Written by Karen D. Swim
I had a funny exchange with RhodesTer (well every exchange with RhodesTer ends in laughter) that started on Twitter and carried on to his blog. As blogs often go, the comments expand the topic and provide additional insight (or laughter!). RhodesTer wrote a tongue in cheek post (Warning, there is a graphic image at the top) about driving blog traffic and the subject matter that gets the google juices flowing. A comment by Kimota (JC) on the post had me falling down laughing and is the inspiration for this post.
Kimota noted that Superhero posts are proven traffic drivers (the Google kind, not the road rage variety). Yet people have been angered when they read a post and it did not tell them how to be a superhero. Seriously, people actually want to know how to be a superhero.
There is clearly a fascination with superheroes. Heck, even I have shamelessly adopted a Wonder Woman persona. The continuing popularity of comic books and recent spate of Superhero films (and remakes, sequels and prequels) provide further validation of this fascination.
Superheroes engage in the classic battle of good versus evil. We want good to win and validate our hope that in the end evil will not triumph. The aliens, villains and otherworldly often represent our own real life battles. Superheroes are good and kind. They help those in need and fight for the underdog. These are admirable qualities worthy of emulation.
Of course no discussion of superheroes would be complete without talking about super powers. Who among us has not fantasized about what it would be like to have a superpower? Super human strength, sight, invisibility, flying, stopping time – all cool stuff that we could use to battle the forces of our day-to-day lives. Imagine the possibilities if you had a super power!
So, how do you become a superhero? Oh yes, it is possible. Superheroes each have a unique gift and calling. Often they are portrayed as the outcasts of society called to a higher purpose. In truth, we are all outcasts, different, unique with our own special purpose. The typical superhero initially struggles with their gift but soon embraces it realizing that the good they can do is greater than their need to fit in with others.
You are a superhero when you tap into the power you already possess. Embrace it with confidence and unleash it upon the world. Go forth and slay dragons, knock out evil and do some good. You can, you know. In today’s world, you can even have superhero gadgets to help you in your quest. You don’t have to save the world to be a superhero but you do have to live an authentic life of purpose. Do you know yours?
Now it’s your turn. Have you identified your superpower? if you could have your choice, what power would you choose?
Wonder Woman image used for idientification purposes in accordance with fair use policy. All DC Comics characters and the distinctive likeness(es) thereof are Trademarks & Copyright © 2007 DC Comics, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Brandon says
I know this is everybody favorite superhero, but i cant get over trying to be like him, and even people calling me the name of the superhero. He is the greatest superhero in my book. What do i do when i want to be like Superman but theres no way i can be like that in the reality.
Alex Fayle says
My superpower of choice would be to breathe underwater and not feel the cold. I know it likely wouldn’t help in the battle between good and evil, but I’m not much of a fighter anyway.
All my life I’ve been fascinated by water. Given a chance I’ll spend all day in it. I’d probably end up doing little things like cleaning up the bottom of lakes…
Karen Swim says
Everyone, I was enjoying your comments and interaction so much via email that I forgot that it was my blog! LOL! Duh! Feel free to continue talking amongst yourselves, I love that!
KatFrench, ooh I’d love to read that old post! You touched on something really interesting, we can choose to use our powers for greater good or for evil. So an important component is character. An interesting point to ponder indeed! 🙂
Evelyn, in reality that does not sound fun! Knowing how my own scattered mind works I would hate to be privy to others’ thoughts eek!
Melissa, LOL! I always knew you were a superhero! Ha! It’s funny because I have been watching you fly around the blogosphere this weekend and many of your comments were about freedom and having wings. Flying is one of my favorite powers too. 🙂
Nadine, I saw the comment on Rhodie’s blog too. I would love to read that post. Do you have a link?
Karen Swims last blog post..Stick It! 5 Lessons Learned From Olympic Gymnasts
Nadine Touzet says
I’ve just left a comment on RhodesTer’s blog… about one post I wrote, entitled ‘What does it mean to be a French woman?’
This post questioned cultural stereotypes, but I knew exactly the kind of appeal it was going to have, and I still get hits …
Nadine Touzets last blog post..Twitter Updates for 2008-08-12
Melissa Donovan says
This post is so up my alley! I LOVE superhero movies and Heroes is my favorite TV show. Okay, so Batman is my favorite (Batman Begins, specifically). Maybe because the Batman films in the 80s were what got me hooked on superheroes to begin with… Also, I love X-Men.
I think the ability to heal would be a great super power. Or flying. I’d sure love to fly.
Once I heard a riddle where you ask someone which power they’d rather have – invisibility or flying. It followed up with some quip about the person’s psyche, like if they chose invisibility they were sneaky and if they chose flying they prized freedom above all else.
Like I said, give me the wings.
Melissa Donovans last blog post..Work Your Jaws
Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Map says
In answer to Lynn Crymble’s comment about mind reading, a friend of a friend actually have this gift. The problem at the moment is that it is not “selective” mind reading. She is also able to read a few seconds ahead of what another party is thinking about as well.
A lot of us would have been delighted with such an amazing gift but not her. Because she has not been aware of how to use her talent properly, she has been in misery. Basically, she reads stuff that she prefers not to know.
Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Maps last blog post..How To Build Intuitive Awareness For Inspired Actions
KatFrench (coffeecupkat) says
**raises hand** Another comic book geek here. I’ve got the polybags and boxes full of back issues to prove it, too. 😉
On my old blog, one of the most consistently hit posts was one entitled “How to Paint the Future Like Isaac Mendez,” playing the idea of doodling in your journal to figure out your future goals off of the Heroes character’s superpower.
It was shocking to me how many people type that exact question as a search phrase month after month!
As for myself, the two heroines I most relate to are both from X-Men: Phoenix, and Dazzler (yes, folks, there is at least ONE Dazzler fan out there). It’s a dichotomy because Phoenix’s storyline has consistently been about sacrificing one’s own desires (or life), and Dazzler’s has been about the freedom to follow your own heart’s desire.
Interesting that the first one lead to the hero becoming a villain, and the latter lead to the “self-centered pop star” becoming a hero in spite of herself… but that’s prolly a whole blog post of it’s own. 😉
KatFrench (coffeecupkat)s last blog post..What is RSS, and Why Should I Care?
Brett Legree says
@Karen,
Thank you my friend.
Here’s hoping that Noseman and Farting Oprah Man never meet in a dark alley… it would not be pretty.
Brett Legrees last blog post..viking fridays – everything you always wanted to know about life change*
Karen Swim says
Wendi, I love that perspective! I think you’re also great at helping others to find and play up those strengths. Your blog always uplifts and encourages, and the new space is GORGEOUS! 🙂
If you have not visited Wendi’s go right over and see the Pen Men’s handiwork and Wendi’s awesome writing. You’ll thank me. 🙂
“Rhodie” you make me laugh, I give you linky love! Any guy brave enough to be Superman in public, has got something super going on in my book! lol!
Ulla, lol! What’s not to love about a gunslinging hero with cool cowboy boots (yep it’s all about the boots!) and a horse. Love it!
Brad, ROFL! Noseman? Well it would be cool to smell the good stuff but what about all the yucky smells? Noseman would have to have a strong stomach too. The Man with No Name fits you, not because you should be nameless but because from what I’ve learned of your tastes (music, TV…you learn a lot from what people blog about) I totally understand the appeal. 🙂
Rachel, I always think of you as a super sweetie and not a nerd. 🙂 I agree, doing the right thing and having a good heart are truly heroic. Grab your boots, you’re in the superhero club!
Kimota, *blushing* Thank you!!! You are so awesome! About that spandex though…that is the one thing I find not so super! LOL! Love the boots, capes, and gadgets but spandex not so much! 🙂
Brett, my kilted super wonder friend, you ARE everyman and you are a superhero to your family and friends. You spread light and goodness and help us all to really believe in CAN and Will. 🙂
P.S. I wish I looked as good as Wonder Woman! 🙂
Heather, LOL! You can so want to be Wonder Woman. Hmm, it would be cool to be “Calories don’t stick to me Woman.” LOL! You may not have her figure but you do fight evil with your overwhelming grace and goodness. 🙂
Friar, ROFL! How about Farting Oprah Man, then you could have it all! 🙂
Friar says
@Karen
I have it narrowed down to two choices:
One on hand, I’d like to be OPRAH-MAN.
I would fly around the country, helping people find their own Inner Beauty. I’d organize communities to work together to help the less fortunate, and make the world a better place for our children.
Either that, or I’d be FART-MAN
(Only because the sound effects would be really AWESOME! ) 🙂
Friars last blog post..Basil the Special Dog (Update Part II)
Heather Gardner says
Is it too vain to say that I’d like to be “Wonder Woman” because she has such a great figure and looks beautiful no matter what evil she’s fighting?
I could go back to putting 1/2 & 1/2 in my morning coffee again instead of the fat free kind.
🙂
Brett Legree says
My superhero would be Everyman.
Everyman’s secret power would be the ability to help others find within themselves their own special ability.
The funny thing is, I think this could be achievable, right now.
-Brett
PS – I like your self-portrait, Wonder Woman!
Brett Legrees last blog post..can’t fly without wings? fake it.
Kimota says
Excellent post, and far more highbrow than mine that just poked fun at the mere idea… 😉
There obviously is an innate desire amongst some people to become superheroes. Whether it is the heroism or the excuse to wear spandex , I’m not sure.
My favourite keyword search that brought someone to my superhero post was just the other day… Someone typed into Google
“The secret formula to becoming a superhero at the age of 8,and up”.
Thanks for the link love. Consider this post Stumbled.
Kimotas last blog post..Old Friends
Rachel says
Karen, I love this post. I’m a super nerd so I love superheroes. My favorites are the flawed heroes – you know, Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, the ones that don’t really want to do it, but in the end always do the right thing. I think most people can easily relate that to every-day life. As long as we have a good heart and make the right decision, despite not wanting to, I’d call that heroic.
Rachels last blog post..Why I Could Never Be A Recruiter
Brad Shorr says
This is a fascinating conversation. A few thoughts come to mind.
1. Why in the pantheon of superheroes is there no Noseman, a man with a superhuman sense of smell? 🙂
2. I’ve never been attracted to superheroes as much as to supervillains. As a rule they have more depth and mystery about them.
3. My favorite superhero is The Man with No Name, the Clint Eastwood character from those spaghetti westerns. i can watch those movies again and again. He had depth and mystery, probably because he barely said anything. But he had a quiet, calm confidence one can only have, I suppose, by being invincible.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Battle of the Titans – Google Gmail vs. Outlook
Ulla Hennig says
When I was a kid I wanted to be – I hear you all laughing out loud! – ahem – the kind of hero John Waynein in some of his films incorporated. Punishing the Bad and Helping the ones in need, fighting for Justice, this sort of things. But still being human (I liked him for having his difficulties with women).
Ulla Hennigs last blog post..Keep on Trying
RhodesTer says
LINK LOOOOOOOOVE!!!!!
Thanks 🙂
As mentioned in my Hollywood series, the only Superman I ever met – at least of the costumed variety – didn’t actually have any super powers. He was a nice guy though, so maybe that counts for something.
RhodesTers last blog post..The Dream Phantom
Wendi Kelly says
Karen,
What a great post. I think that everyone has at least one or two super powers. In fact, I think every one of our weaknessess is made up for somewhere else by a strength, we just have to find it. For example I am dyslexic and can’t spell and count on my fingers, but I can read a 700+ book in 3 hours, and have succeded very well in the sales and marketing world. Everybody has pluses and minuses and it all averages out. The trick is to play up the pluses.
I think my super power is that invisable sign on my fore head that tells strangers to come up to me out of nowhere and start telling me their darkest secrets. I listen and don’t tell. I know that you have it too. I don’t know where it came from so it must be a super power. LOL!
Go Wonder Woman President Karen!
Wendi Kellys last blog post..New Adventures
Karen Swim says
Steph, I for one think you’re pretty darn super! Brain and faith oh yea, those are superpowers we all have and should maximize! You are right though, other people really can reveal “powers” that we take for granted. See Shannon’s comments above. 🙂
Robert, LOL! I’m glad the power is er under the hat. 🙂 Freezing time would be fun. I would use it to prevent bad things and correct “glamour don’ts.” Then the world around me would be free of accidents (real and bad hair/clothing). 🙂
Robert Hruzek says
“So, is your Stetson like Sampson’s hair?” Thank goodness it’s not! I can take it off and still almost manage to leap a tall lawn ornament in a single bound.
The power I imagined having when I was a kid was the ability to stop time. If I saw something terrible about to happen to somebody (say a car was about to hit ’em), well, I could cause time to come to a screeching halt, then go over and move them out of the way. Then I would let time resume normal speed.
The only drawback I could think of was that I would spend so much of my own life in “frozen” time, then to the rest of the world I would age much faster than normal. That didn’t seem so fun. Oh, well.
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..Joyful Jubilant Learning Guest Post #2 Today
Steph says
Great post, Karen, and a really great point in your last paragraph. What is my superpower? I’ll have to think on that and digest more what you’re saying. I don’t believe my superpower is editing. It’s actually got more to do with the way I deal with people. Everyone says I am such a people person. (So if you can’t find your superpower, ask someone else, I guess!)
When I was a kid, I used to dream I was a superhero. I still wish it. I never had one specific power, though, I was just totally unlimited. I could make whatever I wanted happen, ANYTHING. I had all the abilities combined. Of course I did!
The funny thing is, it’s not so stupid, really. According to many, I do indeed possess the power to make anything I want happen — so long as I have at least a brain and faith.
Stephs last blog post..Faking It
Karen Swim says
Lynn, LOL! I love your comment! Are you sure your superpower is not “bringing the funny”? LOL! Oh man would I love to have that power too, sometimes you walk away scratching your head, “what just happened here?” I would venture to say you are not at all screwed up! 😉
John, always glad to erase the effects of cryptonite from a fellow Superhero. 🙂 *Dusting you off, handing you spinach* You rock, go forth and be super! 🙂
JJ, thanks so much for the tweet about this too! I love what you’re doing and am now following herocamp on Twitter. Anyone who helps kids in my book is definitely a superhero! When you’re up and running, please come back and tell us (guest post? Interview?).
Shannon, your comments have me blushing and tearing up. Thank you so much for those timely words of encouragement. I think you’re right, we often take our own gifts for granted. It helps when others point them out to you (Thank you again!). What you do is a big deal and I have certainly gained from your internal puzzling. I know that others will benefit from your comments here today Shannon, thanks for taking time to share them. 🙂
Robert, what insightful comments that ahem might make a good What I Learned From.. post. 🙂 You just taught me a few lessons and offered a brand new perspective. So, is your Stetson like Sampson’s hair? 🙂
Robert Hruzek says
Oh, and by the way, nice self-portrait! 😀
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..Joyful Jubilant Learning Guest Post #2 Today
Robert Hruzek says
Even though he never wore a Stetson (that I know of), my favorite has always been Spiderman. After all, Peter Parker was just an ordinary schmo, but with a special, unique ability. And when you got right down to it, he was really just a guy who was doing his best to grow up.
As a young man, he was a complete doofus around girls (like me), a major nerd (like me), and filled with self-doubts about who he was and why he was “here” (like me). Not to mention the fact that even though he saved the world about 50 times a day, he still had to find a way to make a living!
Yep; great lessons for real life, if you ask me!
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..Joyful Jubilant Learning Guest Post #2 Today
Shannon Paul says
I am a big believer in superpowers — maybe not in the most literal sense, but I believe that our best attributes are really super since not everyone has them.
For a long time, I didn’t think the ability to write was anything special — in my mind I thought that everyone could do that. Over time and with repeated exposure to really bad writing, I realized that it actually was kind of a big deal.
I think most of our superpowers, or strengths, are things we tend to take for granted because they are the things that seem effortless to us.
If I had my choice, I would remember to include others more often. I can get so wrapped up in my mental processes, puzzles and the accumulation of information, that I forget to reach out and include others. I mention this, because Karen, I think this is one of your superpowers. Thanks for reaching out to me today. 🙂
Shannon
Shannon Pauls last blog post..Don’t hold your breath waiting for the end of PR spam
JJ Lassberg says
WOW! Your post is sooo timely!
We are in the process of putting together (super)hero camp (http://barcamp.pbwiki.com/HeroCamp) – where we truly are getting a bunch of everyday heroes together to work on a program that will support children and empower them to be heroes!
Awesome!
~ JJ
John Paul Riger says
Ok…I am going to become a superhero….again! I think like all superheros we win some battles and loose a few too. I’m done licking my wounds, just about healed up and in reading this blog am reminded of exactly what you say here Karen…TY and great blog!!!
John
Lynn Crymble says
Superpower I would like: selective mind-reading
I wouldn’t want to hear everyone’s thoughts all the time but it would kick in whenever I would find myself asking “What the heck was he/she thinking?”
Having this kind of understanding would either make a crazy person or figure out what it is I really need to do to make people happy.
As for what my superpower is in reality – I honestly have no idea. Since I can’t read my own mind, I’m thinking that I’m kinda screwed 🙂
Lynn Crymbles last blog post..A Friendlier, New Kind of Book Review: First up, a business book not like other business books