Last few months, Lily, my 3.5-year-old, has been really into superheroes and superpowers, which got me thinking a lot about superheroes, what makes them superheroes, and what I want Lily to learn from them. I had a notion of what I wanted to tell her about superheroes and superpowers, and it was that what makes them superheroes isn’t that they have superpowers but that they use whatever power they have and do their best. Basically, anyone can be a superhero if they use all their strengths, talent and bring their true self into the world. Unfortunately, without cool web shooters, she isn’t really buy into it, so I’m still working on it.

Surprisingly, it’s not the first time I’ve spent time thinking about superheroes. For years, I’ve been jotting ideas and tidbits about a book that maybe I’ll write one day.

The Superhero Guidebook, and it starts like this:

They never tell you the real story. One day you’re bitten by a spider, and the next day you’re climbing on walls and saving the world. Don’t believe movies; it’s not how it works. I know because it didn’t work for me, or any other superhero I know. 

You know why you don’t hear of more superheroes? It’s not because superheroes are rare, but because 99% of them kill themselves with their new powers within 24 hours.  

I interviewed 500 successful superheroes and this is what I learned...

Now I’m listening to the Leader’s Journey by Donna Lichaw, which leans heavily on superheroes and superpowers as a metaphor, analogy and perspective through which to look at your own path, achievements, and mission, And, finally, the last piece fell into place for me.

The reason we don’t hear about superheroes is not because they die quickly; it’s because they are afraid they will if they use their superpowers. 

The reason I am not a superhero is not because I don’t have superpowers. It's because they only become super if you use them. And Lily despite not knowing it, is a superhero.

Today, I’m the kid that got bitten by a spider and instead of becoming Spider-Man, bought into the idea that I might die if I use my superpowers. I hide, I make excuses. I even feel guilty about my superpowers. I shoot a web every once in a while, but I never climb a wall. 

No more. Today, I’m going to be a superhero.