Modern Day Wonder Woman

What is it about superheroes? I watch kids at the supermarket run towards the toy aisle, begging for the Batman or Superman action figures. A friend of mine has a three-year-old son who refuses to wear anything but his Spiderman costume. He wears it everywhere, from church to birthday parties, and cries every time they wash it. My own kids love dressing up and fighting crime around the house. They even mix and match characters- a Batman cape, with a Spiderman mask, and a Star Wars light saber. It's pretty funny to watch them swap powers and try to kill each other.

So why do kids idolize these superheroes? As I think about the comic book characters of my childhood, I notice the traits that connect us to our heroes. I must admit that I thought Wonder Woman was amazing. She was beautiful, smart, strong, and helped people. Other heroes could do cool things like fly, become invisible, or read minds. I think the theme of our admiration is about being different from others; having special gifts and talents. And let's face it- although kids tend to be scared by standing out from their peers, each person wants to be unique and special. I wanted to be just like the Queen of the Amazon. The traits I admired are still admirable to me today. I nearly started jumping up and down when I found a t-shirt with Wonder Woman on it. Every time I wear it, I feel like fighting some bad guys.

I think we identify with superheroes because they represent the potential in us. Every hero has an inner conflict- to fulfill their life's purpose, or to succumb to their tragic flaw. Each superhero has a weakness. The villains always found out the soft spot- whether it was physical like Superman's kryptonite, or a relationship like Spiderman's Mary Jane. In order to win, the hero must find a way to overcome his weakness. Heroes must also choose between standing out in greatness, or remaining safely average. In the Disney movie about Hercules, he sings that he wants to find where he belongs. He wants to be just like everyone else, but he has a special gift that can help other people. The cost of pursuing that gift means looking like a freak to others. But in the end, he saves the world and finds true love. What a story! If only it was that easy for us to reach our potential.

My expectations of what I should be as a woman have revealed a disconnect for me. The "shoulds" I tell myself attempt to mold me into my version of a modern

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