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Remember back a few weeks ago when I was reading Darcy Eikenberg’s Bring Your Superpowers To Work and how it bugged me that I couldn’t figure out what my superpowers were?
I mean, I’ve always been told that it’s more important to know WHO you are than to know WHERE you’re going. Yet there I was on a bleak February day not knowing myself OR my path.
So I decided to dig in and determine what superpowers I had. Then I created this list. Perhaps it’s a bit lighter in tone than what Darcy has in mind, but it is who I am. Which I do believe is the whole point of this exercise.
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I am…
- able to confirm that the color you painted your walls is not the right color.
- able to laugh, more often than not, at the absurdities of life.
- able to say thank you so many times in a day that it may sound insincere, but it’s not.
- able to bring ideas and experiences together in novel ways.
- able to determine within minutes of meeting someone if said person is a problem solver or a problem keeper.
- able to sit on the curb and clap enthusiastically as the parade goes by.
- able to find a way to avoid ironing anything, preferring to delegate that task to anyone with the patience necessary to get rid of wrinkles.
- able to remember minutiae/information that doesn’t matter any more.
- able to remember to write down minutiae/information that matters now, often remembering where said minutiae/information is after being written down.
- able to pick myself up, brush myself off, curse about life’s inequities– and then start all over again.
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Now, I’ve shared my list. What about you, gentle readers? What are your superpowers? I’d love to know.
THE SPECTACLED BEAN 
Now THAT is a great list of who you are! I am not surprised at anything except maybe acknowledging the wrong wall color as your writing reflects who you are.
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kate, thank you. I do try to be true to who I am here.
The thing about the wall color is that I know the wrongness of it, but rarely am able to suggest the right one for you. I’m really more tea + sympathy, than useful action plan.
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I think the last one might be the most important – and it’s one I want to be able to do again. I’m not sure what my own super powers are. I always kind of hoped they’d include flying.
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Zazzy, you’re probably right. Considering how many things I’ve screwed up in my life, being able to eventually get over the screw-ups— while loudly complaining about them– is a good superpower. 😉
I’m sure that you can do it, too. Just complain vociferously while crying into your beer. That’s always a good way to start.
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Unfair – you have all the best super powers!
Right now I’m trying to convince myself that giving a totally hyper dog that ran through multiple homes ( for very good reasons) and one that has probably run out of options/foolish people is a superpower and not insanity….it’s looking more and more like the latter.
Thanks for the giggles
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philmouse, I’m sure that you have lots of superpowers, too. In fact, even trying to help that dog continue on is a superpower– regardless of the ultimate outcome. Good for you.
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Mainly I’ve always taken hard cases – both people and animals – and figured out where they were, and where they needed to go, and dusted them off with a plan of how to get there and shoved them on their way. Trouble shooter in every place I’ve ended up since a little kid.
But it would be nice to have neat clean house…although it would probably feel much too strange.
Giggles. that’s my superpower. Giggle at and for life. Your posts of course help with that!
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philmouse, that’s an insightful summary of who you are and how/what you do things in life. Well said.
If you’ve never lived in a consistently clean house, I suspect that it might be too much for you to have one now! Better that you keep on helping the messy and the unfocused, while giggling your way through life. Sounds like a plan to me.
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Normally things here are very organized (husband is pretty much of a clean freak – in spurts), but Molly requires so much redirection and has so much energy, somethings have to get let go. Afraid the Bouviers’ temperament and the German’s politeness had us spoiled. Until Molly settles down, it’s survival mode…maybe if she eats more – food, I mean…I hear fat dogs are slower and sleep….oh, that would be so wrong! Thanks for the encouragement. Have a great weekend!
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I’m a good walker. Ha.
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Andra, that’s a PERFECT answer. Love it!
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1) I think my biggest super power is having the patience to deal with a very hyper active husband! Nothing keeps him down for long, not a surgery, or even a heart attack. He’s like the “energizer bunny.”
2) Another one is being at peace with the lives our kids have chosen.
3) I’ve been able to fit in in any community we’ve lived and get involved.
4) I’m a great listener.
Can’t think of any more right now, but I wanted to let you know how much I love the photos on this post!!
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Beth, those are all great superpowers. Practical and accurate. Yeah you!
Glad that you liked those old photos. I thought they were cool– and they worked in so well with my words, too.
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My super power seems to be attracting children. Small children I do not know run up to me on the sidewalk, give me a big hug around my legs, and then run away laughing.
Once I was waiting at a train station and walked by a woman holding a year-old baby. When I was about 50 feet past her I heard a voice calling out. I stopped, turned around and saw the baby’s mother standing right where I had walked past her but the baby was now about 10 feet away from me and walking toward me in that unsteady way that babies do. She had a very determined look on her face. When she got close enough to me to do so she lifted her arms up for me to pick her up. I did and carried her back to her mother. Her mother gave me a scared questioning look as I handed her baby back to her. I just smiled and walked away. Most mother’s don’t believe me when I say kids come up to me all the time with no encouragement on my part..
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la p, that is fascinating. You must give out “safe” vibes to the babies. I don’t think that I’ve ever heard of anyone else having that superpower. Congrats. You’re an original.
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I adore your list and wish I knew you in real life! One of my superpowers is that I have a friendly face and generally love people; I can draw them out and make them feel comfortable. It is sometimes draining for me, but I’m excellent at it.
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Margaret, why thank you! You flatter me.
I like your superpower. It’s a good one to have– especially when teaching a foreign language. Clearly, you got it going on there! 😉
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Creating dinners from the pantry and fridge is my superpower. It might LOOK as if there’s nothing to eat, but suddenly, VOILA!, dinner.
Talking my kids off the ledge of their anger or impulsiveness is my other superpower. And it can be all by text message, too. It might leave me drained and exhausted, but by the time it’s over, all is well.
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nance, those are two valuable superpowers. And now that you mention them I realize that I, too, have the first one: VOILA!, dinner.
The second one though is a tribute to you, your love and your adaptability. Text messaging a kid to keep him safe is a true superpower. I salute you.
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Hard to imagine I have a superpower, other than to create a sandwich from any one meat and two starches. Does not going nuts on people who deserve it a “superpower,” or is that just manners?
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Zen-Den, while your ability to make a sandwich out of anything is amazing, I believe that your superpower is your ability to not go nuts on idiots. I cannot say the same thing for me, so I am in awe of your ability to do so!
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