Super Heroes to Super Powers

Super Heroes

In my world Superman was one of the most powerful characters who fanned my imagination. He could fly. I imagined the freedom of being able to fly and reach the stars whenever I wanted. As a young child, I would lay on the ground imagining sleeping on the clouds. If only I had a cape that would help me.

Superman had so much physical power. He helped rid the world of evil thereby securing the earth as a better place. I believe part of my life's work has been helping the world become a better place. When I look back over my work, the causes I was involved in I know I wanted better for those who came after me.

Superman lived in an alternate world known as Krypton which fanned my dreams. Much as Jesus living in an alternate world with G*d the father in heaven left me curious. To this day I grapple with my relationship with Jesus the man and G*d the father. Heaven, earth and hell.

Superman showing up in this world as Clark Kent and being seen in this way through his powers of invisibility was amazing. Oh, how many times I wished I could be invisible. As I walk the WW (weight watchers) journey, I often grapple with wanting to be invisible as it too is a painful a journey in lots of ways.

Other superheroes showed up in my life. Those who lived on planet earth, yet on a television screen. They made an impact and shaped my life. One of those was Charles Ingalls (Michael Landon) who was the father of 1/2 pint (Laura) on Little House on the Prairie. The Waltons played a key role as well. My friend Ruth would say they kept my spirit of being excessively cheerful or being such an optimistic person alive. Often referred to as the Pollyanna syndrome. I love my pollyanna point of view. Ruth maybe not so much.

Finally, there were real live human beings who shaped my life. Like Ruth and Raymond Russell, the parents of my childhood best friend. Their focus on living a life which reflected their Christian values impacted me greatly and I will be forever grateful for that.

Life saw me grow up and live in many alternate worlds within my own psyche. I split my inner self in ways that kept me safe and allowed me to grow and be part of the world yet separate at the same time. My healing journey would see me integrate all these splits over time. I live a fully integrated life at this point in my journey.

During the early times of being integrated I went to an Acting It Out group on Superheroes and the superpowers that come with them. Each of us in the group were to choose our own superhero. Awkward as it was, I chose myself as my own superhero with my own superpowers. I wanted to be true to myself and all the work of integrating. I am proud of this moment of standing in my own truth. Owning my own superpowers.

My next set of blogs will contain information on the superpowers I have. The skills I have developed over time as I healed my life and grew into my own being. I hope some of my superpowers will be helpful to you. I will also talk about other superpowers I have learned that are not part of what enhances my life. Powers that may enhance your life. If you use them.

One of the earliest skills or superpowers I have learned and embraced was breathing. Breathing in a way that helps my nervous system. Dr. Joanne Bihari gifted me with this skill. She taught me 4-7-8 breathing. What she asked me to do was to exhale through my mouth making a whoosh sound. Allowing all the air to leave my body. Then I was asked to breath in to a count of four. Hold my breath to a count of seven. Breathe out to a count of eight making the whoosh sound. Starting over once again. This kind of breathing has helped me calm my nervous system and has been invaluable to my ongoing journey. Practicing with someone who could see me, hear me and treat me like I matter was priceless.

Sometimes I have been unable to do 4-7-8 and I changed it to 5-7-8. I did what worked. Breathing out longer than I was breathing in. I practice this often.

I was also taught box breathing. Breathing out to count of 4; breathing in count of 4, holding count of 4 and then out once again to count of 4.

If one were to do a search on the Internet there are all kinds of breathing techniques that may help. I hope you explore and find a breathing technique that works for you. I hope you embrace your superpower of breathing!

Life is so much better as I embrace my own superpowers. Using my skills consistently enhances my life and values of living through the lens of love. They allow power and control of my life's journey to be in my hands. Such a gift!