3 Things Infinity War Can Teach Us About Belonging
So many of us struggle at one time or another to find where we belong. From kindergarten to university, to the communities we live in, our jobs, and in our relationships – we all want that feeling of belonging. We want to feel we are a part of something, and we can be ourselves.
Even superheroes aren’t immune to this. They need to belong too, at least that’s some of the takeaway messages we got from Avenger’s Infinity War.
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Don’t be intimidated
Picture Wakanda Kingdom. Vision is lying on the examination table while Shuri and Bruce Banner are working on getting the mind stone off him. In just a couple of statements, Shuri makes it known that she is far more intelligent than Bruce and his team (including Iron Man). Bruce Banner must have been blown away by Wakanda’s advanced technology. Interestingly, we don’t see him getting mad or sad because of this. Bruce doesn’t let Shuri’s intelligence intimidate him.
There will always be someone better than you but that doesn’t diminish your value. Don’t let someone else make you feel like you have nothing to offer. Take time and find what you are really good at then connect with people whose interests mirror yours. Recognise that we all have strengths and weaknesses and can learn from each other. If you can’t find a group that values you, look elsewhere. Your tribe is out there, and if you can’t find it, create your own.
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Work with others
Have you ever wondered why Thor’s new stormbreaker weapon wasn’t used to destroy all the outriders? Or why Scarlet Witch couldn’t just burn them all? It would have made life so much easier right? Now I’m not a Marvel expert, so I don’t know what legitimate explanations there may be for this not happening, but I do know that even superheroes need help if they are to succeed.
In life, we need each other and working with others creates the bond that we all need. It’s just how we are built. Ask for help when you need it and remember to offer it as well. Don’t let pride get in the way – remember without Groot lifting stormbreaker and providing its handle, Thor’s mighty axe would have been forged.
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Don’t let ambition overtake kindness
Thanos’ ambition was so great that he sacrificed his children to get what he wanted. He sacrificed Gamora, the one person he loved the most in the world, to achieve his ambition.
Ambition is good but it should not make you insensitive to the needs of others. At one point in your life, you will have the chance to be a part of something you treasure. Something that makes you feel like you belong. In your quest, don’t let ambition become so great that it blinds you to the needs of others or leads you to hurt them.
Infinite Opportunities to Belong
If we can realise that likeminded people are looking for the same connection and that by working together and staying sensitive to the needs of others, there is no telling just how far and how deeply we can connect and belong. Just take a look around and you will find ‘infinite’ opportunities to belong and make a difference.
Belonging is a key theme in my fiction writing. To stay in the know about my writing projects and to receive regular writing tips and articles like this, sign up here.
