What's your superpower?

What skill or ability do you possess that helps you to stand out?  Something that enhances your career or personal life.  A skill that helps you and others. Do you even know what it is or do you not have the confidence to acknowledge or embrace that skill? Are you using this superpower for good or evil?  (Yes, a lot of questions to hit you with so early in this posting)

I have two awesome kids.  Anyone that knows me, knows that my kids rule my life.  They are the fuel that drives me to be a better person.  They are animated, but well behaved.  They take over and own every room they walk into.  Christal and I are beyond blessed to have them in our lives.  They are also great tax deductions, but saving us money is certainly not their superpower.

When asking my kids about their superpowers, this is what I get in response-

Erin:       “I have eagle eyes”

Sean:     “I have Aquabats power.  I can shoot stuff with lasers and I can run really fast”.

Ok, Erin is almost 8 and her superpower is more realistic and true.  Although Sean can run pretty fast, for an almost 5 year old, his Aquabat powers (his favorite TV show) and being able to shoot with lasers isn’t exactly believable.  Again, he’s 4.  Getting him to aim his pee inside the toilet should be the next superpower that he should focus on.  Mastering this skill would be a good idea before anyone lets him play with lasers.  Erin actually has eagle eyes.  She masters every word search she does and can find things we have lost.  Her superpower is a skill she has used for good in the past; especially when her brother drops or forgets his favorite toys and someone has to find them after his 2.3 seconds of “searching everywhere”.

I can talk to people. I’m a communicator. That’s my superpower-Communication. 

Tonight, on my way home, I stopped off to pick up food for dinner.  While waiting for my takeout, I had a beer at the bar.  In less than 3 questions in 5 minutes, both bartenders pretty much unloaded their entire life stories while I listened.  By asking the right questions and shutting up long enough for them to respond and to continue to respond, I was able to learn a lot.  Asking the right questions is important, but actively listening is where you receive the greatest takeaways. This is my superpower and I choose to use my powers for good. 

I want to know your story.  I like stories.  Life stories interest me more than most things in this world.  Others have more expensive hobbies in life.  I collect stories.  I only follow podcast that tell stories about the lives of others.  I want to gain knowledge through my personal experiences and the experiences of others.  I pull from these stories and takeaways and try to use them as reference points, warnings and lessons.  The information I attain from conversations is not used for leverage or “evil”.  It is used for education.  I want to know the measure of a person and what makes them tick.  Why the do what they do, or rather, why they are holding back from doing other things.  I’m not judging you or grading you or thinking of ways to “fix” you while you speak.  Instead, I am taking your story in and investing in your experience.  Yes, I might contribute to the conversation by sharing my take or opinion, but more often than not, my words are meant to dive deeper into the conversation and possibly establish a healthier connection.  Even with complete strangers.  No, I don’t want to know about your awkward digestive track issues (TMI), but I do want to know what motivates you. 

Are you a user or an investor in the lives and futures of others?  Are you a hero or a villain? After all our possessions or our items of value are gone, all we really have is our stories and experiences. The knowledge you possess is your laser and x-ray vision.   

Each of us have a unique superpower.  Accept your ability and have the confidence to share it with the world.  By “putting it out there”, it will grow.  Becoming aware of your gift may take time and you may have to work to build up the confidence needed to share it with the world.  We all have things that we do that benefit us, but what gifts do you possess that can change the world, or more realistically, help those immediately around you?   You may not have the answer now in life, but be sensitive enough to realize it and embrace it once it appears to you. 

If you figure out how to fly like Superman, I have a 4 year old that would love to meet you.