Authenticity, Get Good At It!

"This is who we are. Accept it. Or better yet, enjoy it." - HUMAN TORCH

CS Challenge:

Superheroes, when was the last time you did something that was truly authentic to yourself?  I often catch myself acting or presenting myself in a certain way because it is what I think is expected of me.  In moments like these, I try to acknowledge the ridiculousness of it all, smile to myself, and then do something that really makes my heart sing.  It might be something silly like sticking out my tongue and making a sound or something more intentional like greeting the very next person I see on the sidewalk.  Either way, if you ever find yourself being anything other than who you are, practice recognizing it and break the cycle by striving for something a little more authentic.  The power of being authentic to one's self is a power much stronger than being anything else.  Be who you are...and GET GOOD AT IT!  

In the words of another citizen superhero, Abraham Lincoln, “Whatever you are, be a good one.”

Practice and Feel Strength,

CS

Superhero Wisdom of the Week

"Greed is the purest motivation— the others tend to get sticky with complications." - MIDNIGHT MAN

CS CHALLENGE:
Superheroes, it is important to know what you want in life and to be intentional about it.  The power of your intentions is so clean and strong that it can become all-consuming and damaging unless harnessed, respected and given your focus.  Be careful what you wish for and take only as much as you need, so that the need does not become greed.

Good luck!

-Citizen Superhero

CS ALERT: The Charles Schulz Philosophy

This is the personal philosophy of the late Charles Schulz, creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip and fellow citizen superhero.  It is a true testament to his amazing superpower for making others see joy in the world and greatness in themselves.  You don't have to answer the questions. Just ponder on them...

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world
2. Name the last five World Cup winners
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss UK pageant
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel Prize
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress
6. Name the last decade's worth of Wimbledon winners

How did you do?

The point is none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
These are no second-rate achievers.
They are the best in their fields.
…and…
Applause dies
Awards tarnish
Achievements are forgotten
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the
most credentials, the most money...or the most awards. They simply are the ones who
care the most!

'Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. 'It's already tomorrow in Australia!'

''Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!"

Superhero Wisdom of the Week

"If a man ceases to exist -- how long will his memory survive him?" - IRON FIST

CS CHALLENGE:
Superheroes, how will you be remembered?  As kind, compassionate, forgiving, wise, loving?  Or perhaps stubborn, spiteful, or self-righteous?  Your path is your own and your life is the impression you make.  When you can no longer be responsible for your actions, make decisions on an everyday basis or affect the world around you, what would you wish that the world remembers about you?  Whoever that is, become that person, embody their spirit and know with conviction that your path is right and good.

So, how do you want to be remembered?  Dare to be great.

-Citizen Superhero

Superhero Wisdom of the Week

"Life's full of questions, isn't it...Though, I prefer to think of them as riddles." - THE RIDDLER

CS CHALLENGE:
As superheroes, we welcome a challenge because we understand that it is the challenges that make us stronger, smarter and wiser.  Depending upon what the obstacle is, however, we may be welcoming to some more than others.  Because we must face what we fear and always strive to do the difficult things to bring about change in ourselves and our surroundings, perhaps we should consider that it is not the weight of the challenge that makes us the greater for facing it, but the way in which we choose to perceive it that matters most.

Be well and challenge yourself,
-Citizen Superhero

Superhero Wisdom of the Week

“Ever wish we could be...ordinary people with ordinary problems? I know it’s silly because we’re not ordinary and our lives are complicated by extraordinary circumstances.” - DOMINO

CS CHALLENGE:

Superheroes, dare to be extraordinary!

Have a powerful week,

-Citizen Superhero

Superhero Wisdom of the Week

"Everyone's got a role for me...But what about how I define myself? What I want my life to be about? And allowing myself the chance to succeed or fail at it." - FIRESTAR

Be your best self, superheroes...as often as you can.  Be well.

-Citizen Superhero

Superhero Wisdom of the Week

"All we have is this moment...We have to grab each moment, and take it for everything it's worth. Then grab the next." - THE QUESTION

CS Challenge:
How much are you living your life in the moment? The past, though a memory, wouldn't serve unless we decided to learn from it.  The future, though eventual, is completely contingent on what you do in your present and does not have to be your current destination.  Try making NOW your destination.  Make right now count.  Do something that makes you feel strong or productive or increases knowledge and understanding or makes you feel loved or helps another know how much you appreciate them.  Do not wait another minute to take advantage of the beautiful power of a single moment...because moments are all we have right now.

Be well superheroes,
Citizen Superhero

Superhero Wisdom of the Week

"We didn't choose to be what we are. And it could be argued that this life chose us. We live it. With all its changes and challenges. Obstacles. Disappointments. Failures. Its successes. Its joys." - WONDER GIRL

Superhero Wisdom of the Week

"The only key to living forever - is not being forgotten." - GREEN LANTERN (GG)

Superhero Wisdom of the Week

“The greatest gift we can receive is to have the chance, just once in our lives, to make a difference.” – DR. STRANGE

Today could be the day, superheroes...

- Citizen Superhero

Superhero Wisdom of the Week

"I have no idea where I'm going to be tomorrow, but I accept the fact that tomorrow will come and I'm going to rise and meet it." - WONDER GIRL

CS ACTION ALERT: MY HERO PROJECT

Click on the link above to visit myhero.com and find out how to pay tribute to those who have served as life superheroes for you.  This is an amazing resource for those of us to give homage to those individuals who have so greatly influenced and strengthened us through their words and actions.

Superhero Wisdom of the Week

"Experience teaches slowly. And at a cost of many mistakes." -BATMAN

Superhero Wisdom of the Week

"I'm the sum of so many people who have influenced me, shaped my thinking, and given me love." -NIGHTWING

Superhero Wisdom of the Week:

"We are never everything we wish to be and rarely are we everything we appear to be."

 -WONDER WOMAN

Superhero Wisdom of the Week:

"Life doesn't give us purpose. We give life purpose." - THE FLASH

The most fundamental question (to a fault) that we have pondered endlessly, searching for its solution is: "What is the meaning of life?" We do this as though there is just one realization that will arrive with a BOOMING voice and in a moment of total clarity: "To fulfill life, all I need to do is this" or "As long as I follow these directions, I will be ok."  The irony is that the answer is much simpler than we think, but, like one of The Riddler's perplexing riddles, the solution can sometimes be within the question itself.  It is a question that pertains to everyone, though each answer can only be found by the individual.  


In the end, superheroes, no meaning is attached to our lives until we attach it.  The energy put in will directly motivate the energy received.  The part that is hardest to hear, and the reason why it is not so written in stone, is that because it is your life, it is also your choice.  The fact that we can or need to choose in order for our lives to make sense is often a difficult thing for many to embrace.  That is why searching for this answer by reading and deciphering ancient and religious texts or consulting those who are older, wiser, or more experienced are all pursuits (though incredibly noble and impressive and certainly bound to provide interesting experiences and other insights) will in the end, most likely produce a similar outcome: If your purpose is to search, then that will become the purpose of your life.  Thus, our purpose in life is...to give purpose to our life.

Superhero Wisdom of the Week:

"We've wasted so much time on things that DON'T MATTER!... but love's the only thing in life that has any real meaning! Everything else...might as well be a dream!"  

- ICEMAN