The Hidden SuperPower that Protects U from Just About Everything

Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us. – Stephen Covey

Did know you have a superpower? Did you know that this power is with you all the time and that you can whip it out like a giant cape or shield to protect yourself from people and situations that could hurt you? Well, I’m here to tell you that you do and it’s time for you to understand what this power means to you and how/when to use it. Lucky for you, there’s no better time to start honing this power than in your teens.

As a teen you have surely realized that you have people and situations coming at you every which way from the moment you open your eyes to the time you crawl into bed. From peer pressure to parents to friends to social media to commercials and advertising, there is a constant onslaught of people and things not only vying for your attention but also trying to influence who you are, how you think, how you look and how you feel about yourself.

Sometimes this can be positive (like a compliment from a friend) but it can also be really negative (like a snarky comment from a friend that leaves you reeling) but there’s good news in all of this. Thankfully you have the power to decide how you are going to let these things affect you. Yup, it’s time to whip out that magical protective cape.

You see, it turns out that you are actually the one who chooses to sit and obsess about things or to let things roll right off your back. You are actually in control of you and that is a powerful thing! What’s equally powerful though are all the negative and positive things out there in the world so you need to actively choose to be in charge of your emotions, feelings and how you react to things and what you let in or what you shut out. You need to remember that you have this power and remember to use it. I’m not saying it’s easy. It takes practice but, like any good superpower, you need to figure out how to use it.

For example, the next time someone says something to you that’s upsetting or hurtful pay attention to how you react. Do you become fixated on what they said? Do you replay it over and over in your head? Do you endlessly analyze it and discuss it with your friends again and again? I get that sometimes it’s hard to not do this when we’re really hurt but you can actually choose to turn it all off.

Just take a deep breath. Now take two or three more. Slow down and quiet the chatter in your mind. Take a moment to realize that their words are just words and that you, yes you, are actually in control of your mind. You get to choose and control how you react to everything in life and I’m not going to lie, it takes time and practice to learn how to do it. But you can do it. You just have to start doing it and keep doing it. I’m also here to tell you that learning this power in your teens will give you a huuuuuge advantage later in life (when the same people you know in your teens will still be the same people trying to hurt you as adults, I’m sad to say).

So the next time you find yourself getting upset about something take a quick moment and remember that you have the power and freedom to take charge and move past it. You choose to let it in or turn it out. Basically, you have a hidden superpower so why not use it to protect yourself?!

Now you tell me. How do you deal with tough situations or events that really get you down. How do you move past it? How do you take control? How do you use your power and freedom? Show me your superpowers!