Recently at work I was commiserating with a coworker about a similar issue we were experiencing, but needed to solve separately. She wished me luck and, with a fist raised in the air, I responded in my best manly voice, “I have the power!” She looked at me like I was crazy (not a rarity between us), but she’s also close to half my age, so she didn’t get my nod to He-Man.

As a child, I thought I was Wonder Woman. I introduced myself as Diana Prince (except it sounded like “Pwince”). I would twirl around in the yard, simulating my change into superheroine status. I had the lasso of truth, the bullet-deflecting bracelets, the tiara, and the invisible plane, all in my imagination, of course. The plane was the easiest to convince others that I had since, well, it was invisible.

I also had a slight obsession with He-Man. I had the action figure, including his trusty allies, Battle Cat, and the goofy sorcerer, Orko. Castle Greyskull was a show-stopping gift at my 5th birthday party. Oh boy, were my friends jealous! I loved the show, and I loved He-Man, the Most Powerful Man in the Universe!

I find it amusing that more than 35 years later, I’m still referencing this character when I need a boost of courage. It makes me wonder who kids are looking up to these days. In 30 years, when they’re feeling anxious or need to solve a problem, will they ask themselves, “What would my role models do?” And if so, what would be their next steps? Kids are watching TikTokers copy ten second dance routines. Will they try to dance their way out a situation? They watch YouTubers play with toys, experiment with life hacks, and recreate things that already exist. Will future adults have any confidence or imagination to try things on their own and figure things out for themselves? I hope Superheroes last forever, so that good will always win, and so that Super-Kids will become Super-Adults, who will always be strong and courageous. I know what lessons I’m teaching my Super-Kid!