Redefining Super Hero
When I was a kid, comic books were my thing. I struggled with reading and comics became the outlet I needed. The heroes, although fictional, would evoke a motivation that led to getting hyped up about something that was going on in my life. All kids have their superheroes. It's part of growing up. As a kid, growing up, Thor was my guy. I mean, the god of Thunder, what more could you ask for? But what happens to those superheroes once you've grown beyond those fictional worlds? Where do you go from there?
You eventually learn that these guys and gals got "super" by way of... cheating? For Captain America it was super soldier serum, Spiderman was a radioactive spider bite, Batman and Ironman their vast wealth and technology, and Superman is just an alien. Now we can debate forever about this, but in the end quite often these characters were not "super" from the start. Often it took an outside source or driving force to turn them "super". So with that said what's not to say that you couldn't be "Super"? Right?
Who are the real life "Superheroes? Who are the ones that people look up to? How do you become a modern day Superhero? The more common answer is becoming a soldier, police officer, firefighter, etc. The majority of these individuals are absolute selfless heroes, but not all. What about the single moms and dads? What about the individual who resists the status quo to better themselves? What about the elementary school teachers? The list goes on and on.
One thing I've learned over the years is you can't knowingly become a Superhero. You can't go out and claim "I am a Superhero!" Well you can... it just might not go over well. Becoming a hero, in this world, is earned through action, effort and motivation. It is done by becoming the best person you possibly can. The hard part is there are many who feel their best just isn't good enough though.
Webster dictionary defines Superhero as "a fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers; also: an exceptionally skillful or successful person". I feel we need to redefine this term. It seems according to the dictionary that in order to have "extraordinary" powers you need to be "fictional". I just don't believe that is so.
There are so many individuals in this world, and I'm sure you know a few yourself, that have "extraordinary" abilities in one area or another. There are those one-of-a-kind people who can move mountains while only being themselves and doing what they love. They've got it figured out, but that's not to say that those individuals can't be you, as well. The part that is often missed is you don't always see the influence you have on others. You never truly know who's watching and who isn't. To those who are watching, you could be the greatest person in their life. Even when you don't even know who they are.
It is so common for parents to get down on themselves for how they brought up their kids, yet when the kids are asked who's their hero? Quite often they'll say their parents.
You have extremely overweight individuals that are trying hard to turn the corner and get healthy. Throughout their whole process they're embarrassed, frustrated, exhausted, etc. and just want to give up. Only later learning that another person saw them doing their thing and it inspired them to better themselves as well.
Be the Superhero for someone else. Give all you got on something. When bettering yourself, others, the world, etc. always keep in mind that someone is watching, whether you want to believe it or not. Don't let self doubt take over. Don't let fear invade your mindset. When you're going to do something... Do it!
One day you'll be approached by someone who will tell you that you inspired them, that they look up to what you've done or said. That you were their Superhero. At which point, get out your cape and strike a pose.