I love comic book heroes. Ever since I was a kid, I’d watch their cartoons. I shouted with glee when I discovered Spiderman’s new black symbiotic costume, and I was on the edge of my seat when Superman took on Darkseid. It was always so action-packed that my little-kid brain just ate it up.
However, as exciting as it was to watch my favorite superheroes kick some villain tail, I realized that there were more to the heroes than just them knocking people out in tights. Whether they resided on Earth or in a secluded home base, they each had lives that somewhat related to our own.
Here’s some life lessons that I’m sure we’ve all learned from watching heroes take on evil:
Popularity is a double-edged sword
I’ve learned that word gets around when you’re a superhero (Did you think nobody would notice the skyscraper you used to pummel that guy into the ground?). There were times when the crowd loved and worshiped you. No harm in that right? But somehow a few days later there would be papers coming out across thousands of newsstands claiming that you’re only out for your own self interest.This is what every superhero has to deal with. Though they were hailed as the saviors of the innocent and the upholders of truth and justice, they were not loved by all.
The fact is that when you climb the ladder of success, whether you get there by doing what you love or by just doing your job exceptionally well, there will always be those who envy you and try to alienate you.
It’s not always easy to make the right decision
Go out on your first date in months (due to the risk of your lover being kidnapped by your archnemesis) or go save the day? This was just one of the tough decisions that superheroes had to face. As a superhero, when pitting your own feelings versus the right thing to do, you had no choice but to choose righteousness. When Spiderman had to fight and indirectly kill the Green Goblin (his best friend’s father) you can bet that it had some heavy mental consequences. Just as in our lives, it’s tough to put others before ourselves, because at times we get a little selfish.
There are going to be times when the right choice may seem like the only choice. Whatever the consequences, we’ll have to move on from them and forge ahead.
“With great power, comes great responsibility.”
This quote repeatedly stands the test of time as one of the most referred-to superhero quotes I know. And what really makes this quote unique is that it wasn’t even made by a superhero (Spiderman, in case you’ve been living under a rock for the past 40-something years). It was given by Spiderman/Peter Parker’s father-figure and mentor, Uncle Ben. Even though he was just a normal person, he gave Peter advice that would be with him throughout his entire crime-fighting career.
This statement rings true for all of us. The more influence we have in life, the more responsibility we should practice in order to remain honorable. Cheating, stealing, and lying? Out of the question. Unless you want to lose that influence, act accordingly.
Bonus: Women can kick just as much ass as men
I just wanted to add this because when we think of the word “superhero”, we picture a muscular hunk in tight spandex. Over time, however, we’ve witnessed heroines save the day and change the way superheroes are portrayed in society. Wonder Woman isn’t a national superwoman icon for nothing. She took out the bad guys and looked good doing it too. Her image reflects on the woman of today’s society. When push comes to shove, women can work hard and sweat hard.
As you can see, superheroes aren’t all that different from us (save for the powers). We share some of the same daunting tasks as they struggled through. But there is one important difference. Superheroes never gave up. Only when they’ve exhausted all other avenues of fighting back could they truly be satisfied with laying down the mask. So I ask you, are you the superhero in your life? Have you done all you can? Do you care when you are badgered by the public for doing the right thing? And when faced with your archfoe (unproductivity, tardiness, whatever it may be), do you submit?
“While no one is expected to leap tall buildings in a single bound, our aspiring heroes will be tested on their courage, integrity, self-sacrifice, compassion and resourcefulness – the stuff of all true superheroes.” – Stan Lee
———–
If you liked this post, please share it on Twitter, Digg, StumbleUpon, or Facebook. It’ll do the both of us a world of good. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter.
Want more thought-provoking articles like this? Subscribe for FREE email notifications.
John
I think you hit the nail on the head when you said ‘superheroes never give up’ and that’s what makes all this personal development stuff worthwhile.
A good analogy to the human condition, thanks for sharing your comic book passion.
I’m not a comic book geek, but I just love superheroes. I grew up reading and watching their adventures and the stories they had felt so realistic yet unbelievable. Yeah, maybe its sort of childish, but I’ll always love ‘em.
Thanks for understanding where I’m coming from, Steven.
wow…great minds. i just did a blog called “who will save the hero.”
I love this article, it was something totally out of the blue and very interesting!
Well done and I love your originality
Good article, John.
Know what you mean. I’ve suffered many trials and tribulations as a superhero, and think of the good and bad aspects of superherohood as the green and grey.
Cheers, GG.
@ tinesha
Oh yes. Great minds most certainly do think alike
@Kirsty
I was in a superhero mood that day. I felt like saving the world with words.
@Greenygrey
In this world we are either superheroes, villians, or just sidekicks. Which one you become depends on how the world deals with you and, more importantly, how you deal with the world.
Very clever and well written post. My favorite of your quotes was “With great power comes great responsibility.” AS personal development bloggers we more or less fall into the category of self proclaimed personal development gurus and that means we have great responsibility to our readers
. Looking forward to more of your pots.
You got that right John ! Popularity does come up with a double-edged sword.
I’d like to quote this excerpt out of Felix Dennis’s new book which I covered on my blog :
“You must grow a mental armor. Not so thick as to blind you to well-constructed criticism and advice, especially from those you trust. Nor so thick as to cut you off from friends and family. But thick enough to shrug off the inevitable sniggering and malicious mockery that will follow your inevitable failures, not to mention the poorly hidden envy that will accompany your eventual success.”
You will make enemies and many not-so-true friends on your way to success. So don’t worry because you can’t keep everyone happy.
@Srinivas You’re right. When we gain an audience, we owe it to them to give back value.
@Talha Great quote! Most of us don’t have strong mental armor, so it needs to be reinforced by those who stand behind us on whatever path we take.
Points well taken. Also with great wisdom comes great responsibility. And those who have much are required to give more in my book. Great article.
@ Tess I couldn’t agree with you more
@ Dayne Thanks for the compliments. You know you guys should start thinking of yourselves as superheroes. Maybe you could be Happyman and Tess could be Bold Woman… ha ha just a thought. You guys inspire people with your writing and you’re saving them from a life of boredom.
Very nice post, great points and analogies. It got me to thinking, that in life, the real superheros to me are the ones who motivate, inspire, or invoke others to be better human beings.
Thanks for the great info and you have a really nice blog John!
I would think the hardest thing about being a superhero would be the self control. For those who are strong, you could never bear hug someone without killing them. Having a nightmare and lashing out could wreck a room. Everyone looses control sometimes, but when a superhero looses control a lot more damage is done. I would also think the weight of secrecy would cause a lot of mental and emotional stress.
Hey Jessica, haven’t thought about that one. ha ha yeah I agree with you on the danger of a super tantrum or super love for hugging
This teaches us that though we aren’t super heroes, we should practice self control sometimes and reflect how we affect other people. Thanks for your thoughts!
About a year ago I was homeless. While staying with friends I found myself watching the ENTIRE Dragonball series all the way to the final episode of DBZ GT.
Why? Because the the main character, Goku, was the epitome of what I needed in my own life then – strength and the courage to never quit, to always keep fighting until I find a way to win!
The people that say you learn nothing from cartoons/comics have obviously never read one worth the title. Thanks John for sharing; great post!
No problem. One of my closest friends used to love DBZ GT – according to him it got to out of control. The power levels kept going up he said. And I agree that comics have a lot of wisdom behind they’re great stories. You just have to have the patience to read one and stop caring what people may say about comics and those who love them.