Personal Stories are like a Superpower

Some stories aren't chosen—they're thrust upon us. Born from trauma, loss, survival, or wild circumstances, these personal narratives cling to us whether or not we ever ask to carry them. And once we do, owning those stories becomes a responsibility—almost like having a superpower.

When you're gifted not only with a powerful story but also the rare ability to tell it—to shape it with truth and resonance—you carry a dual burden: to give hope to those still running the gauntlet behind you and to protect the innocent watching from the sidelines.

But the villain? I owe them no courtesy. I'm not the keeper of wickedness, whether it arrived through cruelty or carelessness. I cannot offer the villain the same promise of power, as I am not the keeper of wicked, nefarious, unwitting, or otherwise. Careful telling the story. An unwieldy story holds secrets about the characters within.