowers. In fact you might have an entire toolbox of gifts that work together that make you SUPER.

So, trying to narrow yourself down to one power can feel like trying to describe a sunset using one color.

And then there is my favorite problem. We think superpowers should be effortless. They are not. Even natural gifts require practice. A person may be naturally compassionate. That does not mean they do not get tired. A natural speaker still has to prepare. A gifted listener still has to choose patience. A consistent person still has days when they do not feel like showing up.

The superpower is not perfection. Nope! The superpower is continuing to use the gift.

And then there is the sneakiest problem of them all. The belief that if your superpower doesn't make money, build fame, or attract attention, it somehow does not count.

NONSENSE

Some of the most powerful people I have met will never stand on a stage. You know them. They simply leave every person they meet feeling better than before. Just imagine the ripple effect of that.

And finally, perhaps the biggest problem. Sometimes we become so busy trying to identify our superpower that we forget to use it. We take personality tests, analyze, reflect, debate, wonder, question. In the meantime, life is standing right in front of us waiting. Think about this. You do not discover a superpower sitting on the sidelines. Nope. You discover it in motion. I am a ferocious believer in "Clarity comes from action". So you will discover your superpower in motion, in action, and in living.

So here is the thing. Maybe the problem with superpowers is that we spend too much time trying to define them and not enough time just using them, as they are a natural flow.

Maybe your superpower isn't flashy, or furious, or famous. Heck, maybe it is not even fully developed yet. But if it helps someone, if it brings light, if it creates possibility, if it leaves the world a bit better than you found it, well I would call that a superpower.

No Cape Required.

💚 Suz, The Accidental Blogger