Sunday, April 14, 2013

Ids, Egos and Superheros

Clark Kent has his phone booth.  Isis and Wonder Woman have their alter egos.  Split personality. A normal persona. A secret one. Okay, maybe not secret, but famous, important.

It seems so easy to morph from one to the other. A quick step inside a phone booth while ripping  your button up shirt off and exit with super powers. Take the glasses off, the  bun down and twirl around with your arms wide and you accessorize with a golden lasso and bullet proof bracelets.

I wonder who they see in the mirror? The normal? Or the supernormal? When they walk down a sunlit sidewalk, do they see the shadow of the cape or the lasso? Which is real? Are they both?

Where does one persona begin and the other end?  And how could I create my own? I did when left the original Jeff and went to Mankato.  From shy, intellectual wall flower to outgoing, drinking and swearing, somewhat promiscuous dean's list honoree.

So why do I find it so difficult to recreate myself again? The one that chooses sweat over sweet. Activity over sedantry. The persona that quietly and magnetically persuades people of her brilliant ideas. The persona that is well respected and liked by coworkers. The persona that  leads with charisma and wisdom. The persona that is given a nifty nickname out of adoration.

Eats right. Sleeps well. Breathes fresh air.  Meditates. Gives back.  The person that matches my self image with the shadow on the sidewalk. 

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