Episode #5: Pausing to Feel the Web

Listen to Episode #5

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Hi Liam. Here’s another look at one of Spider-Man’s Quiet Powers as it’s described in the following story.

A boy’s grandfather was watching his grandson’s thumbs fly across the controller. On the screen, Spider-Man was tangled in a chaotic web of digital thugs, losing health fast.

"He's gonna get clobbered," his grandson muttered, his jaw tight. "I'm always half-a-second too slow."

Grandpa leaned forward, a low chuckle in his throat. "You know, that's not what makes him a hero." His grandson glanced at him, eyebrows furrowed. "It's not the web-shooters or the super strength. The real trick is that little tingle, that spider-sense. The one that forces him to pause."

He tapped the side of his own head. "He feels it before he sees it. That's a Quiet Power. And we have it too."

Grandpa leaned back, picking up a smooth, gray stone from the table and placing it in his grandson's palm. "Your power isn't about fighting bad guys. It's about pausing before you slam the controller down. It's about listening to that little feeling that tells you to take a breath. That's the real hero's journey."

We often think of superpowers as grand, explosive feats — the kind that level city blocks. But what if the most potent power is something subtle, an internal alarm that whispers to us? Spider-Man's "spider-sense" is one of these quiet powers. It's not about strength or speed, but about a sudden awareness that forces him to pause.

When the spider-sense "tingles," his body reacts involuntarily, alerting him to immediate danger. We have our own internal spider-sense, a feeling in our gut, a subtle shift in our mood, or a sudden tightening in our chest. This is our body’s way of telling us to pause and pay attention.

After the pause, Spider-Man must notice. He scans his environment, looking for the source of the danger. He doesn't just react blindly; he becomes aware of his surroundings. We can do the same. Once we pause, we can take a moment to notice what is happening, both within and around us. We can acknowledge our feelings without judgment, just as Spider-Man notices the falling debris without panicking.

Finally, after noticing, Spider-Man returns to the situation with a clear plan. He's not acting on a whim but with purpose, informed by his spider-sense.

This is the ultimate goal of our mindful pause. By taking a moment to notice, we can return to our real-life situations, whether it's a difficult conversation, a moment of stress, or a choice we need to make, with greater clarity and intention.

And remember, Noticing is Half the Battle.