How To Use Science To Discover Your Superpowers

I heart nerds. Really, I mean it. To spend time with a brainy and usually quite funny person discussing ideas and theories of how our universe works is my idea of a good time. I love learning and (trying) to keep up with technology, so when I first moved to Geneva, I made a reservation for a friend and I to visit CERN.

The tour was fascinating- lead by a charmingly disheveled PhD, who did a pretty good job of explaining, in layman’s terms, complex subjects like matter, antimatter and quarks. CERN has an aura of secrecy and mystery, so it was cool to peek inside.

The highlight of our visit was getting a private invitation (thank you nerdy-hot science guy!) to the CERN employee cafeteria. For a random Tuesday, the place was buzzing! There was an excitement in the air and we ended up sharing a table and amazing conversation with two particle physicists from Italy. We chatted about dark matter (well, I listened as they explained) and the conversation turned to their search for the very origins of our universe and how these incredible discoveries might impact their belief in The Devine. Both of our new friends strongly stated one does not preclude the other.

I thought it was lovely that the pursuit of science and faith in a higher power were harmonious to these physicists. I’ve since met several scientists doing research at CERN and they all say the same thing: we are all connected to the universe and to each other by our molecules and atoms that originated from exploding stars. We are, in fact, stardust. It’s kind of mind blowing to think about. But it’s real.

This week, the huge CERN announcement made world headlines. Many call it the biggest scientific discovery of the 21st Century. You can read why people are so excited here.

The Higgs boson discovery says there is an existence of an invisible force field and associated sub-atomic particle that permeates all things, working like glue to give form to stars, planets and even humans.

So, we’re all made up of stardust and we’re bound by an invisible force field. Sounds like Superman, right?

Now that you know how truly connected we all are to each other, you can unlock your own superpowers.

It’s actually very simple: just share your passion with others.

Sing
Write
Bake
Play the ukulele
Teach
Refurbish classic cars
Volunteer
Invent
Build houses
Practice Savasana
Make art
Travel
Recreate your grandma’s recipes
Take photographs
Vote
Defend the underdog
Ride your bike
Clean up a beach
Raise great kids
Garden
Climb mountains
Perfect your BBQ sauce
Swim in the ocean (dive with sharks!)
Fight for equality
Coach little league
Love unconditionally

Whatever you do, when you share your passion you are at your most alive, most happy and most connected to those around you. The stardust in you recognizes the stardust in everyone else, because it all came from the same place. When we recognize each other that level, magical things happen. Belonging, joy, love, forgiveness, gratitude, serenity and hope overflow. That, I think, is a real superpower and we have science AND faith to thank for it.

The cosmos is also within us
We’re made of star stuff
We are a way for the cosmos to know itself

Across the sea of space
The stars are other suns
We have traveled this way before
And there is much to be learned
- Carl Sagan