We all have people that we look up to, people whose life experiences we can learn from. It could be anyone: from a scientist, an athlete, to a social activist. Well, what about a man who prowls through the night fighting crime in a bat costume?
Batman didn't exactly win the superhero lottery, so to speak. He doesn’t have an alien heritage nor does he have mutant or magic powers to rely on. His intellect, will power and other such human qualities are his real superpowers. And as crazy and unrealistic as it may seem Batman/Bruce Wayne can be the best and without doubt the coolest role model anyone can find.
Here are the top ten things that can be learnt from our favourite caped crusader...
1. FIND YOUR PURPOSE
Why do you do what you do? Even multi-billionaire Bruce Wayne (AKA Batman), had to look into his past to find his true purpose in life. Bruce’s vow on his parent’s grave:"I will rid the city of the evil that took your lives." became his purpose and that purpose created Batman. Without purpose, life can seem to be a meaningless existence.
2. SLAY YOUR DRAGONS
Bruce Wayne had many dragons to slay - grief, loss, death, but the only way to move forward with his life was to confront those dragons and fears head on. He embraced his fears and made his enemies share his dread. His fear became his catalyst. Tip toeing around our fears and limitations gets us nowhere. The only way to get rid of an obstacle is to confront it and defeat it.
3. DO THE DIRTY WORK
Batman went through blood, sweat and tears to protect Gotham. In fact, he was so committed to his mission that he willingly took the fall for others when it was necessary to. We sometimes just have to step up and take charge, even when the going gets tough and it involves working outside of our comfort zone.
4. UNITY IS STRENGTH
Gotham City wasn’t saved by Batman alone. In the end it was a group effort, led by Batman that rescued the city from destruction. We can’t do everything on our own, and even when we try to, the end result is nowhere near as big as when you allow others to help you achieve your goals.
5. STAY COOL UNDER PRESSURE
One of Batman’s notable qualities is his ability to stay cool. Even in the face of fear-inducing scarecrows and mad clowns, he is able to exude an aura of calmness. What we can take away from Batman’s cool is how important attitude is, especially when confronted with unexpected and disorienting challenges and when dealing with difficult or even hostile people.
6. SACRIFICE IS KEY TO SURVIVAL
In order to achieve anything in life, you must be willing to sacrifice. Bruce Wayne sacrificed his wealth and trained several years to fight injustice. He gave up his personal life. He did all this willingly and knowing he would never get recognition for his actions.
7. MONEY ISN’T EVERYTHING
Bruce Wayne values love and family more than his personal wealth. Nothing of what he does is repaid by money or recognition or even gratitude at times. He loves his city and that love is why he feels indebted to protect it, both publicly as Bruce Wayne and privately as Batman. He is the perfect example of how money can be used as a tool instead of a goal.
8. BE RESOURCEFUL
Bruce Wayne has a lot of resources, thanks to his huge fortune, thus Batman is well equipped for virtually any situation. Even without his trademark suit and gadgets, Batman is still ingenious and calculating, still capable of devising plans to escape pit-prisons and save Gotham from a nuclear explosion. The point is to maximize what’s around you.
9. CONSTANTLY IMPROVE YOURSELF
In order to become Batman, Bruce trained incredibly hard to build his physical and mental strength and was not afraid to put himself in difficult conditions. In fact, he worked himself to the peak of human perfection. So, you may be good at what you do, but always find ways to better your performance.
10. LEAVE A LEGACY
Years, decades and centuries from now the city of Gotham will remember Batman as a hero, a legend who helped save their city. He has left a legacy which will inspire many to go beyond their limitations and rise above well after he is gone.
To me, Batman is something more than a fictional character from graphic novels and movies. He represents the constant struggle we face in our daily lives and the fear we hide deep within. But most of all he represents HOPE. The quote from the movie ‘Batman Begins’: “It’s not who you are from the inside, but what you do that defines you.” describes all that Batman is about and all that we can strive to be. Think about it, it just takes all these qualities for any of us to be Batman.
Ayesha Iftiqhar is an engineering graduate from Maharaja Institute of Technology and a member of our organization. She is currently pursuing her masters degeree and resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, US
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