I always thought I would have more muscles. You wouldn’t think that a superhero would have man-handles. But I do. It turns out that super strength doesn’t have anything to do with the size of your muscles. So my arms are the same size they were before I knew I had these abilities. And there isn’t really any way to improve them. I mean, I have super strength. Exactly how am I supposed to exercise? And it turns out superheroes don’t all have washboard stomachs. So my stomach looks about the same as all the other guys my age. Not terrible, but starting to hang over my belt a little. And what am I supposed to do to raise my metabolism? I can speed around the world and not even raise my heartbeat. The elliptical doesn’t exactly go fast enough. It’s just not turning out the way I thought it would.
And why doesn’t anyone warn you about superhero costumes? First of all, glasses… not a disguise. If your mom wears contacts and takes them out before bed, when she puts on her glasses, you still know its your mom. Immediately. No disguise at all. And the costumes? Terrible. The spandex of Adam West and Christopher Reeve is incredibly awkward. And how are you supposed to disguise who you really are? A small mask around your eyes? Doesn’t work. The only way is a full mask, but then you look like an out of shape Mexican wrestler.
And you know what else no one discusses? Finances. You don’t get paid for stopping crimes or saving lives. Unless you join the army or the police force. And it’s really hard to keep another job if you disappear every time you’re needed elsewhere. I mean, think about it. How long would you keep your job if you just disappeared a few times a day? Not long. So, I’ve had to start my own business and be self-employed, but then taxes kill you. The only other option is not to have a secret identity and be a sell-out, supporting products and making money through endorsements. But your spandex outfit over your huge Nike hightops looks a little awkward. There you go to fight crime in your Mt. Dew-mobile.
And the funny thing is I find myself on the computer just like everyone else. I missed a bank robbery because I was in the middle of a World of Warcraft quest. Sometimes I even play Sims. Which means that I’m a real superhero, online pretending to be a normal person. It’s strange that we spend so much time wishing we were someone else. Even Facebook pages are us presenting a certain image to the world. I have a Facebook page for me as a normal person and me as a superhero. One has 10 million friends, and one has 7. Guess which is which.
I guess this just hasn’t turned out like I thought it would. I thought it would finally provide the fulfillment I had been looking for. I thought I would feel needed and wanted. But I still find myself wanting. Being a superhero isn’t quite what I thought it would be.
Thoughts? Interpretations? Wisdom?
Todd
Kinda. Feeling like the desciples after hey heard a parable from the Lord.
Sounds like you are speaking of the life of any one in the public spotlight.
I often wonder, after watching how people claw over their pastor’s favor,
If pastors, singers, actors could ever have any real friends or sense of normal life at all.
As if it’s showing the not-so-glamorous side of such postitions. The more I think about finally surrendering to ministry, the more these kinds of thoughts invade my peace. Like how pastor are scrutinized on every move they make. Always having to fit into the image of the ideal servant (which of course is different to each person).
Looking forward to more input on this one.
and you never even discussed secret hideouts and sidekicks.. I mean try to find a good economical hideout in today’s economy… sure.. if you want to be in the country, no problem, but try to be near a city and your prices skyrocket… and a good sidekick probably has a good union behind him which means a healthcare plan and retirement benefits… Thats why I leave the superhero stuff to God, and I know my place as His sidekick.. he gives me all the benefits I need… except a cool sidekick name..
peace
I had a major disaster last year which kinda relates. I’m looking down the barrel at 50 come spring, so I OUGHT to know better. I tried to be somebodys superhero. And I expected her to be mine. This wierd, unhealthy, co-dependent friendship snuck up on me, and the end was devastating! Through many months of grief, I came to some old truths all over again. Let God be God. We strive to be LIKE Him, to please Him…but we overstep our bounds when we try to fix our loved ones. We head for heartbreak when we forget the One who created and knows our heart. People are people, no matter their status or talents. I’m in the process of recovery and healing. I think of the old song He Washed my Eyes with Tears. I’m seeing clearly these days. No superhero is going to do for me like
Jesus does! God bless, Todd…I enjoy your writing. You can skip the spandex…keep it real! 😉
It’s all about perspective. Some people see a superhero and others see a normal person. Both groups of people miss the “real” person inside the superhero and miss the superhero inside the normal person. It is a lonely place to be. Only a few, insightful people see beyond the mask and the ordinary to celebrate the unique person inside.
From the perspective of the superhero/normal person, if his self-worth is based on either persona, he will live life on a roller coaster of circumstances and emotions, trying to please the masses, rather than living in freedom as a beloved image bearer who has many facets, including normal and superhero.
It is a great loss when other people can’t see beyond the physical or place too much value on performance, but it is a tragedy when an individual lives his entire life trying to be someone different, and misses out on becoming the amazing person whose unique gifting can speak life and hope to the world.
It’s not the spandex costume or the mask or even the superpowers that turns an ordinary person into a hero. It’s the power of love that transforms the ordinary heart into the heart of a hero, and motivates him to move into the lives of others with a message of hope.
We all have aspects of the superhero within the ordinary. The difference is all in the perspective.
brenda you couldn’t have said it any better.
We need to stop looking on the outside and realize that there is more to that person than what we see outwardly and learn to appreciate them for what they have to offer. Instead of what they lack.
And also not to place such high expectations on people; they are people just like you and me. They have their EVERYDAY struggles, faults, and much needed personal time.