Why are we SUPERHEROS with SUPERPOWERS?

“There’s only one true superpower amongst human beings, and that is being funny. People treat you differently if you can make them laugh.”

— Jeff Garlin.

I remember this fascination as a kid to have superpowers. There was this cartoon called “The Avatar” and I wished to be “AANG”. Aang was a chosen character who could bend elements, have an amazing adventure with his friends and die with the consciousness of reincarnation. Basically, Aang was spiritual, adventurous and kind. The quality traits I try to be self-aware of. But when I tried to bend fire, I couldn’t. When I tried to go out with my friend for an adventure, I couldn’t (MOM). So where was this superpower or a super life I dreamed of living?

NO-WHERE.

But, What if I told my younger self, “You have a superpower and not just one but 22 superpowers, at least that’s the number I am aware of as of this writing.” What if I told myself and you, “We all have that within us right here”? What if I told you these superpowers are so powerful that it would make even “Aang” jealous of us. These superpowers are unlimited and we can use it anywhere, anytime, & at any rate. What if I told my younger self, “You have a better choice than being Aang, You can choose to be the truest YOU. The fire bending did not make Aang the main character but these 22 superpowers did.” Would you like to know your superpowers?

NOW-HERE.

Ok, I have to tell you, Your superpowers are not Bling-bling shiny magic spells of Harry potter. Instead, they are much more Powerful. But, First I need to establish a stage. The stories of heroism and adventure portrayed in cartoon shows and movies are true in “Reel” life. I am talking about heroism and adventure in “Real” life. Let’s come to a common ground first.

When I interpret stories I try to understand, why did a character become a hero? What made him the hero? Although the first impression is the superpowers he can fly or turn invisible, or teleport or superstrength or magic spells or turns into a beast? But that’s the superficial impression. I want to take us to a layer underneath. Because even villains have superpowers that don’t mean they are superheroes. Now I don’t want to get into the topic of morality. Good vs Evil. Justice vs injustice. Because again we will be looking at a superficial layer. If you try to understand the perspective of a villain, you will have sympathy towards him. You will understand why is his perspective so different. Ultimately, Heroes and villains clash to prove their perspectives. That’s it.

But what made superheroes, superheroes?

It was their power of empathy. In truest essence, a hero can be defined with a simple statement. When there is chaos, a villans first thinks about his/her suffering but a hero think about other’s suffering. That’s it.

I had this argument with my friend over this question. Whom should I help first, you or me? I took a stand on, “If I am strong, then I can properly take care of you.”.My friend stood on, “Helping others. Being benevolent”. I couldn’t stand the inefficiency of a weak person trying to help because it does not. If he couldn’t take care of himself why does he think he can take care of others?

I think we were both disillusioned.

I think there is a middle path. That is, I need to have the intention of helping others, but not with the price of inefficiency. We need to make ourselves strong with the intention to help others. This process itself fuels up that fire within us. This is what makes a true hero.

I almost left without reminding your superpowers. Ready to know about your spectacular superpowers?

Here you go. learning, expressing, trying, adapting, changing, thinking, questioning, believing, acting, observing, controlling, switching, introspecting, practicing, laughing, crying, embracing, reading, experimenting, humility, sympathy, empathy. That’s it.

I know it’s doesn’t “seem” to be what you were expecting but think about it. Although 22 is not an accurate number. You are welcome to add or subtract your superpower list. But my intention is to make you think. A spoon-fed food spoils us, but hard-earned food makes us understand it’s value, and that what matters. We should never depend on anyone, because we don’t need to we are all complete human being with so amazing superpowers. We all have the power to change our lives. Do you understand the gravity of this statement?

Thank you so much for being with me until the end. I wish my perception can give you a better one. That is everything I expect from you. Take care of yourself, because we tend to forget. This is my way of taking care of myself. Love you lots Chao.