My favorite action movie growing up was 'Supergirl.' It wasn't

O children of the world, gather close, for there is a tale hidden in the heart of the words spoken by Adrianne Palicki. She declared: "My favorite action movie growing up was 'Supergirl.' It wasn't good by any stretch of the imagination, but it was my favorite because I wanted to be her. I have a Supergirl tattoo." These words, though simple, carry within them a deep and powerful truth about identity, aspiration, and the stories that shape us. They remind us that it is not always the perfection of the world we admire, but the qualities of the hero that resonate deeply within our souls.

In the youth of the world, we all search for heroes, for figures who embody our dreams, our strengths, and even our desires. Adrianne Palicki's choice, the Supergirl, speaks not of the movie's quality or acclaim, but of the deeper, human longing for something greater. To be Supergirl was not merely to wear a costume or to fly above the earth—no, it was to feel the strength within, to be both empowered and vulnerable at once. She wanted to be the hero, to embody the courage and the hope that a hero represents, no matter how the world may view the story.

Indeed, many of us choose our heroes not for their perfection, but because they represent something we wish to see in ourselves. The heroic figure, like Supergirl, embodies possibility—the idea that we, too, can rise above our struggles and become something greater than we ever imagined. In this light, the tattoo that Adrianne Palicki bears upon her body is more than ink upon skin; it is a symbol, a constant reminder of the strength and bravery she admired as a child and strives to embody as an adult. Symbols are powerful, for they act as anchors, connecting us to the deepest parts of our soul, reminding us of who we once dreamed of becoming.

Consider the great Alexander the Great, who in his youth looked to the heroes of ancient myth, seeing in them the path to his own greatness. Just as Alexander was inspired by the myths of gods and warriors, so too does Adrianne Palicki draw upon the myth of Supergirl. Alexander, in his boundless ambition, did not seek perfection but sought to emulate the qualities he saw in the heroes—bravery, determination, and the belief that one could shape their fate, no matter how impossible it seemed. And so, Adrianne’s love for Supergirl, despite the movie’s flaws, shows us that it is not perfection that shapes us but aspiration.

In this world of imperfection, we are often led astray by the pursuit of flawlessness. But the true lesson lies in recognizing that it is imperfection that makes us human. Even the heroic is not without its flaws, yet it is these very imperfections that allow us to relate to them. Supergirl may not have been the perfect film, but it was the hero within her that called to the young soul of Adrianne. Imperfection does not make the hero less; rather, it makes the hero more accessible, more human, and more worthy of our emulation.

So, O children, take this lesson with you: Seek the heroes that resonate within your own heart, whether they are in the pages of a comic book or the stories of history. They do not need to be perfect. They do not need to be flawless. What matters is that they ignite something deep within you—the desire to rise, to overcome, and to embody the best parts of who you wish to become. Heroes are not made of perfection, but of aspiration, strength, and the willingness to face the world with courage, no matter the obstacles in their path.

Let the example of Adrianne Palicki, and of all those who have looked to heroes for inspiration, remind you of the power of identity and the journey toward becoming the person you were always meant to be. Whether through a tattoo, a story, or the very actions you take, wear your hero’s qualities proudly. Like Supergirl, you too have the power to soar. So, dream boldly, and aspire to the greatness that lies within you, for you are the hero of your own story.