That was your disclaimer
I recently went to WonderCon in Anaheim. It was awesome. It was awesome because it is one of the only times you can dress up slutty or nerdy and be completely accepted and somewhat worshipped by fellow nerds or guys that don’t get out of the basement often and get to see a half naked girl. Nice. More than that though, it’s a time that you can pay respect to parts of yourself that you hold in. It’s the outlet to the things that we hold within us. Enough about that...
So waaaaay back in the day we had these wonderful beings called Gods. Now I’m not going to get into the whole theory about them but know that based on your culture…your family of origin…your country…etc…these gods were “amazing” in that they were everywhere. There were so many of them that people worshipped them for all things. What happened to them? Well in modern days we lost them. They went away. There is not much, if any, talk about these gods. Depth Psychology, which I love, says that these gods never disappeared but because there were not acknowledged openly anymore…instead went to the one place that they could not be forgotten. They went into man. When these gods went into man they then became what we know as illness today. What “better” way to not be forgotten than to be in our illnesses.
Anyways…that got me thinking years ago about the possibility of Gods returning in different forms. See where I’m going? What if gods then got transferred by people into comic book heroes. I know. It’s a stretch. But really think about the psychology of these heroes. You have so many to choose from that we as people begin to relate and feel attracted to them. These heroes are things we want to be…they can fly, lift things with their minds, are super strong, virtually indestructible, smart…etc.
More than that…heroes are beings that many times represent some of the hardships we have ourselves have gone through that come out with more. It is only through their stress or trauma that they came out with these special talents, gifts, powers. Wounded Heroes. Wounded Healers.
The point?
Superheroes are us.
Like us, heroes hide themselves. They keep their powers at bay and do not let others see them. These heroes have superpowers that they acquired through some hardship, pain or trauma. Like us, they feel the need to keep them hidden and a secret. Other people cannot know about the superpowers. Bruce Wayne would not have become Batman if his parents were not killed. Superman would not be superman if he wasn’t made an orphan.
We all have our stories. Our traumas- and they all come out of us in different ways….that which we hide can be used for great good or for bad. But they all come from somewhere. Superheroes are simply ways for us to see that outside of ourselves.
Just some examples that can be understood in lots of ways….
The hulk has an anger problem…can any of you relate to that? Was he abused growing up? Was he never heard enough or held down that the only way to be heard is to show anger?
Iron man is this hero that puts on a tough outer shell and protection that hides a broken man with a drinking problem, whose father has passed. The douchebags of the world.
Dr. Octopus felt the need to do more because of how much that he has on his plate that he literally gave himself more arms to help him complete more work…resulting in a loss of control of all things. Workaholics.
Wolverine has claws…sure…but he also has the ability to get hurt over and over again because he can heal himself. He has these indestructible claws and bones that cannot break. Perfectionists and those who want the pain and judgment from others. They love criticism and beating up on themselves.
Mystique is the blue gal that can take the form of anyone and prefers to because she doesn’t want to be herself and different from others. Most highschoolers and all of you out there that are afraid of being the truest form of you in the company of others. So afraid of being you, that you become them.
Even Jedi are heroes. They represent a relationship and model for the connection to the higher being…to god and faith. They believe in a mystical force that flows and is responsible for all things.
The point? Well…the point I’m trying to make is that like superheroes…your traumas and stresses have given you something unique. They have given you a gift…a superpower that no one else on Earth has. Your life experiences are more than an obstacle that slowed you down, but have been a blessing to create the superhero that you are today. Right now. This moment. You are a fuckin’ hero. You have powers. Own them. The different between the “good” guy and the “bad” guy?
The good guy is the one who owns and constantly works with their power…continually practices and uses their powers for others.
The bad guy is the one who lets their superpower and gift own them. They use their gifts and powers not for others…but for themselves.
This is the unfortunate part about the whole situation. Too many people walk around thinking poorly about themselves. Not owning what they have and instead letting their gift and superpower define and overpower them. They live in sadness and let their trauma define their lives. They live careless and in the clouds because of their fear of falling after that "one" time being burned. They want to be able to see the future because of the horrible trauma that they had to endure...so are afraid of living. When you do this...when you hold back...you are hiding. You are letting your gift own you. Letting it cover up the work and story you need to share and tell. Stop hiding behind the glasses and trenchcoat...the day job...the excuses.
Which hero are you? What is your super power? What is your gift that only your life and experiences have given you? How do your powers come out…what do they look like?
Come on out superheroes. We need more of you.