Superhero Human
I don't go out of my way to watch superhero movies
but maybe I should
because when I actually know what the hell's going on,
there's always this moment when the hero-
our beloved underdog- looks into the camera
and charges up all of their power into a burst of strength,
drips with raw emotion- and overcomes the obstacle.
The hero's efforts put some good into the world
and their endings are full of love and hope.
Roll Credits!
When I walk out of a superhero movie,
I feel like they did. I stand up straight,
walk with confidence... I feel like I could start a business or
learn to cook better or make a podcast or write a book.
And there isn't anything 'super' about it.
They survive trauma, just like we do.
The difference is that when we go through trauma
and come out alive,
we have to write our own resolution.
All the healing and recovery is off-screen.
It's vulnerable and unglamorous.
Our personal bad guys usually don't end up in jail.
All my life I wanted powers- partly because they're fucking rad-
but mostly because I wish I could expel the pain out of me
and use it as my transformation.
I don't have sciency-magic. But I am doing just that.
Only, instead of lifting a mountain, I'm climbing one.
My healing and transformation is spread out across months and years.
Am I stronger than a superhero?? No, we all are...
We don't need superhero momentum
we believe it's their fire we're borrowing
when we walk out of the movie theater.
But it’s ours.