Mr. Fantastic Me
Who remembers "Mr. Fantastic" of the Marvel comic book series? For those who don't know: A man known as Reed Richards, identifies as the leader of the genetically altered team, the Fantastic Four. Richards obtained the power of elasticity and shape-shifting after he and his colleagues were exposed to extreme levels of radiation in an experiment gone awry. Each person faced different genetic mutations, some more apparent than others. Despite initially resenting their new found abilities, Richards convinced the team to use these powers for the greater good.
One of my coworkers mentioned earlier this year that I have lots of dedication and discipline to lead the life I live. I'm not sure how much of that still holds true since some time has passed. I know I am nowhere near perfection; I'm seeing where this course takes me and how it all pans out. There are parts of my former self that yearn to take shape again, but it's difficult molding it altogether. Albeit, my interests are still somewhere, embedded deep under my skin. I keep telling myself that the work I put into this career will benefit in the long run, but it drains the life out everything else.
I'm not saying I'm the leader of any superhuman group, (maybe I am and it hasn't been discovered yet?) but often I feel the strands of my sanity are stretched thin. My family and friends play tug-of-war with me, demanding my presence, while I'm stuck in the middle, unsure which way to go. There are times when I feel people need me to extend above and beyond myself so I can be present with them. The leisure time I have between work and home is so limited, I'm easily agitated at the thought of anyone taking that away from me. It's nothing short of difficult sustaining a "Fantastic" attitude. I no longer feel I'm fit for the hero-role that everyone wants me to be. It got me thinking, maybe I've turned into the Villain instead.
Please understand, I'm not even half the person "Mr. Fantastic" ever will be, but I don't know how much of me is still the "human" I was before. I realize I have grown cold and distant in other aspects of life, so I could focus on these new skills and abilities. It's true; certain sacrifices must be made in order to continue personal development, discovering what it is I want in life. Learning to balance the former with the latter. But had I not taken this path, I don't know if I would see any personal change or growth. Believe me: this life is NOT the result of an accident in the laboratory, rather a series of decisions and actions that (I'm hoping) leads toward a Fantastic Future.
One of my coworkers mentioned earlier this year that I have lots of dedication and discipline to lead the life I live. I'm not sure how much of that still holds true since some time has passed. I know I am nowhere near perfection; I'm seeing where this course takes me and how it all pans out. There are parts of my former self that yearn to take shape again, but it's difficult molding it altogether. Albeit, my interests are still somewhere, embedded deep under my skin. I keep telling myself that the work I put into this career will benefit in the long run, but it drains the life out everything else.
I'm not saying I'm the leader of any superhuman group, (maybe I am and it hasn't been discovered yet?) but often I feel the strands of my sanity are stretched thin. My family and friends play tug-of-war with me, demanding my presence, while I'm stuck in the middle, unsure which way to go. There are times when I feel people need me to extend above and beyond myself so I can be present with them. The leisure time I have between work and home is so limited, I'm easily agitated at the thought of anyone taking that away from me. It's nothing short of difficult sustaining a "Fantastic" attitude. I no longer feel I'm fit for the hero-role that everyone wants me to be. It got me thinking, maybe I've turned into the Villain instead.
Please understand, I'm not even half the person "Mr. Fantastic" ever will be, but I don't know how much of me is still the "human" I was before. I realize I have grown cold and distant in other aspects of life, so I could focus on these new skills and abilities. It's true; certain sacrifices must be made in order to continue personal development, discovering what it is I want in life. Learning to balance the former with the latter. But had I not taken this path, I don't know if I would see any personal change or growth. Believe me: this life is NOT the result of an accident in the laboratory, rather a series of decisions and actions that (I'm hoping) leads toward a Fantastic Future.