What’s your Kryptonite?

(I first published this piece in February 2019. I’ve added a few extra items near the bottom of my list.)

In the comic book world, Superman was brought to his knees by Kryptonite. He’d be kicking some bad guy’s butt and Lex Luther or one villain or another would sneak some Kryptonite onto the scene and all bets would be off.

Kryptonite, the green, crystal-like mineral would weaken and sicken Superman. He’d be crushed to his knees. Of course, Superman is Superman and he’d eventually figure a way of out of the situation.

I’m no super hero, I’m just a normal every day father, husband, and son, but I can still relate. In real life, several things bring me to my knees, preventing me from living my best life.

See how they compare for you.

–Small talk. (See my blog last week, Talkin’ about small talk, and you’ll understand.)

–Meetings that start late, take too long, and could really have been handled by email.

–Being a perfectionist and pleasing others. I’m a people pleaser. I hate to see others upset. It’s great for client service, it stinks for everything else.

–Snacks between the hours of 5 to 8:30 p.m.

–Pizza and soft pretzels. It’s a Philly thing.

–Fear of failure. I’m an achiever. I like to get things done and check things off my list. No one likes to fail, but I really get bothered by it.

–Being so busy with work, home and everything in between that I’m not able to write. Those conditions all boiled together make for a grumpy Brian.

–Movies that I can’t stop watching. If I’ve seen them once, I’ve seen them a thousand times. Some are great, some are not, but they have a power over me. You know what I’m talking about, everything from Shawshenk Redemption; Ocean’s Eleven; Sweet Home Alabama; Brian’s Song; Notting Hill, and every movie Keanu Reeves has ever made with Point Break and The Replacements at the top of the list. Like a bad accident, I just can’t look away. If I run across them, I’m in for the long haul.

Here’s a few more items from 2025:

–My local Wawa sells Blow Pop Inside Outs. They’re gumballs filled with crushed lollipop gum, Cherry, Watermelon, Grape, and Blue Razz. I see a gumball and I’m like a ten-year-old kid again. Do I need the sugar? No! Do I need the wasted calories? Absolutely no! But the silly gum attracts me every time I stop in Wawa to grab gas or a coffee.

–Personal Improvement books and videos. I’m a “how to” junkie.

–Old photos of my kids. I’ll be cranking out the work. I take a break to check a text and my wife sends me an old picture of the kids. I’ll remember another photo just like it and I’m off to the races looking after photo after photo.

–Well intentions. So many people are looking out for themselves. When someone tries to do something for another person, no matter their faults, I’m on board. I appreciate their sincerity.

Fortunately, like the Man of Steel, I will overcome my weaknesses. I will battle back. I will win out over the forces of evil.

What’s your Kryptonite?