Heroic: A Quick Reminder About Greatness.

Someone who is brave is someone who knows what they’re up against but does it anyway. Bravery is the characteristic all Superheroes possess. They don’t necessarily seek danger, but they know it’s there and hit it head-on. It’s what they’re wired to do. It’s innate, intrinsic, natural, and essential. They are brave, emphasizing the ‘b.’

Many people I know plunge headlong into doom every day—sans cape, shield, or super-duper underwear. These people are also brave, emphasizing the ‘b.’ It’s just that their bravery looks different from that of regular caped crusaders.

Sometimes, their ‘b’ is turned around and is a ‘d’ — d for depression. At times, their heroism is a ‘d’ that is cut down to an ‘a’ — for anxiety. This doesn’t mean they’re any less heroic.

Facing something every minute, every second, of every day, knowing it’s there, knowing that the outcome may not change, and doing it anyway is heroic. That is the definition of bravery and the characteristic of a Superhero. It is strength, unyielding, and tough — just like every person I know who has depression and anxiety.

However, most of the d’s and a’s I know also feel broken and overwhelmed, me included. We work so hard to change, fix, or sway this thing that makes us view the world differently. Why? We were told that our differences were too great and that our otherworldliness was strange.

That’s the lie and our Kryptonite!

Our “weirdness” makes us philosophers, poets, musicians, artists, and writers. How can what brings so much creativity, exhilaration, celebration, beauty, invention, and perspective be wrong?

Why do we seek an explanation — look for that secret ingredient that will fix us and make us — less brave, less intrinsic, and less heroic?

When Clark Kent discovered he was different from everybody else, did he crawl into his ice cave and wait for his life to be over? No. He embraced it.

Clark Kent didn’t get smaller. He got bigger and did it while donning Lycra Long Johns. He zipped up his swanky boots and swung on a cape. Hell, he even ensured his underwear was emblazoned with an ‘s’ to tell the world he was SUPER.

His difference made him incredible. It is what makes people who struggle with brain health issues—whatever they may be—incredible, too.

I’m not saying quit your medicine or fire your therapist. I’m saying you are who you are, wherever and however you are right now, and still, you’re great! Don’t change this, embrace it! Stay SUPER! We need you!

*This was originally published on October 12, 2022. Minor changes have been made.