A guide to becoming the hero of your story…
Any piece of wisdom can be reduced to a cliché, including the indisputable fact that life is a journey.
Nevertheless, one way or another, we are always in motion in an effort to accomplish something and, consciously or otherwise, be transformed in the process. In fact, this metamorphosis is such a normal and integral part of our existence that we often roll our eyes at the banality of it anytime someone repeats the mantra:
It’s about the journey, not the destination…
And so, somewhere along the way (see? — Our point exactly), this wonderful truth often looses it’s meaning. But let’s really ponder on it for a second.
Time might be a relative concept, but change and progress are tangible. Sometimes, we literally pack our suitcases and travel, other times we sit down to work through an emotional problem in our journals – in both instances we arrive either at a location or at a conclusion.
A hero’s journey..
In life the goal and the destination are usual not what gives us orientation. It’s all in the direction because without a sense of direction, we would not be able to go anywhere. But it is the journey that unpacks the real meaning of our escapade. Nowhere is this more visible than in stories.
Hands up if you’ve heard this story plot before — a hero sets out on an adventure, there they overcome a set of obstacles, and a triumphant return home a new and changed person?
In many stories, this is usually a common template. The archetypal hero’s journey is very much a part of our everyday quests as well. And we strive to take you on as many adventures big or small — through our journals and story highlights both on our our site and via our socials.
Why ? Well, because even for us, taking part on the journey it isn’t always obvious that the ‘this’ is our story. Sharing our journey, documenting along the way, every step we take, we are constantly discovering and create ourselves.
So pack your tote bag and let’s go on this adventure to learn more about the hero’s journey and how you too can use it to identify which phase you are at with your own choices, and what steps to take next..
Seperation..
For many, our hero journey starts with the realisation that something is missing in our lives, our life calls us to do something, go somewhere, execute some type of action. With a new sense of awareness, we choose to take on the challenge of fixing that missing piece. This call comes from deep within the soul, prompting us to break from our comfort zone and seek change.
That action throws us into a new world and we answer this call to adventure. Easier said than done — We feel you.
Just as ‘life is a journey’ is such a cliché, going out of your comfort zone is an even bigger one. When you become accustomed to a certain security and sense of comfort it can be challenging to want to change that. For us one thing was certain ― no innovation has ever been achieved by staying in the same place, and no solution has been found by treading the same path.
So, the choice then became simple, you either risk it and learn from potential failure or stay under a warm and cozy blanket of security or make the jump!
The distance from A to B..
In our journey we are committed to change, even if achieving that change may involve challenges. It’s crossing the threshold, about the ordeal and the results that it brings. It’s a phase that requires strength and bravery in order to continue pushing through even when a certain trials may seem impossible.
What we realised is that seeking out allies can be a trial itself because there is vulnerability in asking for help, but help is often needed.
Before that though, there’s struggle — because no one wants to read or hear a story about someone who went through his or her day, comfortably and peacefully. You almost have to loose it all for others to see that you need help.. It’s a hard pill to swallow at the time but think about it. What would Rocky be if he won every fight in the first minute of the first round?
A story needs kind of struggle or conflict (or so it seems). So, expect a little ‘struggle’ and testing moments on your journey — everything from loyalty, to love, beliefs, process and ideas will face some kind of tested — but here is where your hero qualities will be made.
The connections you make, who you make them with and how much you are willing to do to make it happen matters. It’s what will help close the distance in where you are now and where you are looking to go — closing the distance between those A - B points is where your growth is.
Here you will learn and build on your mistakes by letting go of what wasn’t right when you started. Without confront the areas you struggle with or on, the hero in your story can’t fully realise their full potential.
The return..
The final stage of any hero’s journey is your victory and triumphant return home. Though we are still writing this chapter of our hero story. The return of the hero’s journey is about knowing that the place you come back to is the same place you left for adventure, yet somehow, everything is different now.
For us the hero’s journey is a personal one. It is a symbolic representation of the human experience. It about how we all go through similar stages in our lives as we try to find our place in the world. In our stories we undergo unimaginable trials and challenges that stretch us to the limits.
Within that journey, we learn more about ourselves and our potential for transformation. It can be easy to look at other people and be inspired by their stories.. but we are all on a journey, each and every day we continue to writing our story.
There is a circle, a cycle, a process that comes full circle once in. while. Once we realise that life isn’t just a spinning dryer of turbulence. It will help us pick up our sword. And embark on our journey. Knowing there is a better us on the other side.
Consider this a welcoming point to keep moving forward in writing your story. You never know how it will come full circle…
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