There seems to be a special day for everything anymore, but I have to say that National Comic Book Day on September 25th is among the coolest (second only to donut day). It is pure magic when stories are told by dazzling pictures, timeless characters, and speech balloons. So magical in fact that the adaptation into movies is taking Hollywood by storm.

They are more than a just pretty picture, and here to demonstrate the depth of content are ten comic book inspired lessons to live by:

1. “I need a day when there aren’t twenty crises to deal with, but I don’t see that coming any time soon.”

– Iron Man (Captain America #29)

Moms wrote the book on multitasking, and I would even say I didn’t know what multitasking was until I became a mom. Yet this is a superhero ability with some drawbacks, so be careful. There are times when we don’t finish something because we are juggling too many things, or the quality isn’t what it could have been if you were doing one thing at a time. Also, keep priorities in mind. Be present when your family needs your full attention.

But the overall idea of multitasking is to find shortcuts and life hacks that save you time, and also helps you manage many tasks at a time.

That is just survival.

2. “The future is worth it. All the pain. All the tears. The future is worth the fight.”

– Martian Manhunter (Martian Manhunter Vol 2 #1,000,000)

This sounds all too familiar. The long days, sleepless nights, the days when you feel like you can’t take one more minute of sibling fights, or the mornings when you’re running out the door late for school… One day they will thank you, or maybe they won’t.

It doesn’t matter either way, because you know the work of a mom is long lasting and heroic. It’s worth the fight.

3. “Nay, father. Some of us have been killing giants today and aren’t in the mood to have a tea party.”

– Thor, (Thor: Ages of Thunder [Herois Marvel #4])

It’s okay to have boundaries, especially considering all we do as moms. Setting boundaries is an act of self respect and without them we create dysfunctional relationships. Not all things that seem good are meant for you, so if the situation doesn’t feel right or imposes on your schedule, pass on it. Don’t feel guilty for taking care of yourself.

4. “It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.”

– Batman (Batman Begins)

Our actions make a difference. Kissing knee scrapes, leaving a supportive note in their school lunchbox, or driving our kids all over the state for club soccer games, we are defining our supportive role to our children every day.

It would be nice to have a mask to throw on at school drop-off though.

5. “All right, y’all! Four-eyes is history, his ghoulies are gone, and we just saved the whole dang universe! Who wants french toast?”

– Cyborg (Teen Titans)

Breakfast is a meal, any time of the day. After fighting all the ghoulies, we sometimes need an easy task that still shows our little ones they are more important than all of the universe.

Plus we can always get bonus points from them for serving breakfast for dinner.

6. “When you decide not to be afraid, you can find friends in super unexpected places.”

– Ms. Marvel (Ms. Marvel #8)

When you are a child, its hard not to make friends. As an adult, we get busy and our friendships start looking like an occasional text on holidays and birthdays. We grow apart from people when our lives change, and that leaves us looking around wondering how we ended up, well, alone.

Numerous studies show that friendships are important for your emotional health and happiness. Being vulnerable, open to going new places, and joining a neighborhood group are some good ways to find some fantastic girlfriends. Do it for your health!

7. “If you cage the beast, the beast will get angry.”

– Wolverine (X-Men 3)

Speaking of making friends, it is always a good idea to spend time with them. Even if we work or donate our time outside of the home, we still need a night out with the girls once in awhile. Let’s just commit to making Mom’s Night Out a non-negotiable routine.

We deserve it and need some time with our Legion of Moms to recharge, laugh, and maybe even cry together about how big our kids are getting. Because I agree with Wolverine that a caged beast is an angry one.

8. “All we can do is our best, and sometimes the best we can do is start over.”

– Agent Peggy Carter (Captain America: The First Avenger)

You are not a villain if you need a fresh start. Sometimes we just need a new day, or a whole new direction. That’s okay. Just put one foot in front of the other and those little steps will help get you to where you need to be. Most importantly, always have grace for yourself and reach out when you need help. Every step of this new start will prove how durable you really are and make you a better role model for your child.

9. “The fate of your planet rests not in the hands of gods. It rests in the hands of mortals.”

– Thor (Thor: Heaven & Earth #2)

It’s not science fiction that we are raising mortals that will have the fate of our planet in their hands. With the natural resources on the decline and population on the incline, they are taking over a planet they are going to be responsible to clean up someday. It’s a good idea to consider teaching our children at a young age about taking care of our planet, and in turn, the residents here.

10. “You’re much stronger than you think you are, trust me.”

– Superman (All-Star Superman #10)

As a mom, you have been through an emotional and most likely a physical process to have a child. We marvel at the beauty handed to us, and we are the defender of their happiness from the very beginning. We try to inspire our children to be amazing little heroes, and pray and cry often because we feel like we don’t know how to do it to the extent they deserve.

Moms are full of hope and patience and love unconditionally. We are lifesavers, guardians, and most days need superhuman grit and grace.

So, remember on this National Comic Book Day, and always, you are a superhero and you are much stronger than you think you are.

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