Learning how to live and thrive, much less to find our superpower(s) after a traumatic brain injury can be very difficult. What was once easy to accomplish, now becomes time-consuming and energy-draining.
As a result, we may experience frustration, become discouraged and be tempted to give up. Give up on discovering and learning how to use our “superpower”. Use our superpower to feel most deeply and vitally alive.
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For many years, after my traumatic brain injury that I sustained at the age of 10, I had a difficult time finding my superpower. For many years I tried to fit my “square peg” into a “round hole”, only to be frustrated.
I stayed frustrated for many years after my traumatic brain injury because no one wanted what I had to give. I stayed frustrated for many years because I kept running into one wall after another until I stopped fighting.
Stopped fighting against what I could not change and against what I was unable to accomplish. Although it took me 39 years after my traumatic brain injury to discover and begin to use my superpower, I am glad that I did not give up.
I share my process to encourage you to not give up on your process of discovery. The process of discovering and using your superpower.
Although you too may be unemployable, and your invisible disability, deficits, and limitations keep getting in your way there is good news. By not giving up on your process you too will discover and begin using your superpower.
“Sometimes adversity is what you need to face to become successful.” Zig Ziglar
And once you have found your superpower use your talents and abilities to develop what makes you feel most vitally alive.
“Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, ‘This is the real me,’ and when you have found that attitude, follow it.” William James
Below are definitions of Gift, Talent, and Ability
The definitions may help you to discover your superpower. What you are good at and what you love to do with your time and energy. What makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive.
Definitions provided by Merriam-Webster
Gift
noun
1: a notable capacity, talent, or endowment
2: something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation
3: the act, right, or power of giving
Talent
noun
1a: a special often athletic, creative, or artistic aptitude
2: the natural endowments of a person
3: a person of talent or a group of persons of talent in a field or activity
4a: any of several ancient units of weight
b: a unit of value equal to the value of a talent of gold or silver
5 archaic: a characteristic feature, aptitude, or disposition of a person or animal
Ability
noun
1a: the quality or state of being able the ability of the soil to hold water especially: physical, mental, or legal power to do something a writer’s ability to engage the reader’s interest did the work to the best of her ability [=as well as she could]
b: competence in doing something: skill artistic abilities
2: natural aptitude or acquired proficiency students with different abilities
Dictionary.com
Gift
noun
something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor toward someone, honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance; present.
the act of giving.
something bestowed or acquired without any particular effort by the recipient or without its being earned: Those extra points he got in the game were a total gift.
a special ability or capacity; natural endowment; talent: the gift of saying the right thing at the right time.
verb (used with object)
to present with as a gift; bestow gifts upon; endow with.
to present (someone) with a gift: just the thing to gift the newlyweds.
Talent
noun
a special natural ability or aptitude: a talent for drawing.
a capacity for achievement or success; ability: young men of talent.
a talented person: The cast includes many of the theater’s major talents.
a group of persons with special ability: an exhibition of watercolors by the local talent.
Movies and Television. professional actors collectively, especially star performers.
a power of mind or body considered as given to a person for use and improvement: so called from the parable in Matt. 25:14–30
Ability
noun
power or capacity to do or act physically, mentally, legally, morally, financially, etc.
competence in an activity or occupation because of one’s skill, training, or other qualification: the ability to sing well.
abilities, talents; special skills or aptitudes: Composing music is beyond his abilities.
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