365 Squarey Monsters: The Superpower Hiding in Plain Sight

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If you're a fan of movies, you've probably noticed how popular superhero films are these days. We're drawn to characters who defy gravity, stop speeding trains, or reshape reality in other ways to save the world just before the end credits roll.

Walking out of theaters, I often hear people talking about what they'd do if they had a superpower. The truth is, all of us already do. It doesn't involve a cape or special effects, but it can change how people feel. Sometimes, that's what's needed to save the day.

So, what is this superpower? It's our ability to connect with other people.

You reveal this power when you check in with a loved one, chat with a friend, or even nod to a stranger. Connecting with people reminds them they matter and sets off ripple effects that extend further than anyone realizes.

Longtime readers of the Celebrations Pulse may have noticed that I often return to this idea. I usually capture it with a reminder: Use your power. As we begin a new year, it's a good time to explore our superpower and why it matters.

Answering the signal

Every superhero story has a villain. In ours, it's the epidemic of loneliness. Technology has made it easier to stay in touch, yet harder to feel really connected. Over time, those shallow connections can leave relationships more fragile than before.

Research shows that loneliness and social isolation carry real consequences for physical and mental health, from higher rates of depression and anxiety to an increased risk of heart disease. A former U.S. Surgeon General has described loneliness as a major public health crisis.

The problem can feel overwhelming as it's easy to assume it requires large-scale solutions that are beyond any one person's reach. But relationships don't start with sweeping initiatives. They begin one person at a time, which is where our superpower comes into play.

Each of us carries more influence than we realize, and small actions shape how people around us feel. Send the text you've been meaning to send, make a call instead of putting it off, or start a conversation without knowing where it will lead.

The Harvard Study of Adult Development, which has followed participants for decades, has found that people with strong relationships live happier, healthier lives. The impact of our superpower, when we choose to use it, is very real.

The power behind the power

The idea that better relationships lead to better lives isn't new, and it helps to look to ancient philosophy — specifically Stoicism — to understand why it's so enduring. Long before modern research, the Stoics pointed in the same direction. They believed a good life isn't built on control alone, but on attention and the focus of our energy where it can make a difference.

Marcus Aurelius wrote that human beings are made for cooperation. Strength, in his view, comes from understanding our place in something larger than yourself. That way of thinking helps explain why relationships matter so much: Our interconnection grounds us.

When I talk about using your power, I mean focusing on what's within your reach and leaving the world just a little better than you found it. You can't solve loneliness everywhere, but you can reach out to one person.

I learned that lesson years ago as a counselor at St. John's Residence for Boys, which I revisited recently . Those years showed me how much influence one person can have through small choices like saying hello, showing interest, and not giving up on a conversation too quickly.

The Achilles' heel of connection

Every superhero has a weakness. For Superman, it's kryptonite. Batman is shaped by emotional restraint, and Iron Man learns that confidence, left unchecked, can become a liability.

Our superpower of connection has a vulnerability, and it tends to live in our heads. I see it when I walk with friends along a nearby beach. While I'm in the habit of greeting people we pass, one friend once told me how awkward that makes him feel.

That reaction points to our weakness: hesitation. It's the belief that reaching out might be intrusive or unwelcome. We tell ourselves a greeting might be misunderstood, or a small gesture won't matter much. Those thoughts shape how we act.

In practice, these interactions rarely go badly. At worst, you'll get a polite nod in return; sometimes you'll stop and chat, and now and then, something more meaningful begins.

Those small moments of connection can save the world from loneliness — if you choose to use your power.

All the best,

In this week's episode of Power & Impact, I sit down with Azeem Azhar, a leading expert on the rapid growth of technology, to explore how acceleration itself is shaping the way we work and make decisions. As AI becomes part of everyday life, its influence extends well beyond business, reaching into education, family life, and the expectations we place on institutions.

Azeem's perspective is shaped by an education at Oxford and years spent examining how technological progress compounds over time. He explains why change often feels sudden, and why the pace we're experiencing today is closer to exponential than linear.

We discuss what this shift means in practice, from AI-native companies redefining work to the growing importance of adaptability and judgment for young people entering the workforce.

This episode offers a clear-eyed look at how to stay oriented in a world that keeps speeding up, and how to lead with intention when the future refuses to move in a straight line.

What do you think? Share your thoughts here.

Our community's resolutions for 2026

One of the gifts of the new year is the chance to ask ourselves what we want to carry forward and what we're ready to change. Each January, I look forward to reading the goals and resolutions shared by members of the Celebrations Pulse community.

Many of you are focusing less on big declarations and more on small but inspiring steps toward healing, clarity, and connection. Here's a sampling:

"I don't use the word resolution. I set specific but fun goals — creating 10 new recipes, reading 10 books, taking at least one vacation, and setting aside days just to spend with my nieces." — Daniela

"I'm taking your advice from last week's Celebrations Pulse and focusing on staying better connected to friends and family." — Val

"Reading your letter reminded me that I often forget what is most important in my life. This year, I intend to reach out to others and let them know I care." — Katherine

"My goal this year is to take my house room by room — purge, deep clean, and organize — with help from my kids. It feels overwhelming, but with a plan, I hope to finish every room, plus the garage and shed, by the end of 2026." — Kelley

"My New Year's resolution is to recover completely from pneumonia. The progress is slow, but I'm focusing on small steps and holding on to belief." — Becky

Thanks to everyone who took the time to write and share your hopes for the year ahead. Your words are a reminder that new beginnings are often built one small step at a time.

Why January is for trying something new

January is National Hobby Month, which feels like good timing. The holidays are behind us, and there's finally a little space to pick something up again — or start something you've been curious about.

A hobby can be as simple as working with your hands, cooking, learning an instrument, or spending time outdoors. May I even suggest flower arranging or parenting houseplants?

Start with something you enjoy, and you may be surprised by who you meet along the way. A class, a club, a local meet-up, or even an online group can turn a personal pastime into a shared experience. Over time, those moments of overlap often grow into friendships.

January is a great time to think about where you are and where you want to be. Taking up or embracing a hobby can help you reawaken curiosity, restore balance, and let something new take root as the year unfolds.

What an IQ score really means

My friend, Dr. Dan Willingham, a cognitive psychologist and member of our Connectivity Council, recently addressed a question many parents and grandparents ask: What does an IQ score actually tell us?

The answer is simpler than most people think. An IQ score is not a measure of a child's learning potential or an inner "essence." It's a snapshot of how well a child answers certain kinds of questions right now — the ones schools tend to ask. It predicts performance, but it doesn't explain ability or set limits on it.

That distinction matters. Decades of research show that intelligence changes as schooling and better environments raise IQ scores. Time, encouragement, and sustained support also matter.

This serves as a reminder: Children aren't defined by a number. They grow into their thinking through experience, opportunity, and the people who keep showing up to help them learn.

Sunday, January 11, 2026

The Superpower Hiding in Plain Sight

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