How Can I Be Superman?

Seven continents, hundreds of countries, thousands of cities, and seven billion people. Our planet is huge, without a doubt. We often hear of people’s “grand master plan” to change or save the world, to make a difference in the greater good of humanity. But how can one person help the whole world? How can I be that superman?

At our cores, we all want to help make the world a better place. But, sometimes, it’s a daunting and uncomfortable task. What does it take to be a superhero, you ask? Here is my take on saving the world, the Jewish way:

The Lubavitcher Rebbe compiled a book, Hayom Yom, which Lubavitchers read and learn from daily. Each day gives a dose of inspiration or sheds light on Chabad customs.

The Hayom Yom of today reads: “The Alter Rebbe interpreted the statement, ‘Whoever saves a single person of (the people) Israel is as though he saved an entire world.’…,Each soul stands with all the generations destined to descend from it until the coming of Mashiach, the righteous Redeemer. When one does a favor to an individual, it is a favor to all those souls until the end of all generations.”

After contemplating, I couldn’t help but think about my morning. My alarm didn’t go off, the shower felt like antarctica, and my dress did not make me feel fabulous. And how right after instead of offering a friend help carrying loads of books to school, I left it alone. I let my bad mood win.

Comes the Hayom Yom of today and argues that you don’t need to be in a good mood to be a superhero. In fact, you don’t even need to be super.  “A single person” is all it takes. Simplicity. By just doing that one small act for a fellow Jew, you’re not just helping him, you’re helping every single one of his descendants. You could be saving a whole world of people, if you choose to fight that battle.

So how can you be superman? Look at the big picture. Instead of focusing on the immediate situation, i.e bad mood, but pursue all the possible outcomes. The Alter Rebbe reveals just how big the picture really is. It’s more than just me, you, and everyone surrounding us. It’s about those who are going to come after us, and after them, and after them, and so on.

Making a difference in the world starts with you, and it starts now. No action is too big or too small.  So, what are you waiting for?