Growing up I loved comic books. Beyond the great art and captivating storylines there was a great appeal in the worlds created by Stan Lee and his cohort. In comic books regular people became heroes. Nerds bitten by spiders, orphaned superhumans, and victims of great wrongs all choose to rise above their plight to become heroes.
With few exceptions every superhero/heroine lived two lives: one as a superhero and another as a “regular person.” Often time’s conflicts arise when the two lives clashed, drawing out greater drama. While I have not actively followed any particular storyline for some 10 years or more I still occasionally stroll through the aisles at bookstores to peruse the shelves.
It dawned on me some time ago that many of us lead dual lives. While there is the person who we are each and every day there is another version of ourselves that lives deep down at the core of who we are. This is the version of ourselves that is perhaps the best, most confident, most put together incarnation of each of us. Often times, however, this part of us is held down by fear, doubt, and pressures from the outside world.
Each of us has a self and a super-self. The super-self never fumbles words, never misses a chance to stand for justice, and lives with no regret. This is true for all of us—including myself. There are times when Nick plays it safe instead of making the stand that I’m sure Super-Nick would have taken.
Over the years the distance between Nick and Super-Nick has closed as my confidence has grown and my skin has thickened – but there is still work to be done. I used to become frustrated by this journey, but it is in the journey that we learn the lessons and face the tests that can make us true heroes and heroines.
With each challenge we have the opportunity to become a little bit more like the person we want to be, the person we are truly meant to be. The goal, it seems, would be to unify these versions of ourselves or perhaps—over time—to allow the inner hero to emerge as the only version of who we are.
Let us stand for what is right, despite the possibility of ridicule.
Let us have the courage to speak truth, especially when it is not popular.
Let us be governed by a sense of honesty with ourselves and a commitment to do what you say you will do (DWYSYWD).
Let us become who we pretend to be in the deep dark places of our hearts and minds where fear, peer pressure, and the expectations of others hold no sway.
Let us become the people whom we are truly meant to be.
With few exceptions every superhero/heroine lived two lives: one as a superhero and another as a “regular person.” Often time’s conflicts arise when the two lives clashed, drawing out greater drama. While I have not actively followed any particular storyline for some 10 years or more I still occasionally stroll through the aisles at bookstores to peruse the shelves.
It dawned on me some time ago that many of us lead dual lives. While there is the person who we are each and every day there is another version of ourselves that lives deep down at the core of who we are. This is the version of ourselves that is perhaps the best, most confident, most put together incarnation of each of us. Often times, however, this part of us is held down by fear, doubt, and pressures from the outside world.
Each of us has a self and a super-self. The super-self never fumbles words, never misses a chance to stand for justice, and lives with no regret. This is true for all of us—including myself. There are times when Nick plays it safe instead of making the stand that I’m sure Super-Nick would have taken.
Over the years the distance between Nick and Super-Nick has closed as my confidence has grown and my skin has thickened – but there is still work to be done. I used to become frustrated by this journey, but it is in the journey that we learn the lessons and face the tests that can make us true heroes and heroines.
With each challenge we have the opportunity to become a little bit more like the person we want to be, the person we are truly meant to be. The goal, it seems, would be to unify these versions of ourselves or perhaps—over time—to allow the inner hero to emerge as the only version of who we are.
Let us stand for what is right, despite the possibility of ridicule.
Let us have the courage to speak truth, especially when it is not popular.
Let us be governed by a sense of honesty with ourselves and a commitment to do what you say you will do (DWYSYWD).
Let us become who we pretend to be in the deep dark places of our hearts and minds where fear, peer pressure, and the expectations of others hold no sway.
Let us become the people whom we are truly meant to be.
