It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s SUPER CAROLINE!
Have you ever fantasized what it would be like to have a super power? My wonderful fiancé turned me on to “Heroes” - a TV show about every day people with super powers. What would you do if you could read minds like Claire? How would your life be different if you could stop time like Hiro? Would you use your power to improve your life or the lives of others? Would you use your power to to bilk the system like in the movie “Second Sight”? (google it – it’s a hilarious ‘80’s movie with Bronson Pinchot from “Perfect Strangers”) Lately, I have been pondering: What would I do differently if I had a super power?
In the past, my dear friend and business partner Brecka from heresthehow.com has brought up this fascinating point, but it was only recently I had an “ah hah” moment, or more so, an “ah hah” question I was compeled to ask myself: What if I already have a super power? Not in the vein of “Heroes” – but in a more subtle way. Brecka and I have both noticed the people around us and spotted super powers in every one of them: A friend who has the power to diffuse tense situations when mediating opposing forces. The co-worker who has the power to make everyone feel loved and welcome like Marion Cunningham. These super human powers make such a powerful impact in our lives and in our world, yet our society is reluctant to categorize these examples for what they really are: “super powers”.
This point of fascination has recently transformed into a point of deep personal introspection (typical Caroline: my first reaction is fascination, but it takes some time to go a little deeper). I’ve been able to recognize the super powers others possess, but what is my super power? What do I naturally do with ease and joy that makes the biggest impact in my life and in others’ lives?
During a bitching session with a friend, my super power revelation occured. I love when bitching sessions can become brainstorming sessions! Hehe! Anyways, I complained to my friend that “I hate knowing too much.” By “know too much”, I meant that I have the insight to know that the family member who has a knack for creating divisive outbursts does it because it’s the only environment they feel safe. Or why an acquaintance comes off super harsh but really just desires a genuine connection. I bitched to my friend that my ability of real understanding actually made me feel UN-EMPOWERED. Like I knew what was really real, but I felt there was nothing I could do and that everyone was on their own life path. C’est la vie…
After getting off the phone with my loving friend, I chuckled to myself: Caroline, why is your power making you feel UN-EMPOWERED? I thought: How wacky is it that I feel un-empowered by my own power?! After having a good laugh about how ridiculous my internal (and external) dialogue was, I once again turned inward and asked myself: “Really Caroline, WHY IS YOUR SUPER POWER MAKING YOU FEEL UN-EMPOWERED????????”
*BINGO* My super power was making me feel powerless because I WAS NOT ACTING ON IT! I had the first part down: cueing into the true heart of my fellow brother or sister…but I was not following through with the crucial second half of connecting and communicating (2 things I can totally do!) I envisioned: What if Clark Kent knew he had super powers but was never Superman? How would Clark Kent cope with knowing his power but not using his power; what kind of a world would that be? Well, I should know because I’ve spent the majority of my life being Clark Kent. How many of us waste our powers sitting idly by as a “mild mannered citizen” not invoking change and feeling powerless…all the while not using/abusing our super powers?
Why? FEAR, it’s because of fear! With great power comes great responsibility. And like most people I’d rather “play it safe” than put myself out on an emotional limb. However, any poker champ or stock broker will tell you, “The greater the risk the greater the reward”. The good news is that we aren’t gambling with money people, we are gambling on a sure thing with a resource that’s always in endless supply: Love.
An ultimate realization occured: I have a greater risk by NOT enacting my super power then by playing it “safe”. I thought back to the moments in my life when I broke out of my Clark Kent shell and acted as Superman…suddenly I was overcome with feelings of joy, passion, love and ZERO regrets. Conversely, when I remembered my Clark Kent moments, I did not feel passion or joy or love. I felt longing, incompleteness, and a lot of “coulda wouldas”. This assessment had me muse that through the theory of Classical Conditioning, even Pavlov’s dogs would have come to the conclusion that acting as Superman is better than acting as Clark Kent!
What if we all started using our unique super powers? Oh and just imagine if even a fraction of us did this. It would inspire others to do the same resulting in a glorious domino effect of empowerment, joy, passion and love! Whoooeee! Can you believe what kind of Utopia the world would be??? The exponential positive change would blow our minds. What’s even better is that the power to make this a reality is right at our fingertips!
Guess what folks, in the next week I have TWO opportunities to be Superman, or should I say, Wonderwoman :) Don’t get me wrong, I am nervous! Rejection, unacceptance, and a hurt ego are all potential consequences running through my mind. What if this, what if that…etc, etc. But what if I do nothing? Doing nothing is no longer an option. Once I fully realized my super power, the super powers within ALL OF US, the idea of NOT doing anything it is scarier than putting my amazing super powers to work.
What unique super power do you have? If you aren’t sure, here is your challenge: Take a moment right now to reflect on what you do with ease and joy. Because, little ones, what you do with ease and joy IS YOUR SUPER POWER! To those of you who know your power, but are too nervous, doubtful or scared to use it: I challenge YOU to put your super power into effect at least once within the next week.
I love watching the TV show Heroes, but I’ve seen the results when super powers are not used or abused…and I’ve seen the results in my own life. Now that’s a re-run I’ll skip 
Check out Caroline’s other Personal Journal Entries!!
08/21/10 - Happy Body, Happy Mind
You are so right Caroline, a lot of us don’t realize the power that we have within each one of us. I can say that I for one was like you and feared using it. My power is loving and helping people no matter what avenue they come from. The fear of getting hurt, rejected or just simply ignored is always there but I move on keep on using my power. I feel that if with that power I have helped at least one person then I have accomplished something with worthwhile in my life. Love and Life go hand in hand.
Mari