Power Up!

I was standing in front of the mirror tonight getting ready to go out. I looked at my reflection long and hard. I asked myself "Who are you?" my humor engaged and my answer was "I am number five.".
I've always loved superhero movies. The good guys get to blow stuff up with their mind, turn invisible, Run with super speed, you name it! When I was a kid I would pray to Heavenly Father, and beg for super powers. I promised and promised and swore cross my heart hope to die, that I would never ever flip to the bad guys side. I would only use my powers for good things. To help people who needed it.
When I was 13 I got the answer to that prayer. The very first words of my patriarchal blessing. "You are a special person"
Everybody I've ever talked to describes me as "The Nice Guy" and who wants that right? I'll take adjectives like funny, energetic, or random before I'd settle for "nice". My parents and grandparents have drilled into my head that I need to treat others how I want to be treated. If I was having a bad day, I'd want someone to talk to. If I was sick in bed, I'd want someone to come visit me. Or if I felt upset about myself, I'd want someone to pick me up, so that's what I do... In fact I make it a point to put myself in others shoes and act from there. I believe there are no such things as bad people, only good people doing bad things. One of the most influential friends in my life has been in jail, drinks regularly, and has a mouth that would make a sailor blush. His humor is unrivaled. His confidence is my inspiration. He told me once when he was very drunk "People are like campsites, you always want to leave them better than you found them."
A girl I dated was a single mom. The kid's punk father bailed out on her as soon as she told him that she was expecting. She is the strongest person I've ever met. One time when I was playing with her kid, she asked me "what is wrong with me, that would make him leave?"
A hard question.
Where am I going with this? We ALL have superpowers. Our own strengths. As we grow up we experience changes, and we discover these awesome gifts we have. Superpowers like laughter, personality, spunk, character, creativity, honesty, and virtue. These are some claws that will make Wolverine look like a house kitty. You have them. All of them. You are the combination of every comic book rolled up into a celestial, beautiful package.
But as all superheroes do, we have our weaknesses. Our kryptonite. And that is self doubt. Don't give in. Stay away from THAT dark side. Sure you'll get a red light-saber, but it's not worth it. I tell you what I told that girl. "The only thing wrong with you, is that you think something is wrong with you." be strong. Make this world a place that you want your kids to be in. A place you WANT to be in. Change the world by being you. Reach out. Be there. Visit them. Call them. Cheer them up. Don't just learn names, learn people. And when you do your telepathy will be able to make people smile a million miles away.
Power up! :)
RSM