Evolve U

Use Your Powers for Good

21st August, 2009 - Posted by Shaunice Hawkins - No Comments

Wonder Woman is the greatest superhero that ever lived. 

I know that statement sounds oxymoronic given that she’s a fictional DC Comics superhero, however no one can ever tell me that Wonder Woman (with her super intellect, strength, speed, stamina and flight) isn’t real. 

Now, before you go calling a shrink, hear me out…

As a child growing up in the ’70s, I read all about her in comic books; had seen her on television (portrayed by the incomparable Lynda Carter); played with her action figure and invisible airplane; saw her daily on my backpack, lunchbox, Thermos, Underoos, notebooks, pens, pencils, plate and favorite cup.  I even wore black-framed glasses like her alter-ego, Diana Prince and with a spin, I transformed into her (red boots and all). 

Wonder Woman had been one of the most influential figures in my life.  Her ideals of peace and love were my ideals. Her fight for equality was my fight.  Her resolve for truth was my resolve.  There wasn’t anything that I couldn’t stand against or fight for because, in my mind, I was Wonder Woman.

Today, I still have a little Wonder Woman in me.  Peace, love, truth and equality continues to be the north, south, east and west of my moral compass.  Like Wonder Woman, I know that I can change the world.

Changing the world, of course, doesn’t happen overnight (admittedly, Wonder Woman is thousands of years old and she’s still fighting the good fight) but it does happen.  I think we tend to look at our situations, our lives and the world, see all that’s wrong, get discouraged and do absolutely nothing.  We figure  that we don’t need to get involved because no matter what we do, what we see will remain the same.  However, I think, if we change what we see, then we will begin to see change. 

If we remove the cobwebs from our imagination and dust from our ideals then we can get in touch with the superhero/action figure-influenced memories of our childhood.  We need to believe, as we once did with mask and cape, that neither villain nor foe would prevent us from prevailing. We need to proverbially “be faster than a speeding bullet and leap tall buildings in a single bound” with the same fearless courage it took to run through the house at full speed and jump off the backs of our couches.  We need to believe again that nothing is impossible and that we can do anything once we put our minds to it.  We need to use our powers for good.

Everyone at one point in their lives needs saving.  Whether in physical, psychological, emotional, financial and/or occupational terms, we all, at one time or another, need someone – a good Samaritan, a superhero – to come to the rescue.  The question is: what will you do when the time comes?  Will you step up and “save the day” or will you shrug and say, “I can’t offer any help because I’m not endowed with superhuman strength or lightning speed.”

Ordinary people have the power to do extraordinary things.  Our efforts don’t have to be grandiose or ostentatious, promoted or advertised.  The power of small and random acts of kindness – a smile, hug, phone call/text, a Hallmark card or a visit – can never be overstated.   We can coach Little League, mentor inner city kids, read to the elderly, buy groceries for a disabled neighbor, babysit a job-seeking friend’s kids so that he/she can go on interviews…we can do something, anything to save the day.

It’s time that we look the evils of poverty, despondency and depression right in the eye and (while our cheesy superhero theme music plays in the background) tell them that there’s a new league of superheroes in town and that we’re “kickin’ butt and takin’ names” and that theirs is at the top of the list.  Let’s use our powers for good and save the world together.

For ways to use your power for good, check out these resources.

• 6 Ways You Can Give Back
• Cool Ways to Give Back
• 50+ Ways to Get Your “Give” On
• Find a Charity You Can Trust

 

FINAL THOUGHT
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi