As a kid, I knew I had a superpower, I just had to find it. I anxiously awaited the moment someone would reveal me to be the chosen one. Or, maybe there would be an event that would trigger an unknown ability that evokes marvel and makes the world a better place. Alas, I did not have a big bang moment but a slow awareness. I easily blend with groups. I still think of as a sort of invisibility. I have privy to a broad array of ideas and conversations.
I get to be in rooms, places and conversations where I get behind the scenes. Privy to all these things requires a certain kind of decorum. People will ask questions they really don’t want the answer to. It’s a fine line between when to speak and when to keep quiet. Armed with information and facts, I will ask, do you really want an answer to that, seriously, do you really want the answer? At a neighborhood event, three moms were frustrated that the Indian families at the school didn’t allow their children to participate in social events. They went on for a while with their frustration and then one asked what I thought. Aha, an invitation to respond. I looked at them and said do you really want to know? If you really want to know, I can tell you. They nodded and I replied, “they have told me, they don’t want their children around your children because, and these are their words ” the Caucasian children do the drugs.” All three then turned away sheepishly, each with the knowledge their high schooler uses or has used Cannabis, Molly or Mushrooms.
With power comes responsibility and I know I need to use my powers for good. Information is power. As I have said before, I don’t offer unless asked and even then it’s still a measured response. The common analogy for this one, when children ask where do babies come from, your answer is going to depend on the age and sophistication of the child, what’s appropriate? What’s going to resonate versus an idea that will be rejected. While the idea of a measured response sounds simple, a day if mentally editing what to say and when to say it can take it’s toll. The holiday season and this time of worldwide political turmoil is mentally exhausting. In superpower terms, it’s kryptonite. How far can you bend without breaking? Do you feel a little out of sorts, irritable, ready to crawl under a blanket? Just a reminder, take time to recharge and refresh. This week, consider what that means for you.
Balancing on Unstable Surfaces 