Look, up in the sky!

Superman is my idol.

Not because I have a penchant for lycra tights in primary colours, but because of his unwavering determination to do good.

His mission to serve truth, justice and the honourable way is only the tip of the iceberg.

What most inspires me is that he isn’t afraid to take responsibility for anything. He habitually shoulders the duty to help anyone and everyone who needs him, above all else.

Superman never takes a holiday. He is always on call… his super-hearing constantly tuned and scanning for the possible sound of a call for help.

Even when he loses his powers, which happens from time to time for various reasons, he continues to fight to the best of his ability.

I try to emulate that in my own life. Although I lack super-hearing, my cellphone is always switched on, just in case someone needs my help.

No matter what happens to me, I try to always be ready to help, regardless of the cost. Particularly for people I care about. It was that attitude that contributed to the demise of my last relationship. But still I persist.

It frustrates me no end that there are many things that are beyond my power to fix. If a friend is depressed… I can’t fix that. But I’m prepared to do what I can, even if it’s only to listen to them over a cup of coffee and give a consolatory hug.

What really eats me up is when people I really care about resist that… when they refuse the ear and shoulder combo I offer, as my best friend has now done.

Without going into too much detail, she has reached a place where she has a lot of things to figure out… things that seem to be troubling her greatly. Naturally I want to do what I can, but she refuses to even speak to me about it since we don’t share the same spiritual beliefs.

This is the first time she has deliberately excluded me from her pain. Naturally I’m hurt and frustrated… but of course I can’t burden her further with my problems, since she has enough of her own to deal with.

So, Superman… may I call you Kal? So, Kal, has this ever happened to you? Has there ever been a time when Jimmy, Lana or Lois have pushed you out of their lives? Refused to allow you to help them? Did it hurt you as much as it does me?

Seems like Kryptonite isn’t the only thing we have to worry about.