The world feels out of control these days, doesn’t it? The anger, the division, the confusion — it all leaves me feel frustrated and helpless. Talking about it — with anyone, no matter how safe or similar they are — sure doesn’t seem to help. Nothing really does. Even eating a pile of Reese’s peanut butter cups.
I was thinking about this tonight. I put it off as long as possible, but I couldn’t avoid looking at the primary results forever. Once I turned my laptop and TV back on, I wasn’t surprised to wish I hadn’t eaten the last of the candy.
Fortunately I have other, less-fattening vices — namely reading and watching TV. And lately I’ve been reading and watching lots of stories about so-called regular people discovering they have special powers. Sure, sure, these stories follow pretty much the same plot points and once you’ve read or watched enough, a lot of them become predictable. But that does not stop me from eating them up.
Superheroes. Paranormal creatures [the good kind, not the bad ones]. Aliens. Demon slayers. Fairy tale characters who remember their stories.
Yup. I love them all. And on days like today — whether it’s an election or a diagnosis or a lost job or a broken relationship — I sure wish I had some superpowers of my own.
That’s what I was thinking about tonight. And then I remembered: I do have a superpower!
My superpower is spelling. Yep. I’m a really good speller. I mean, really good. [Look, I didn’t say modesty was my superpower!] And, sure, maybe this isn’t a power that comes in handy every day [That’s a lie. It totally does. Spelling is important, kids!], but it’s what I have.
How about you? Maybe spelling isn’t your thing [or maybe it is? High five, fellow nerd!], but SOMETHING is. What are you good at — I mean, REALLY good — that most people aren’t? What’s YOUR superpower?
I know we can’t just bury our heads in chocolate and Once Upon a Time marathons when the world feels dark. But maybe just for a minute today, we could put on our capes and remember that we’re not completely powerless? Having superpowers works for me.
What is your superpower?
Also – for more [deeper] encouragement, please don’t miss Lisa-Jo’s post about what to do when you feel like the world is sinking and Jesus is asleep.
If this is your first time linking up with WFMW here, PLEASE read the guidelines I shared in this post. Highlights include linking your specific post, not the front page of your blog, and making sure to include a link back to this site in your WFMW. Thank you!!
Was going to join in, but it says the linky is closed already. :( How long is the WFMW linky open, so I’ll know next time? Thanks!!
Sorry, Brandi. Obviously hosting a linkup is NOT my superpower!! :) I hadn’t updated the linky, so it showed last week’s. Each week’s WFMW goes live on Tuesday night and is open for a week. The right one is open now!!
Sorry – just noticed right above the link up that it was for March 9th. Thought the post said March 15th at first. So nevermind. ;)
Thanks for responding Mary. :) Hmmm, not sure if I should pick punctuality or clean freak as my super power, ;)
I like it :) Did you ever read The Catcher in the Rye? The kid talks about how all the “boring” guys who get the girls might secretly be really great whistlers… he he… For some reason that’s always stuck with me!! My super power? I make some killer scones. :)
My superpower is being extremely attuned to details. I had several proofreading jobs before getting into data management–I keep track of a bunch of numbers for a large research study and write algorithms to turn the questions we asked into single variables representing big concepts.
Have you read My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry? Great story about superpowers and the overwhelming power of love! I reviewed it here.
Thanks for the encouragement from Lisa-Jo’s post! It’s a simple but crucial reminder.
Hi Mary!
OH my gosh, Mary! I can’t think of any superpowers that I have. Is that a bad thing? Oh, wait! I can cook a mean ham…better than most. Does that count? :o)
So glad the correct link up finally went up. Don’t feel bad about it – how many superpowers can a gal have? :o)
Thanks for another great link party!
Have a blessed week!
Tififney
Wow what a great question Mary! As a fan of all things superhero, I never really thought about what my super power is. Maybe since my favorite is Batman who has none. This is my first visit to your site. I really like what you are doing here. Anybody that loves God, recess peanut butter cups, and Once upon a time is someone I can definitely relate to! Thanks for allowing me to share here. Have a wonderful week and may God continue to bless you and yours!
Awesome question! My superpower is working with numbers, something I discovered about myself only in the last 2 years! My part-time job is mostly accounting, bank reconciliation, accounts payable and receivable. As my boss puts it, “All the stuff no one else wants to do.” Even though you say it’s not your super power, thanks for hosting this Link Party I look forward to it every week!
My superpower is to drink wine. Not sure if that’s a good thing. But hey, if it helps me cope with all the life hurts thrown my way, illy take it.
My superpower is that I can read extremely quickly, and it’s no problem for me to read several books at once. Even after years of marriage my husband is still amazed by how quickly I’ll polish off a book (or two or three). I was a middle and high school English teacher before I became a stay at home mom, so that ability came in handy. I love to read and it’s fun to be able to use my superpowers. :)