“Lessons for the Superhero Apprentice”
At four-years-old, my son has just one problem in life, and it plagues him night after
night. Lying in bed, a never-ending debate runs through his mind – which superhero should he be
when he gets big.
Batman. Superman. Spiderman. The Hulk. Even Plastic Man is an option! Each one
unique, offering a child endless possibilities in the form of costumes, super powers, weapons,
vehicles and villains.
I lie next to him and smile, wishing his dreams to come true. I may not be a superhero,
but as a father I hope I am providing him with the lessons he needs to become one.
Superheroes aren’t perfect. Sometimes they crash… and it’s not always the cape’s fault. Or the
villain’s fault. Or anybody’s fault really. Sometimes things just happen, and there isn’t really
anyone to blame. Superheroes don’t waste time blaming. If they crash, they just brush it off and
get back into the air.
Always trust your Spidey sense. If you’re ever unsure about a situation, it’s best to follow
your gut. It could be what superhero move you need to make to capture the villain. It could be
what to say to someone who is upset with you. Or it could be whether or not you should do
something someone is asking you to do. Not sure what to do? Follow your Spidey sense. It’s
why superheroes have it, and it’s usually right. With a little practice, and a lot of faith, you’ll
learn to trust it.
Visualization. To be successful in anything, first be successful in your mind. Visualize yourself
making contact with that baseball before you even step up to the plate. Picture every moment of
the event. Your hands gripping the bat. Your legs balanced and ready to step forward into the
pitch. The crack of the bat as the ball flies through the air. Your legs darting out of the batter’s
box as you sprint along the base paths. First picture it in your mind, and your body will know
what to do when the time comes to face that first curve ball.
When you hear an ambulance siren as it races on down the road, be it close by or far off in the
distance, take a second and say a little prayer for whoever is in need. Superheroes can’t be in all
places at all times, but their prayers can. That prayer is sure to help the person the ambulance is
racing to reach.
Choose your words carefully. Most mere mortals assume that the greatest of superhero powers
come from radioactive accidents, genetic mutation, or intergalactic immigration. The truth of the
matter is, superheroes master the most common and yet most difficult skills first. Chief among
these skills is one’s ability to choose words carefully. For example, certain words should not
be uttered by any superhero. These include the words “never,” “can’t,” and “I give up.” Other
examples include words such as “hate” and “kill.”
Just the same, there are certain words in the vocabularies of all superheroes that should be said
now and again, and sometimes these are even more difficult to master. Examples that fall into
this category include the words “help” and “I don’t know.” The thing is, superheroes can’t do
everything on their own, and they don’t know everything there is to know. Superheroes are
aware of this imperfect quality, no matter how super they may be. Choose your words, and the
words you choose not to use, very carefully.
Gratitude. If there’s one thing superheroes do well, it’s appreciating how lucky they are. After
all, it’s not everyone that can fly, sling webs, or turn green with bulging muscles when danger
looms. Superheroes are lucky, and they know it. That’s why they end each day with a prayer of
thanks. So as you lay in bed at night, eyes closed and ready to recharge your body for another
day of saving the world, spend a few minutes thinking about everything you’re thankful for.
God. Your family. Your friends. Your home. Anyone and anything that made your day better.
This is one of the most important exercises a superhero can do, and like all exercise, it makes
you even stronger.
I look over at my son, fast asleep, and say a prayer of gratitude for this little superhero-in-
training. My dream is that he achieves his. I say a prayer too for the superhero who shared these
lessons with me – my father. Though he may be gone, he lives on. After all, superheroes are
immortal.
Michael T. Dolan is a writer from West Chester, PA, and the voice behind
www.superheroesintraining.com