Issue 16: Finding the Hero Within

I recall watching Wonder Woman 1984 not so long ago; as well as feeling nostalgic about the fashion and music of the 80s, I was reacquainted with Wonder Woman’s lasso of truth and her invisible plane.

And then there’s Spider-Man - the superhero who can web-crawl, leap across buildings, fight like a pro, and anticipate danger with his spidey-sense.

What about Captain America? A super soldier whose extraordinary strength and agility make him capable of breaking steel with a single hit, while his shield keeps him safe from harm.

As his name suggests, Black Panther can move at incredible speed, sense fear and lies, and see in total darkness.

The Hulk’s power is perhaps the most obvious, he’s the strongest superhero there is. He can lift mountains, leap miles in a single bound and withstand bullets.

And then there’s Superman with his x-ray vision, and Batman who, while lacking a single superpower, boasts super intelligence.

Finally, we can’t forget everyone’s favourite superhero (well, mine and my son’s anyway), Iron Man. Once Tony Stark dons one of his 85 suits, he gains incredible strength, flight, and even the ability to repair himself and his armour.

Wouldn’t it be good if each of us had a superpower?

While we might not have superpowers as such, we do all have strengths.

According to the VIA Institute (Values in Action), there are 24 character strengths, and each of us possesses these in varying degrees. Our top five are known as our signature strengths. (If you’re curious, you can take a short survey online to discover yours.)

Understanding your character strengths is important. According to the VIA Institute, this understanding “…can help you make more intentional decisions, build stronger relationships and approach challenges with greater confidence”. In a study the Institute did this year, involving 3000 participants, 49% reported higher overall wellbeing after discovering their character strengths, 74% of participants gained greater self-awareness, and 62% felt more capable of handling challenges and problems.

My top strength is persistence, and I can recall several situations this year where this particular “superpower” has come into play. There were moments when emotions have run high, there was no easy solution and no one seemed to be winning. I’ve had to persist, backing myself, sticking to what I believed was right, and continuing despite doubt, discouragement and difficulty.

At school, we talk about strengths often, in fact, they underpin our Years 7 to 12 Connect Program. This term’s focus is on the Transcendence strengths: Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, Gratitude, Hope, Humour, and Spirituality. Through this lens, students are exploring how to look beyond themselves, serve others, walk in someone else’s shoes and be agents for positive change.

While we might not be superheroes, we all have our own unique strengths. It’s also worth remembering that every superhero comes from humble beginnings and wrestles with weaknesses, just like we do.

Bruce Banner (the Hulk) constantly battles anger and frustration.

Before becoming Captain America, Steve Rogers was weak and sickly.

Peter Parker is just an ordinary teenager when he’s not saving the city.

Batman may have inherited the Wayne fortune, but he grew up without his parents.

Even Tony Stark, Iron Man, carries scars from his past and his struggles. And like all of the superheroes, and similar to us, Iron Man proved that he was not invincible. We saw this in Avengers Endgame when his arc reactor was compromised, there were dire consequences.

Each of the superheroes remind us that strength isn’t about perfection, it’s about perseverance, purpose and growth. Martin Seligman, the “father” of Positive Psychology, calls using our signature strengths every day the “good life” and a way of producing “authentic happiness and abundant gratification”.

So, my challenge to all of us, and especially to our young people, is this: Know your strengths. Play to them. Grow the ones that don’t come as easily. Notice and celebrate the strengths in others.

None of us are superheroes, but we can all use our strengths in a super way.

Kathryn Dendy

Head of Middle Years (Pastoral)