For some, like Sheila, it's the ability to walk into a store, find the wildest, most eclectic items of clothing, and put them together into a cohesive outfit that stuns and impresses. For others, like Jodi, it's exceptional physical capacity; Jodi can run and swim for days. For a few, like Zoe and Fuzzy, it's an innate spirit of adventure that propels them on journeys the rest of us only dream about.
For me, it's a deep understanding of how both men and women think. My peculiar circumstance gave me this gift, which some consider a curse.
I was raised as a boy and have lived an adult lifetime as a man. I know male behavior, male society and male culture. To fit in, I learned how men think; what they like, what they fear. I know how to behave standing among men at urinals, how to make men relax in my presence, and how to achieve goals esteemed by male society.
In addition to this, I have some understanding of female life. Of course I haven't lived publicly as a woman but I've paid careful study to women and their lives for five decades. Every time I'm with a woman, I try to see what she's seeing. I ask her what she's thinking. I listen closely to her descriptions of life experiences. Some women are surprised at this heightened attention; most are flattered by it. My relationships and friendships with women have been mutually-satisfying due to it.
So, to a degree beyond that possessed by most people, I understand both male and female life. Sometimes I find this amusing; sometimes it's sad. There is a wide gulf between the sexes because our society, despite its proclamations of equality, is highly gender-segregated. For example, you may not notice this phenomenon because it's so common and feels so natural but as soon as a social group meets, men head off to talk with other men and women gravitate toward other women. Most people feel more comfortable in the company of their own gender.
This is my superpower. What's yours?
Hmmmm...good question. Probably it would be my creative abilities. Doesn't matter what I'm doing as long as I get to be somewhat creative I'm happy.
ReplyDeletebisous
Suzanne
That's true. That and your BIG personality. :-)
DeleteWould it be weird to say organizing? I'm really good at finding places for things that never seem like they'll fit. My shed is like 8x8 and in the old house it was 10x20, but all the same stuff minus the washer and dryer fits in there. It's like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
ReplyDeleteOrganizing is definitely a superpower. One many lack. It's very useful.
DeleteSuperpower? I've always been very good at sensing other people's moods and seeing what makes them tick... But I always thought it's just something you get when you were raised by totally neurotic people, and I am actively trying to turn this particular superpower off.
ReplyDeleteHa! If you have a superpower, you can choose to turn it off. :-)
DeleteOh wow, I could use a little of your superpowers just about now Ally.
ReplyDeleteRight now I don't think I have any powers I am pretty beat up.
Any other day, I'd say I am quite intuitive.
Intuition is a strong power. Hope things improve for you, pal.
DeleteHey Ally thanks so much for the mention. I love that you think I have an adventurous spirit, that made me smile. I believe that we all have gifts (or superpowers) and the key is not to keep them to ourselves but to use them to make other people smile as much as we can. You certainly do that with yours x
ReplyDeleteI have the ability to put together top notch costumes in a flash and I can go days without washing dishes. I'm super mom!
ReplyDeleteI like that second one!
DeleteUnless having a fast metabolism is a superpower i am pretty boring :P.
ReplyDeleteMust be all that coffee you drink!
DeleteYou have a unique perspective!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm quite useful at being a music teacher since I have perfect pitch and I can play most instruments and I can compose and arrange music for different abilities!x
I wish I had your musical abilities. They're terrific.
DeleteI have an uncanny sense of smell. Sadly this can be both a good thing and a bad thing. I can often tell when food is finished cooking on smell alone. I also have an aversion to cinnamon because it burns my sinuses. So win some, lose some. Still, I got a good sniffer.
ReplyDeleteYou're among the small group of people who have this ability -- heightened sense of smell. Your nose has lots more sense-receptors in it than ours do. You could judge wines or work in the food industry. And, yes, most superpowers (including my own) are curses as well as blessings.
DeleteYou already got mine! Ha! Thank you for the shout-out, sweetheart. You are truly a super-human!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I found another one of those crazy items today! Versace "mom jeans".
I stand in awe at your ability.
DeleteI suppose my superpower is to find always something I want to buy in any shop, and to end my salary soon, LOL ! Your superpower is far more interesting, and beautiful, believe me. Many kisses
ReplyDeleteFashion and Cookies - fashion blog
I like your ability, Vale, and would switch with you in a New York minute!
DeleteI think I have the super-power of listening with all my senses. Like you, I am endlessly fascinated by people and how they think/feel. It's a well that has no bottom, as we are all so fascinating (to me, anyway). xox
ReplyDeletePatti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
What struck me most was your comment at the end and I would like to add something to it. If, in a social gathering men approach women or women approach men it is likely to be perceived as flirting and it may be. But it may not be yet it often causes others to label it so. I have lived my life so far in an environment where there has not been much segregation of the sexes. Perhaps it is very rare, perhaps it is due to the types of people I tend to associate with. I have always been part of a social group of males and females who did not separate themselves. Working in elementary teaching the staff was largely female, but I found that the male teachers usually just mixed right in. Perhaps they had to as there were only likely to be two of them. In my family males and females might separate to discuss common interests but never would it be out of place for anyone to join any group. Even in larger social gatherings, though I don't go to many and at this point in my life pretty much attend none, I have never experienced this divide. I would actually approach a group of men sooner than a group of women, feeling fairly certain of acceptance from the men and fearing rejection from the women. Rejection from the women would hurt more. Why is that? I have some ideas but I've already written so much as usual. Clearly my super power is over-thinking. ;-) xoxo
ReplyDeleteNice example of your superpower! Yes, you're right that there are instances where people mingle without regard to gender and there are women who prefer the company of men. But, in my long experience, those are exceptions.
DeleteThat is a great superpower though borne of some difficult years. Nonetheless a great skill. I loved reading these responses, you sure know how to ask good question. My superpowers would include marathon shopping, intuitive prowess ,remembering arcane and useless bits of information. Cool, right? Where is my cape.
ReplyDeleteI think mostly out differences are chemical, rather than anatomical. Estrogens does some weird s*it!
xx, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com
Let's go cape-shopping, girlfriend!
DeleteYou have some great insights about gender inequality and your observations are spot on. I loved reading about how you can tap into both genders. I'm not sure I have a superpower . . . maybe seeing things others overlook? I'm sure there's got to be something even cooler than that, but I'd have to think about it!
ReplyDeleteI love your super power! So many would be amazed to be able to see what you see. People are oblivious until forced to see.
ReplyDeleteMy super power is my detail eye (just the one ;-) It causes me to notice detail others miss. This can really overload my senses, but it also gives me my photography! Xo Jazzy Jack
You have a stellar super power, Ally. Thank you for sharing more about it with us.
ReplyDeleteHappiest Thanksgiving Eve wishes!
♥ Jessica