Superheroes Are Fictional

The other night, I was thinking about relationship roles. Nothing to do with romantic relationships, but more specifically, the roles we are and take on in friendship and family relationships. Then I asked myself the question, "What does it mean to be in a healthy relationship?" From this question, the title of this post was born.

You see, so often in relationships we try to swoop in all superhero-y and change the people we are in contact with. We don't like the way they talk. We don't like the way they raise their children. We don't like the amount of time they spend on a certain thing. We think if we can just fly in with our capes and save the day, the people we interact with will be better people for it. How is this true when WE ACTUALLY DON'T HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE PEOPLE.

Now don't get me wrong. People change me and mold me every single day, but it is not because they are out to change me. No, the relationships that are the healthiest and most inspirational are the ones that use the motto support as opposed to change. Now support doesn't mean being a doormat. It doesn't mean never speaking into a person's life. It doesn't mean going along with everything the other person does. It simply means acting with and towards the other person in ways which will bless them and encourage them to move forward in life in a growing, healthy manner.

We love our superheros, especially in light of the recent Avengers kick. We love our stories of knights in shining white armours. But at the end of the day, we are meant to be in each other's lives to support not change. At the end of the day, superheroes are fictional. 

Happy Friday!

---

My "Fearful" Confession

*you might need a cup of coffee for this one, because it's more intense than my normal blog posts*

>>>><<<<

Dear Blogging World, 

I have a confession to make. 

This is something that has been on my mind for awhile. 

I had originally scheduled another edition of moments & details for today's post, but this is something I needed to get out.

Okay, here it is.

I am afraid.

Sincerely,

A Young Woman

>>>><<<<

Let me explain. Lately in my city, there has been a bit too much criminal activity going on for my comfort. There have been abductions {knife-point}, robberies, assaults, and break-ins. I think the scary part was the fact that some of these incidents happened to young women who just happened to be alone out in public. This results in the "I am afraid" mindset.

Now, I have lived in this city for almost three years {February 15th}. I have walked home at night in the past. I have been alone at certain times of the day in public. I have done things that some would label "unsafe". However, IT NEVER HAS BEEN! I have never felt unsafe or been anywhere near somewhere that has made me feel so. So why this all of sudden urge to hire bodyguards?

I don't know. But it bothers me because it is extending into my social media side of life. I have already deleted the majority of pictures on my personal Facebook page. I have set my account to the highest possible privacy settings. I have even debating changing my name {let's be honest, Silver is quite easier to search and find}. Then I think about my blog. About all the pictures. All the details. All the information. Blogging is a very important part of my life. So where do I go with this fear?

I do bring it to the Lord. I do. But I also know I have a brain and insight. Am I not being smart with my use of social media? Am I too public with my personal life? How can I answer this? I see blogs with thousands of followers and these wonderful and inspiring women post pictures of themselves, their neighbourhoods, their children, their life events. Do they ever feel afraid? I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic.

I don't have the answer. I just have the mindset. I don't have the steps I'm going to take. All I know there is a fear there that has never been there before . . .

---