A reoccurring question in our house is, "...if you could have super powers, what would they be?" Once a family member selects their desired talent(s), my favorite question to ask is, "Why?" The responses always vary and the debates can range from deep and thoughtful to down right silly, i.e. an unnamed child recently choose, "I-don't-want-to-have-to-go-to-the-bathroom power...". What?
I typed the word superhero this week in a text. A family member of mine recently had a baby on Dec 1st! Yay! Somehow amidst the chaos of becoming a first time mommy and embracing no sleep and caring for another human, she sent out a beautiful little Christmas card. She's a dang superhero and I had to let her know that. What struck me about the word, s-u-p-e-r-h-e-r-o, is that the word he and her are in it [thank you Scrabble brain]. And what I immediately felt was this sense of inclusion regarding the opportunity to be super. The fact that you can be super and that I can be super and that the lady over there can be super along with the gentleman standing behind her can be super. Everyone can be super, yet everyone will not choose to be. But what remains true, is the standing universal invitation.
When my family is sitting around the table talking super powers, I pay attention to what the rest of them pick. Just this week, Miss Elizabeth chose teleportation. I of course asked, "If I'm holding your hand, will I teleport with you?" The answer was, "YES", [fist pump] which means I immediately get to add that to super powers by proximity. I tell you this as a reminder to pay attention to those around you. Take notice of what skills and favored attributes they display, and leverage them to your benefit. We cannot be all things, but we certainly can enhance our efforts by learning from others.
You may never fly without the assistance of a 747, or a jetpack, but you do have the ability to send someone to the moon with your words. Or with your smile. You possess the power to lift another's spirits. You hold the key to unlocking kindness, generosity, grace and joy, and so do I. These simple actions, when attached to a willing spirit, unlock our potential to be superheroes! So if you're ready, and you see the need, bust out your cape and be your super-self.
Cheers & Merry Christmas!
