Some of you may not know me personally. I am an avid comic book and sci-fi fan. This season, I anxiously awaited the season premiere of The Flash on the CW. I am a sucker for live action super hero stuff. Brief history lesson, Barry Allen was struck by lightning, dosed in chemicals and “radiation” (depends where you read/see his origins). He soon discovered that he was the fastest man alive. In the season premiere of the show, he visits his friend, Oliver Queen aka Green Arrow (a man with no super powers however, fights crime with a bow and arrow).
Barry confides in his good friend that he is not “The Arrow” and what can he do to fight crime in his city. Barry ends his dialogue to Ollie by saying, “What if I am just some guy who was struck by lightning?” This utterance from Barry resonated with me in two ways: how we compare ourselves to others in ways that diminish our higher self and how we play small in the world.
In the gay community, comparison is something very common. On numerous occasions, I have compared myself to other men (gay or straight) by saying they are better looking than me, skinnier than me, taller than me, more muscular than me, have a bigger penis than me, and the list goes on and on. What I have come to realize in my spiritual journey (and something that Ollie said in response to Barry’s query) is that we all have our own innate super power that can make a difference in the world. All of these comparisons are not important anymore when I realize that I can make a difference in the world in my own way. Today, I feel that I have been chosen to be a voice in my community and speak about my metaphysical journey and hopefully inspire others to do the same.
Another thing that came to mind when I heard Barry say this line was Marianne Williamson’s quote about our deepest fear:
” Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
We are all children of God. All of the children of God are special and none of the children of God are special as A Course in Miracles says. Marianne frequently says, “we only have one problem and that is our thoughts of separation.” When I see myself as separate from others, compare myself and play small, I forget who I AM. We are all one as we are spiritual beings having a human experience and too often than not, we forget that. We are all super heroes in our own right and it is our responsibility to let our light shine so that others can do the same. So go out there and be a super hero to others. Namaste.
For anyone who is curious about the segment of the show I have been referring to, here it is: