Lessons from Superman - #5

A lot of people ask me why I love Superman so much.  As I've mentioned in my talks, it's because he humbly seeks to do good in the world using the many talents he possesses.  It's something I believe we all should do.  Below is proof from the comics that this is what Superman is all about (and although he says, "I love being me," I see that as a humble confidence.  Something we should all strive to have within us).

"I know it's somewhat immodest to say this, but I love being me!  There's a little ego in that statement, sure--but this isn't about me feeling self-important or better than anybody.  It's about the sheer joy of being able to make a difference in this world.  Of helping people.  Doing the right thing.  Sure, it helps that I'm...what do they like to say?  'More powerful than a locomotive.'  But my true power comes from what my parents taught me: that life lived in compassion, in service to the greater good, is the best of all possible lives."

There you have it.  Wise words from a Superman comic.  The truth is, we can find wisdom in anything.  We just have to look a little harder, dig a little deeper, and find the meaning in things.  In closing, I leave you with one more quote from the Adventures of Superman issue #2.  I often say in my talks that we can all be superheroes.  This quote proves that statement as well.  A man says to Superman:

"The colorful costume, the incredible powers--that's all window dressing!  It's not what you do...it's who you are!  You're the embodiment of the very best in us!  Our inspiration to strive harder and aim higher.  I understand now...in a way I never have before--that we're all...each and every one of us...Superman--if only we'd realize it."

Realize that you are indeed super and you have a worthwhile contribution to our world.  "Up, up, and away" my friends!  :)

"...Don't Congratulate Yourself Too Much..."

I believe one of the greatest songs/speeches I've ever heard is Baz Luhrmann's "Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen."  When I was in eighth grade, I listened to this song every morning before school, and every night before I went to bed.  I found it inspiring and it helped equip me to deal with life's challenges at that time.  The other great thing about this song is that it is relevant to any individual at any given time.  I encourage you to take a listen.  Click on the link below:

Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen

 
I digress.  There's a part in the song where Baz says, "Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either.  Your CHOICES are half chance.  So are everybody else's."  I feel like we are living in an overconfident time in our society.  Granted, having confidence is a good thing and we should strive to be confident, but I believe many of us are "filling ourselves full of hot air" a little too often.  Many of us believe we are invincible.  There are few that believe they are bigger than the earth they stand on.  Let me show you something humbling.  The link below takes you to an app that demonstrates exactly how large our universe is and where we are in comparison.  Take a look:

Scale of the Universe

I don't know about you, but I find this incredibly eye-opening.  It definitely puts things into perspective, showing me just how little of a part I play in the universe.  Let's take note, that the next time we think we're "kind of a big deal," we should remember that we really aren't.  We're humans and we are such a small piece of the bigger picture.  Doesn't mean we shouldn't contribute and make the universe we live in a better place.  It just means we're apart of something, just like everyone else is.

Service in Florida

Exactly two weeks ago, I returned with ten others from a Wartburg College service trip in Florida.  I've been reflecting a lot about my experience with the students these past couple of weeks and felt I should share some of my thoughts.

First and foremost, our trip was spent serving the community of Immakolee, Florida.  Immakolee is located just 45 minutes inland from Naples, Florida.  The drive from Bonita Springs--the community we stayed in--to Immakolee, exhibits night and day differences.  Naples and Bonita Springs are filled with beautiful homes, fancy cars, and a healthy economy, where Immokalee sits occupied, but in poor conditions.  Immokalee has an incredibly high poverty rate as the many citizens who live there work in the fields picking produce throughout the year.

When we arrived, we could definitely see ourselves fulfilling a need.  For a couple of days time, we served at the Guadalupe Center, assisting in the Early Childhood classrooms.  We put up bulletin boards, played with the kids, and assisted where and when needed.  It was fun walking into the classroom a couple of days that week and having the kids run to you shouting, "Mr. TJ!"  For the other part of our stay, we worked with Immokalee's Housing & Family Service organization; an organization striving to provide decent, safe, and affordable rental housing with supportive social and educational services for farm workers and other low-income families.  We worked with one of the main housing complexes called Sanders Pines assisting with gardening, picking-up trash, painting, and installing park benches and picnic tables.  

Overall, it was a busy and hard-working week (one day, I sweat through two complete outfits--disgusting!), but I wouldn't have traded it for the world.  Not only did I really get to know the nine students and one advisor I went with, but I also learned just how important it is to help one another in our own local communities.  Granted, in this instance we were clear across the states assisting a community and developing a partnership, but there are plenty of needs in our own backyards.  We just need to take the time to seek out those opportunities and assist.  

So that's my challenge to you.  Find a time in your schedule to drop what you're doing, reach out, and lend a hand.  It's amazing what you can do in just a short amount of time serving others, and you won't believe how grateful others will feel.  The little things make a HUGE difference.

Holding the sun is a challenge.  :)  This shot was taken on the beach during our last evening in Florida.

Just another shot of that amazing waves-crashing, sunset.

"Look up in the sky..."

"Look up in the sky..." is so much more than a Superman catchphrase.  It's a way of life.  One of the most important things I've learned thus far as a father is that we were born to look up.  We were meant to "keep our chins up" and reach for greatness.  My daughter, Ava, taught me this just a few weeks after she was born.  While cradling her in my arms, day or night, I noticed she was always looking up.  In light or darkness, she was always looking up at me and beyond with her baby blue eyes.  It was a reminder that we should always look to the stars, no matter what.

So, I just want to encourage you to "Look up in the sky..."  It can be a challenge, especially when things aren't going your way.  I've struggled with it a lot.  However, we must remind one another (especially our youth) that we were born to look up, in both times of light and darkness.  We were meant to experience both extremes so that we might learn who we are, what we were made of, and what we can accomplish.  "Look up in the sky..."  Greatness awaits.

Picture of Ava captured just after her baptism by my brother-in-law, Chris Holmes.  One of my favorites.  I love the lessons Ava's taught me thus far and look forward to the many more.  :)

YOU CAN LIVE YOUR DREAM!!!

Need a pick me up?  Watch this video.  Watch it all the way through.  It's tough.  It's a tough one to get through (at least it was for me), but it's worth it.  The Transformers and Man of Steel scores going on in the background certainly make this one an epic listen, but I'm telling you, there are some excellent thoughts shared within in this video.

"Those experiencing hardships...don't give up on your dreams."

"You've invested so much time in them, you don't know who you are.  I challenge you to spend time with yourself."

"It's very important for you to believe...that you are the one."

"For people who are running toward their dreams, life has a special kind of meaning."

"The world will never be same because you came this way!"

"You can live your dream!"

I gotta believe in me...we all got to believe in ourselves.

This is how winning is done.

I've posted this before, and I'll probably post it again.  I think it's important to remember how winning is done.  It's done by moving forward, no matter how tough things get.  "...keep moving forward." ~Rocky

Lessons from Superman - #4

It's been awhile since I've posted anything on lessons I've learned from Superman comics.  This one's kinda fun.

In issue #10 of the Adventures of Superman, a little girl by the name of Connie writes a letter to Superman telling him she's been his "...biggest fan since forever."  She goes on to explain why and all the details align with an epic battle he's having.  "You can fly...you can see through walls...And you never give up, no matter what."  At the end of the battle, Superman makes a pit stop to visit Connie.

"Now of course you all know that there are rules to being a superhero.

Rule #1: You need a costume, preferably with a cape. Done.

Rule #2: You need a codename.  Personally, I like Connie Courageous.

Rule #3: You have to be ready to fly off and have adventures at any time of day or night.

So, are you ready to go?" ~Superman

What's the lesson here you ask?  Well, it seems to me that it's pretty simple to be a superhero.  We just gotta have a costume, a SUPER name, and be willing to take off on an adventure at any point.  So I ask you, "...are you ready to go?"  What will your adventure be today, this week, this month?