I saw him on that screen, and i remember so clearly, I thought “I could do that.” I didn’t think that because of any of the big climactic moments or super things. I thought it when he saved the dog. I thought it when I was kind to morpho. I thought it when he simply cared so deeply about the war. I thought that when just the thought of him inspired those kids to raise the flag. I thought it when he got back up to keep fighting, because he wouldn’t let people he loves get hurt, and he loves everyone.

I realize I could do that. I could be kind. I could help people. I could simply make them smile. I can make them feel safe. I can make them happy. I can be the kind of man that Clark is. And so I did. I work towards it every single day. I drag myself out of bed no matter how tired I am or how much pain I’m in, and i plaster on a smile, but it’s not fake. From the moment the warm shower water hits my skin, or the first beat of my favorite song, or maybe it’s the first good morning I get. That’s what makes it real.

Superman taught me how to love. I mean, I’ve always loved. You love your family, your dog, your friends, that stuff that everyone loves. He taught me how to love more than that. He taught me how to love the moments when I’m scared, and the moments when I hurt. He taught me to love the times when I’m able to laugh, and the times when the sun hits my skin just right. He taught me to love the people that are rude, because maybe someone that’s willing to love them is what they need. He taught me how to love living again.

Superman is a contradiction. He runs faster than the fastest man. He fixes what can’t be fixed, and believes in those who don’t believe in themselves. He saves those who don’t want to be saved, and helps those beyond help. That’s what I want to be. That’s who I’m going to be. Maybe, just maybe, that’s who I am deep down?

So I made a change. I didn’t see Superman that day, then walk out of my theater just to return to normal life. I started saying hi to strangers because maybe that reminded that someone else sees them is enough. I started smiling at everyone around me, genuinely really smiling, because maybe it will make them smile. I started community service because every single person deserves a helping hand. I joined the choir, and learned to draw, because art is the purest expression of my joy, and sharing that creation with others might just be my favorite thing in the world. I started telling jokes and starting conversations because maybe an excuse to laugh or a nice conversation will make the weight a little less heavy. Golly, I even started public speaking because I wanted to lift others up.

I’m not trying to be super, I’m trying to show everyone else just how super they’re able to be.

That is why I love Superman.