Saturday and Mary K.

Today I went to visit my long-time friend, Mary K. She's currently a graphic designer, but her list of gifts and talents are long. She has a delightful sense of humor and an extremely quick wit. She has been blessed with performing skills which she has used professionally and in community events. More importantly, she has been a stalwart and true friend. She is compassionate and kind. She's not perfect, but, then, neither am I. Overall, her presence has been a blessing in my life.

Our plans for today hit a few technical glitches. She has a new computer system and the scanners refused to cooperate. So, after a couple of rather unproductive hours, we gave it up... and went out to lunch! That's the wonderful thing about good friends. When the plans go awry, it's easy to change the plans.

We share many interests and talents, although to differing degrees. Yet we each bring unique elements to our friendship as well. Although the path of our friendship has not always run smooth, we share a commitment to our friendship. The truly amazing thing about most of the people with whom I am friends is that what I appreciate most about them has often arisen out of our differences.

Mary K. is dramatic and fun. LuWane is the "queen" of culture-- art, music, literature, and a superb cook to boot! To be perfectly honest, sometimes I feel like I don't quite measure up in comparison to their levels of expertise. The same could be said about all of my friends. That sentiment, however, discounts my own contributions to the friendships. When it comes to relationships, we tend not to be very good mathematicians (or statisticians). There is a tendency to compare one person's strengths with another's weaknesses. There is also a tendency to apply inequal weighting to compensatory skills and talents-- overvaluing some and undervaluing others.

Today Mary K. was to be the teacher and I the student, but in times past our roles have been reversed. Who can say about the future. Let's face it-- if each of us had every gift and talent that we needed in this world, our lives would be solitary and lonely. If we had it all, we wouldn't need anyone or anything. That which brings us the greatest joy in this life is primarily derived from positive relationships with others. The joy is in sharing.

Superheroes understand who they are, both strengths and weaknesses. They share their "super" gifts when they are needed, but they leave enough room in their lives for other superheroes to contribute their unique gifts and talents as well. Can you imagine the confrontation if Superman and Spiderman were to compete against each other to "save" the world? The battle would quickly devolve into being about "them" rather than overcoming evil. Each would be more concerned with trying to outdo the other, instead of focusing on the task at hand. Rather than create a clash of the Titans, superheroes welcome the contributions of others as they seek to make the world a better place for us all.

The superhero tip for the day is: Look for the good in others-- and in ourselves-- and find an opportunity to share.