SUPERMAN IS REAL
IF YOU BELIEVE
Copyright © 2002-2005 by John D. Moore
As children inculcated into our collective American society, youngsters of all ages - from the small prairie towns of Midwest to the large cities on the coasts - at some point, come to believe that there exists one man whose sole job it is to protect the world from evil and to shield us from the villainous forces of darkness.
As the story goes, this man of steel, who is able to leap tall buildings in a single bound and is faster than a speeding bullet, is called Superman. For kids, the very mention of his name conjures up images of an unassuming fellow who can magically transform from a mild mannered reporter into a full-fledged superhero that can not only fly, but has x-ray vision and possesses strength that is ... well... more powerful than a locomotive. In short, "Superman" embodies all that is good and just.
Somewhere along the line however, as little ones grow into adulthood, the myth of a superman begins to dimish and his once important symbol of hope, truth and justice fades into oblivion. This is what happens when the harsh realities of the world sets in and the difference between "life" and "living" become blurred.
It doesn't have to be that way - you can still believe in Superman.
The truth is, we all need Superman. We need to believe that there exists some figure in the world that can defend us when we cannot - that there is in fact a force of goodness that upholds all of our hopes and captivates the dreams for mankind.
And maybe, just maybe, "Superman" is you.
You see, the real attraction of Clark Kent is not his magical powers nor his steely physique but rather, his all too human ability to act unselfishly and to do for others what they cannot do for themselves - to reach out into the darkness and help those who do not have a voice.
If you choose, Superman can be very real. He can be real for you and real for me. He can be the friend who listens to your problems when you are down and out or the person who gives you a hand when no one else will. He can exist through your own actions and deeds - in the stranger you help or the goodness you show to others.
Superman is real - if you choose to believe.
