What’s Your Superpower?
24For awhile now, my little nephew has had a superpower. “I never get cold,” he says. And it’s true; he’s out in all weather, insisting that he can bike to school in winter time, running around in rain and snow with the bare minimum of clothing. It tickles me, a native New Englander who also loves the weather, and it also made me think recently, “Why, I bet we all have a superpower.” So I’ve been thinking about mine, and asking others about theirs, and I would love to know yours.
Let me define “superpower”; I have a few thoughts. A superpower is the thing that you do better than anyone you know (not necessarily anyone on earth, just anyone you know). Or a superpower is the essential you – the thing that makes you different from anyone else on the planet. Or a superpower is your gift, your talent. Or it’s that combination of traits and skills you bring to the world that make you YOU.
I’ve polled a few others on their superpower. One friend told me her superpower is her dreams. Her whole life, she’s had powerful dreams that provide information and insight and guide her both practically and spiritually. Another friend told me her superpower is “being myself.” She’s simply herself in all situations, without putting up a disguise or changing her behavior based on what others might expect of her. Another friend said it’s his ability to “see” and value others. Wow, powerful stuff.
I’ve thought about my superpower. I think it’s a combination of traits and talents. My core commitment to honesty (both self-honesty and with others) and to taking personal responsibility, combined with my patience, compassion, and ability to see many perspectives – all of these add up to my superpower. If I had to sum it up, perhaps I would say “Knowing where I end and others begin equals intense growth for me and an ability to support others on their own path without getting in their way.” Not exactly a succinct superpower, but the closest I can get right now.
So, what’s your superpower? Here are some questions to help you hone in on it.
- What is the thing that you do better than anyone you know?
- What is the essential you – the thing that makes you different from anyone else on the planet?
- What is your gift or talent?
- What combination of traits and skills make you YOU?
A few more thoughts on superpowers. I think of them as powers for good. Identifying your superpower is a way to define your passion and purpose in life. Why are we here? What is our special talent and how do we put it to good use in the world? What drives you? I think of my superpower as an expression of my passion and purpose – it’s what I love to do more than anything in the world. In my case, my superpower drives me to greater and greater heights in becoming my best self and using what I learn to help others become their best selves.
I’d love to hear from you – please weigh in.
Paul
March 14, 2010Linda,
That’s a great question, what is my superpower? I could use this in many other situations, such as work.
I think mine would be patience, understanding and acceptance. I going to think more about this!
Thank you for such a great question.
Regards
Paul
wolflinda
March 15, 2010Paul,
Sounds like an excellent combination of traits. If you have further insight, would love to hear it.
Linda
Archan Mehta
March 14, 2010Linda:
My superpower is that I was born an eccentric.
I don’t think so, but this is what other people have told me, over the years. I don’t fit in somehow, and can’t seem to follow the mentality of the herds and crowds.
Well, since you asked:
I crack jokes that bomb at the box office.
I can make people feel at ease. I have a non-threatening personality, easygoing.
I live a simple and functional lifestyle. Almost like a bohemian (I am artistically-inclined).
I am a freelance writer. I love art and science.
I enjoy physical/manual labor and am rather sporty and fond of the outdoors life.
I am sensitive to babies and toddlers and feel they are special people in our lives.
I am casual and informal. In the past, I have been known to be the life of the party. I have many friends and relatives and colleagues.
However, I need to work on self-discipline and also need a healthy dose of pragmatism.
Oh well, enough said. I guess we all have our strengths and limitations.
I think I have many flaws, but a sense of optimism pervades my life. So, I am hopeful.
Cheers!
wolflinda
March 15, 2010Archan,
What a great list. Sounds like you know yourself pretty well. If you had to sum it up in one word, phrase, or sentence, what would you say?
Lina
Stephanie
March 14, 2010I have been told that I possess a gift of drawing to me what I say I want or need. I used to think that this was my strength, perceverance and ambition. I now believe it’s a combination of those things, and a growing ability to tap into a strong belief that the Universe will provide. I have always been a person who makes things happen, but I no longer believe that this is totally due to my will, I believe it’s my working in concert with the Universe.
I am also pretty funny, and a fiercely loyal and loving friend.
Great question!
wolflinda
March 15, 2010Stephanie,
Thanks for much for your visit. Your gift sounds quite amazing, and I really like what you say about working in concert with the Universe to draw things to you, or “make things happen.” I agree, the more in alignment I am with the greater path of my life, the more things flow easily and naturally. I just need to step out of my own way. So glad you came by, and hope to see you here again.
Linda
ML
March 14, 2010My superpower is the power to heal!
wolflinda
March 15, 2010Hey Mary Lynn! So nice to see you here. Keep on healin’! Thanks for commenting. Linda
butterfly
March 14, 2010My superpower? loving others unconditionally
wolflinda
March 15, 2010Cool! How do you continue to love someone unconditionally if they behave in an unacceptable manner (treat someone abusively, go out and commit a crime against someone else, etc.)?
Bisaleth
March 15, 2010Because everyone has reasons for doing those things, I mean, it really isn’t their fault, it’s just that they had some experience that made them that way, so I can sorta see what she’s saying. I don’t hate anyone in the world, but that’s not saying much, she loves everyone! That’s amazing!
wolflinda
March 15, 2010Bisaleth, I agree. I’ve learned that I can love people unconditionally no matter what their behavior. But I may choose not to have a close relationship with them. In the same way, I can love people that I don’t even like. I can love people I don’t know. It’s a deep love from a spiritual source, and then there’s my practical ability to protect myself from unacceptable behavior that can have a negative impact on my life.
Yolanda Facio
March 14, 2010I have two… the first… reading people, I’m rarely wrong. Second, telling the future. Like when you see that glass at the edge of the table and you know it’s gonna end badly…or the new customer with an Armani jacket and Target shoes…you just know it’s gonna end badly…
wolflinda
March 15, 2010Yolanda,
Good to see you here. Interesting about being able to read people. How do you think you do it? Do you sense their energy? Or is it just a “knowing” that you don’t know how you know but just do?
Linda
Pat Robeck
March 15, 2010Linda, I have creative troubleshooting ability. I love solving problems, in ways others haven’t thought of before. This ability is not limited to mechanical things, but, other life problems also. Have a nice day.
wolflinda
March 15, 2010Pat, Thanks for your comments. What a great superpower. So can you troubleshoot “on your feet” or does it require you to reflect and take some time? Or both? Linda
Pat Robeck
March 15, 2010Both ways, when it is needed. Pat
Ben
March 15, 2010Ah my superpower is Positivity. I can save the planet with my positive outlook on life.
Excuse me I’m off to find my cape and underpants!
wolflinda
March 15, 2010What’s that in the sky? It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s…a man in underpants?! ;->
Ryan Hanzel
March 15, 2010I can shoot laser beams out of my eyes! Well no not really..
I think my superpower is the ability to hone in on peoples auras that they give off whether they are mad or happy or distraught. Be able to kind of see how the person truly feels without them telling me.
Great post, I had to really think about it
wolflinda
March 16, 2010Ryan, that sounds pretty cool. How do you know you’re right? What do you do with this superpower of yours? Linda
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July 27, 2010[...] What’s Your Superpower? [...]
Ingrid Oliphant
June 11, 2011My superpower, the thing that makes me my own Wonder Woman, is the way the Magic of the universe moves through me to heal and awaken others, to reintroduce them to, well, themselves, and help relieve others of those things that are limitations and encumbrances. WOOT!! Looks like we’re keeping amazing company, no?
Flame ON! (yeah, I know. It’s not Wonder Woman’s line but it suits me! )
wolflinda
June 11, 2011Ingrid,
What an absolutely totally awesome superpower! I love it. How does this work? I’d love to hear an example. I do feel like mine is similar, yes, thanks for the company!
Best,
Linda