Superman is undoubtedly a legend, but what makes the story of Superman so intriguing is not the super-human capabilities such as laser eyes, x-ray vision, super strength or even flying. The unshakable integrity, and flawless character of our hero is what makes him transcend mankind.The hope that it is possible for any of us, or all of us, to adopt these characteristics and be average Joe-Heroes is the real key to the Superman legacy.
Christopher Reeve would tell you, just as any fine actor would, that in order to have a world-class performance you must eat, breathe, and live the role of the character. It follows that the late Christopher Reeves had to spend quite some time analyzing, dissecting, and adopting the character traits of Clark Kent and Superman alike.
In my eyes this makes him a very qualified person to tell us about how any of us, with the right paradigm, can surpass even the highest standards of humanity.
- "Don't give up. Don't lose hope. Don't sell out.
It's easy to think of an idea; it's harder to take action on it. It's harder still to not give up in the face of impediments. The same could be said for our identity, and the forthrightness with which we carry ourselves. You see that our identity, and our self-assurance are key elements in having high self-esteem. - "When you sell your identity, by selling out your morals and beliefs, you lose the ability to feel good about yourself."
And for what? A couple of bucks at a higher paying job that will buy you another model car, or a bigger house? When you think about it, you absolutely owe it to yourself to give it all you have and give your dying breath for what you believe in. - "Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean."
If we never leave kindergarten we'll never graduate. In the very same way if we stay inside our comfort zones, and never venture out into our personal deep water or uncharted territory, we will never exercise our abilities to grow, flourish, and achieve.
Do a couple of extra push-ups, ask her on a date even if she says no, ask your boss for a raise, buy the instrument and play it daily, or learn the language you've always romanticized about. Whatever it is for you that will push your talents, skills, and character traits to a level you have never been at will turn you into average Joe-winner. - "At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable."
That's the most scintillating description of how our mind turns ideas into actions when we focus on what we want; whatever we think about expands. By consistently entertaining the thoughts of our dreams becoming reality, we are using the law of attraction to create opportunities.
The opportunities won't necessarily be created, but they'll become more apparent. In the same way as when you buy a new car, you see everyone and their dog driving that same brand of car on the street. You no longer filter out those opportunities and they become flagrantly apparent. You either grab them, or grow your skills and resources and then grab them, but you do it all the same. Focus on what you want and don't give up. - "To be able to feel the lightest touch really is a gift."
One day changed Christopher Reeves' life forever. When he was out horse back riding, he fell off the horse, and became a paraplegic from the neck down. He couldn't move his body much, but he could still feel, and he somehow found it within himself to take pleasure, and appreciate, even the lightest touch.
In our own lives we take many things for granted, like our eyes, our ears, and our ability to walk. By taking a moment to become conscious of our bodily functions, to look at them as a gift, and to show unprecedented appreciation for their function, we can open up a new realm of possibilities for our character. One where we also appreciate other people, and lead people by example, and show them this new realm of living life awesome. - "You've got to give more than you take."
If you look at this world from the eyes of a taker you're going to have a miserable life. All the riches in the world, all the fame and power, and all the sights your eyes can lay eyes on will never be enough if you are a taker. As a taker it is your JOB to set new goals for acquiring more whenever you reach a check point. It is your CURSE that you will always feel empty, except for tiny insignificant split moments of goal attainment which last only until that next goal is made in the next instant.
If you look at this world from the eyes of a giver you're going to have a miraculous life. Each time you give a piece of your self, your time, and your resources you will feel the love pass from yourself to the other individual. All people will be a tool for you to experience pleasure, because you will always have an opportunity to give to them. The moments of pleasure will not be wavering, but will last as you think back upon the smile that you caused on the face of another. - "Even though I don't personally believe in the Lord, I try to behave as though He was watching."
This is part of a gift that Judaism made to the world. The gift of monotheism. Although it's clear that not everyone believes in G-d, and not in the Jewish paradigm of what G-d is, we can safely say that the idea of monotheism is a prominent one. If nothing else it allows for the sense of morals, an intuition of what's right and wrong, and the sense of responsibility to keep oneself accountable in the eyes of a higher power.
When a person is operating from a place of "He is watching" the person has a large incentive to improve upon himself, his relationship with other people, and his relationship with the world. That's something that can be accomplished by any Average Joe-Superman. - "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."
In the movie Superman had special powers, but that's not what made him a super hero. If you remember, in one of the movies there were three other Super-people from his planet, and they all possessed superhuman abilities. However, they were no Supermen. Despite being able to fly and throw buses around they lacked the Superhuman compassion and empathy that Superman possessed.
That which they missed, and that which Superman possessed is conveniently available to all of us. Placed at our fingertips and available at our whim, we have the ability to be average people that do extraordinary things. By loving ourselves wholly, loving our neighbors as we love ourselves, and exceeding even our highest expectations of how a moral human being should conduct himself we are able to access the Superman within us.
