Editor’s Page

By Renee Williams

For decades, children have been dressing up as superheroes. Our children find comfort, even hope, in superheroes. Recently, Wonder Woman earned $600 million at the box office worldwide and after 75 years of heroics (aside from her lasso of truth, bullet proof bracelets and boomerang tiara) Wonder Woman’s true superhero power is her ability to inspire.

Another part of Wonder Woman’s success story is the common narrative of “the hero’s journey,” a story that has been told in a thousand different ways with a thousand different faces. It is the story of Star Wars, The Lion King and The Wizard of Oz. The monomyth of the hero’s journey is in almost every movie you have seen, in every book you have read and it is present in everyday life because we are all on the hero’s journey.

We all have a unique set of talents and abilities that set us apart-our very own superhero power, an inner awesomeness that we hope to bring to life. Our superhero power is the way we show up in the world, the things we do when hours pass as minutes, the things we excel at and the things we pursue.

As parents, we can help guide our children to their superhero power by helping them figure out where they fit in and what they are passionate about. By giving our children many opportunities to explore their unique set of talents and abilities, we can find out what they really really love to do. Do they love creative arts or sports? If you scan the landscape of their life, you will notice certain experiences peak up.

In raising my own children, I found that one moment my oldest son Zakk was obsessed with Lord of the Rings and the sound track to the movie and the next moment he was stepping out into his own fantasy role and found his superhero power in his ability to compose and create music. Of course when this occurred, I felt I had been thrown into a confusing new world with little guidance on how to balance his superpowers with say…his homework, but he found his way.

Several years later, my goddaughter Paige felt her calling in being of service to others and one moment she was volunteering at the church nursery and now she is fashioning her superhero cape and tights to serve in the United States Coast Guard.

Finally, as I ally with my youngest son Dylan, for what will surely be the most adventurous quest of all, I am scanning the landscape for clues along the way. Dylan’s love of fashion, especially shoes, his interest in music, dance and cooking are all clues along the way. Although I can mentor and guide my children to follow their passion, ultimately it is up to them to become the hero of their own story.

So whether your child’s call is to become the next Van Gogh, Kevin Durant or to save the world, we can help our children get their superhero groove on by inspiring them to follow their passion and encouraging them along the way. Heroes are not born, they are made. The world needs your child’s passion so decide right now that it is possible to find it and when your child finds their passion, be assured: It will always guide them in the right direction.

Until August,

Renee Williams

renee.williams@augustafamily.com