The other day I read how someone believed everyone in this world has a superpower. In a sense, I believe that is true. I would have never assumed the art of writing as a superpower, but if it moves people to change is some way, no matter how small a change, then yes, I would say writing is a superpower. Sounds crazy for a Freedom Friday post, doesn’t it?
The very definition of superpower is the accentuation of strength beyond normal boundaries. That strength can be physical, but it also can be a mental or spiritual power. For instance, up until recently, I believed the Marvel and DC Comics superheroes were characters whom I would classify possessing superpowers. And why not?
Superman is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive and is able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Captain America possesses super speed and strength beyond that of mere mortals. Thor has the power of thunder rattling within his bones. And Hulk is a formidable opponent against just about anything.
Other superheroes, however, are natural superheroes based on their integrity to stand for truth and justice. Batman and Iron Man fall into this category, owning superpowers beyond the equipment they utilize to help fight crime. Should they not have their equipment, they would equally be able to defeat their enemies with their superpowers of persuasion, honesty and firm resolve. Their inherent powers are from within, unseen on a physical level, but evident in situations when called upon.
Similarly, if someone were to tell me I do not possess superpowers like comic book superheroes, I would agree. I am not faster than a speeding bullet. I mean, it would surprise me if I can catch the train on time. I am not more powerful than a locomotive. After all, I’m a scrawny guy with limited capacity to lift anything beyond a milk jug. And I cannot leap a tall building in a single bound. If I can lift my feet to climb the stairs, then that is as far as I’ll go exerting any physical activity for the day.
Of course, I’m being facetious. It’s fun making stuff up as I go along.
No, I may not be a superhero according to the standard definition, but neither is anyone else I know—at least to my knowledge. What I do know is every person on this planet has something they are really good at and no other person in this world can replace them doing what they do. Does that make sense?
Look at it this way, a brilliant writer who submits a 250-word article to a prominent magazine once a month will get paid $250 bucks. That’s a buck a word. For every “a”, “and” and “the”—that’s a buck. To be able to do that on a consistent level is having a superpower beyond imagination.
My dad had a superpower. He could do all sorts of plumbing. He used to crawl into exhaust tubes to retrofit vast arrays of water pipes from source to destination. At times, the pipes would burst and drench him from head to toe, but he’d always survive. There are only so many people in the world that couldn’t do that. To me, that is a superpower.
If you are a mom, then you would know you’ve got all those superheroes beat. No one can touch you. And no one can say you’re second-best.
I guess what I’m saying is you don’t have to be Superman, Captain America, Batman or Iron Man to make a difference in life. Your superpower is what you’re good at, and you can share it with the world.
And that is an amazing thing.
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What is your superpower?
Looking to God 
I would say writing and empathy
Well said! 🙂
I loved this thought-provoking post, Jack. Writing well is a superpower; as they say, the pen is mightier than the sword. Or, in modern speak, the keyboard is mightier than the bomb. You have a vision (creativity), you stick to it (persistence-sweat-hard work), you execute that plan to the best of your abilities (hard work-efficiency-humility), and you hold fast and true to your ideals (integrity-honesty-character). Thus, you’re a great power in the pantheon of Super Writers! As to me, who knows? Can I say I’m an expert at the power of existing?! 🙂 Oh, yeah, that or the Garden Avenger.
Superpower lies in selfless acts of generosity. It instantly brings smiles.
Very interesting POV. I like it !
😊
I think this is my favorite post by you so far.
I think you’re all being too modest. My superpower is the ability to turn my ears into auxiliary eyes so that I have 270 degree vision. Great when you’re driving and crossing the road, but no defense when someone whacks you on the back of the head.
I read something related to this once. “All of us are equally gifted. Some just open the package sooner.”
Equally gifted, but we have different talents. Like my folks are good with numbers & budgets, but not me. I’m NOT ” Numbers – Man “. 🙂
Super power stories are inspiring and exhilarating’ they remind us that, yes, we all have something special to contribute. Great post Jack. 🙂
I pick imagination as a super power. It can be anything it wants.
Why does Superman leap over the buildings when he can fly?
I’ve thought of this before and joked around that my imagination is my superpower. It makes me feel unique and the ability I utilize to affect others. This is to tell a story and bring a smile to a person’s face. It’s also helped me in my retail and office job days because you can solve unexpected problems that aren’t in the manual. Explaining your solutions to others isn’t part of the power set though.
Humour & creativity are also ” superpowers “. If I didn’t have a respectable helping of both. I would’ve either developed the grandmother & grandfather of all ulcers or had a breakdown.
My relatives are good people, but they’re very literal, binary unimaginative thinkers. Very left – brained.
I have a lot of people like that in my family. Big thing is practicality, so creativity doesn’t fit very well. We don’t always have the clearest conversations.
It’s like I’m playing Chess or Backgammon & they’re playing checkers. Avoiding discussing politics & religion too much is an ability I’ve developed. They’re conservatives, I’m moderately liberal.
I think I just avoid those topics on principle. Rare that a conversation about them ends (or even starts) civilly.
The 3 traditional subjects to avoid – Sports, politics & religion. I think Charles Schultz said it in ” Peanuts “. 🙂 Discussions about them rarely end smoothly or well. Especially in the Bible Belt.
Didn’t know about sports. Most of the people in my family are either not interested or mild tempered in terms of fandom. There are one or two that I’d be willing to clock with a toilet seat when they start gloating about their team.
Bloody hell, down South, they think you’re a godless humanist Communist or a gay if you’re not a fanatic sports fan & / or hunter – fisherman. Most of the time….. I mentioned watching soccer instead of fooball ( jokingly ) during Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner one year, & the ambient temp dropped 40 degrees. 🙂
Lived in Florida for 4 years and I definitely got that ‘SPORTS!’ feel. I never understood that level of obsession. Or the hate that soccer gets.
‘Cause soccer is fer them thar flatland furriners ( foreigners ), y’all. 🙂
Ah, y’all. Always odd to my northern ears.
My cousin says y’all a lot, & it’s like fingernails on a blackboard. I think I dislike it because Paula Deen did an interview or something where she used it every other word. 🙂
Glad I’ve never seen much of her.
You haven’t missed much. I think she’s faking that Southern charm shtick & she’s actually from NY or NJ.
Says she was born and raised in Georgia. Though the Internet is known to lie.
All I know is she acts like a stereotype. Is being a stereotype a super power / ability ? 🙂
I’d say so.
It took the superpower of a sleuth to figure that Daniel was Zathra. And now, I’m complete. 😉
I have no idea where that name came from. I think WordPress generated it in a fit of cyber – Tourette’s Syndrome. No idea at all. 🙂
Reblogged this on thepageofdaniel and commented:
A somewhat thought – provoking post.
Thanks for the reblog, Daniel!
Hmmm. If insomnia is a super – power, then I’m up there with Captain America, Superman, Thor, the Torch….. 🙂
Now, if curiosity is a super – power, I could be a hero of some sort, I can become almost OBSESSIVELY interested in almost ANY subject, no matter how seemingly obscure or un – interesting it might be other people. If I were a detective that could be a strength. Or it could become almost like OCD ( W / I have, to a degree ).
All I can say is amen! I think surviving in this hateful world is also a superpower 🙂