Imagine we’re having a conversation about if we could have any power in the world, what would you choose? Would you want the power to fly? The power to tell the future? Think about it for a minute. Then think about the consequences those powers could have. If you could fly, would you ever come back down to the ground? If you could tell the future, then where does the excitement and mystery the future brings go? I’ve asked a lot of people that question and among the few mind-readings, flyers, and time travelers, most people say “invisibility.” When they say that, I usually laugh to myself, because I know what it’s like to be invisible — or at least feel that way.
That was how I spent my high school years; invisible and that’s how I wanted it. Or so I thought. Sure, it was nice to not be in the spotlight in a negative way, but what about the positives? I was the girl who didn’t go to all of the parties, or any school dances — I was always at dance class instead and I never tried to be visible or in the limelight. In high school, I was able to go through the halls without being noticed. I had a few close friends and that was it. It was really nice to not always be a part of the latest school gossip — growing up in a small town, rumors travel fast and everyone hears them. Nobody really talked about me -- which was nice to not be the butt of peoples’ jokes or the girl that people hated because of a rumor about her hooking up with someone else’s boyfriend.
But maybe being invisible wasn’t as great as I thought it would be. I feel like nobody really knew I was there either, like they saw right through me. I was invisible. Nobody was lining up to sit with me and my friends at lunch, people weren’t dying to talk to me all the time and it felt like people could just see right through me half the time. I feel like in five years, people will remember the jocks and most of the other people at any future reunions, but will anyone remember the girl who spent so long trying to be invisible? What’s so super about that?
Why is invisibility considered a superpower? Because you can walk through walls? That’s what doors are for. So you can get away with something without being noticed? Well why not take responsibility for it — no guts no glory. So you can go around unnoticed? Why not show the world who you are? So why would anyone want to be invisible? I lived like that for years and while I don’t think I would really change it, I’m glad I’m visible now. Invisibility was a way to protect myself against people who I thought wouldn't like me, but in doing that I didn't let anyone get to know me at all. I became invisible to everyone. Why would anyone want to go through life without being noticed for anything?
Back to our conversation about superpowers. If I could have any power in the world, I would never want invisibility, or the power to fly, or anything really. If I could have any superpower in the world it would be to be myself at all times and not become invisible again. I’m ready to be seen and heard and noticed and everyone else should too. Being invisible is nice at times, but being visible is better because you meet more people, do more activities, and live life to the fullest while everyone watches you and sees how far you’ve come. So, if you could have any superpower, any at all, what would it be?
