Super Hero Strengths
Walt Disney Pictures-The Incredibles (image borrowed from the web)
Ever notice that super heroes have their special powers rooted in their bodies? Superman can fly. Aquaman can breathe underwater. Even The Incredibles each possess a spectacular physical ability. And, to save the day, they combine their unique strengths with a moment of inspiration. (see related articles about gifts and inspiration)
Then there's the nemesis. He proves the brilliance of his mind time and again, but uses that power for evil rather than good. In his effort to gain control, he calls upon his personal gifts, and uses them to protect from feeling weak, helpless, and afraid. By feeling powerful, the villain masks his fears.
In retrospect, my gifts long resonated much more strongly with the nemesis than the super hero. Not because I had plans to destroy the world! Rather, my logic, curiosity, and ability to "figure things out" kept me living in my head, not in my body.
Bodies are vulnerable. They absorb information without even realizing it, and as a child, my world was unpredictable enough to seek safety where I could find it. Like Lex Luthor and Syndrome, I turned to my mind for security and control. My powerful survival instinct called upon the resources within me, and kept me away from the feelings of fear and helplessness. Notice, my superpowers didn't keep me from being vulnerable and helpless, but they provided solace when the feelings would otherwise overwhelm me.
We all have a superhero within us, and we are inevitably our own nemesis. As children, we tapped into our unique gifts using them to survive whatever situational trauma we faced. These talents morphed into our greatest defenses in times of perceived need, protecting us from feeling "too much," creating a pattern - a pathway in our neural network.
As adults, the pattern continues until we bring consciousness to our actions. What was once a brilliant course of action for a child, often does not serve the adult. Becoming aware of our unique talents, noticing when we use them as gifts to share, and when we call upon them as defenses to protect, empowers us to choose. And true to our inner superhero, the power of this information usually resides in our bodies.
Similar to the "check engine" light in a car, our bodies offer indicators. When a present day situation triggers a fearful memory, you might hold your breath, feel a knot in the pit your stomach, or feel your bowels turn to water. The brain reacts as though the original threatening memory could hurt us now.
When we haven't updated our beliefs - knowing that true safety comes from within, not from outside of us - we will do as we have always done, employ our gifts as protection, rather than allowing them to support us in blossoming. As a child, when my mom melted from reality into a schizophrenic delusion, I was terrified. For years, when people I cared about checked out, I mirrored the reaction of that terrified child, desperate to bring them back, so that I could feel safe.
Even as I write this, I feel my breaths quickening and becoming shallow with memory. By noticing what's happening in my body, and having curiosity about those sensations, I connect to the present moment. As Prita Manganiello says, "through mindfulness we switch from the 'History' channel to the 'Discovery' channel." With on-going intention, I allow myself to connect with my own body, noticing my indicator lights and updating - choosing to embody my superhero strengths, rather than holding on to my inner nemesis.
Using my gifts to support me, I am filled with compassion for the part of me who needed rescuing; and I appreciate the nemesis within who showed up when I needed to feel safe. I simply don't need that protection any longer. The whole of me can join the ranks of the super heroes, celebrating strengths with inspired joy and unlimited possibilities. I've not done this work alone and it is on-going. With support and gentleness, you too, may embody and manifest your superhero self. I encourage you to use your powers for good - no one is more deserving of them than YOU!
To end this three-segment series, I invite you to watch this video (rated R for language). It's about consciousness, inspiration, and the limitations we transform into contributions.
With mindfulness,
Joanne Lutz