superpowers

With the new year approaching, I spent Monday night reflecting on things I'm welcoming for 2025 as well as things I am releasing.

There was a lot of diving into what is in alignment in my life, and what is not longer right for me- people, mindsets, habits... all of that.

It felt great writing it all down- like cleaning out the garage- or my purse.

One of my exercises that night was an attempt to list what I think are my "superpowers". I got in a few- I know that I:

- always give my absolute best in endeavors

- am tenacious and keep going on a problem until I find a solution

- put people at ease

- am a fast learner

- have a growth mindset

- am adaptable

Art and creativity aren't on my list because I feel like those are such a "given" in my life. I was trying to drill down and appreciate some more intangible qualities.

Art is who I am, for sure, but from an outside perspective it's "what I do".

As a professional artist, creating artwork is my "job" Art is my product; it's the baseline of what a client expects me to deliver. But I don't think it's the answer to "why choose me?"

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I think people more often choose to work with me because of qualities that are difficult to quantify- that are felt in the gut or in the heart.

After writing the above list, however, I felt like there were things missing; qualities that reside in my own blind spots. So I reached out to friends and colleagues to see what they would name as my superpower.

It's an exercise that I highly recommend!!

Not just a few strokes for your ego, it's insight into ways you impact others and the world at large that you may not be aware of.

Reach out and ask your community- both close and more distant- what they see as your superpower. Encourage them to be real with you.

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Many the answers I got were similar to the list I'd already made. Several listed creativity and artistry, of course. But a few really touched me, opened my eyes, made me feel SEEN, and made me say, "Hey, yeah, that IS one of my superpowers!"

Here’s some of what they said:

✨ The ability to channel magic wherever I go

✨ Resiliency—transforming challenges into beauty

✨ Heart energy, compassion, and making people feel truly comfortable

✨ Fearlessness, strength of character

✨ Inspiration—encouraging others to dream bigger

✨ Realness, depth, and intuition

Reading their responses was humbling and affirming—and it got me thinking about how these superpowers shape everything I do. These traits are at the core of my work and my life, and I am committed to nurturing each one of these and practicing them with intention.

Now it's your turn- tell me in the comments-- What is YOUR superpower?

Happy New Year! Let’s celebrate the magic we each bring to the world.