“I’m a Boilermaker. What’s your superpower?” Sticker on the back of a truck in front of me on my way to work. (Make no mistake: after I was a week without a boiler this past February, I do indeed believe that those who can fix/install boilers have superpowers.)
And yes, despite having a complex job and an incredibly busy day, that bumper sticker was stuck in my brain for some reason.
Later this evening, T. came home from sports upset after a small fight with his friend and feeling conflicted: he is angry with his friend but doesn’t know how to reconcile that emotion with their friendship. Which, in fairness, is not-easy-big-emotion stuff for most adults – let alone a 6 year old!
Forgiving a misunderstanding is a hero-level superpower. Which I told him (which means it’s okay if he’s not quite ready to do that yet.) Because, well, superpowers were on my mind.
Humans are amazing. We often take for granted our everyday superpowers: compassion, creativity, patience, love, generosity, intuition, problem-solving, finding the light in the darkness. And many have others that are truly unique – like boiler repair.
What’s your superpower? Immediately, I imagine many of you have some funny and self-deprecating answers. But think about it for a second, what are your superpowers?
T. asked me what his other superpowers were tonight. I said that as he grows up, we’ll find out. You get more as you get older. He suddenly looks like it all makes sense. “Ah”, he says, “Like Grandma – she can do things you can’t”. With that, he considers the matter entirely closed and the question fully answered. (I now have questions about my mother’s superpowers?)
Want the science? It’s not just an abstract or fanciful notion. Research shows that identifying one’s strengths is an essential part of positive psychology.
“What are 3 of your strengths?” is that classical and painful interview question. But “What are your superpowers?” – Ah, now, that boilermaker was on to something this morning.
#lifestylemedicine #positivepsychology #strengths #superpowers
0 Comments