The Potential to be a Hero
Is fear stopping you from pursuing your dream? The story you tell yourself about yourself is the most important story you have to tell.
We all have the potential to be heroes, to leave the ordinary world and embark on a journey, to gain new knowledge. Therefore making a difference in the world. But you don’t have to wait for a magical call to adventure. You can apply the hero’s journey to your own life, using it as a roadmap for personal growth and self-discovery.
How the Hero’s Journey is Found in Myths and Stories
According to Joseph Campbell, the hero’s journey is a narrative pattern that can be found in the myths and stories of many cultures. It describes the journey of a hero as they embark on an adventure, before returning home with new knowledge and power.
Stages of the hero’s journey for personal growth
When it comes to personal growth, the hero’s journey can be broken down into the following stages:
- The call to adventure: This is the moment when you realize that there is something missing in your life, and you feel compelled to make a change. It could be a new job, a new relationship, or a new hobby. Whatever it is, it’s the first step towards your journey.
- The refusal of the call: Change can be scary, and it’s natural to feel resistance. This is the stage where you might question whether you’re ready for the journey or not. But remember, as Campbell writes, “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.”
- The meeting with the mentor: As you embark on your journey, you’ll find that there are people who can guide and advise you along the way. They could be friends, family, or even strangers. They are the ones who will help you prepare for the journey and provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed. We tend to over-glamorize the lone genius, underestimating the power of mentors to help us on our journey.
- Crossing the threshold: This is the stage where you take the leap of faith and leave the ordinary world behind. It could be quitting your job, ending a relationship, or moving to a new city. Whatever it is, it’s the moment when you fully commit to the journey.
- Road of Trials: The hero faces a series of challenges or obstacles. This could involve being outside of your comfort zone, learning new skills, as well as failures. In this stage, the hero develops the strength and resilience they need to overcome the obstacles in their path.
- The return home: This is the stage where you return to the ordinary world, having completed your journey and gained new knowledge and power. It’s the stage where you get to apply what you’ve learned and make a difference in your own life, and the lives of others.
The Hero as a Symbol of Growth and Self-Discovery
The hero’s journey is not just a narrative pattern found in myths and stories, it’s a fundamental part of the human experience. Therefore, by applying the hero’s journey to our own lives, we can use it as a roadmap for personal growth and self-discovery. Campbell suggests that the hero is a symbol of the human potential for growth and self-discovery. He argues that the hero’s journey is a reflection of the journey that each person must take in order to become their true self.
The Connection to Something Greater
Campbell contends that myths are not only an important part of human culture but also play a vital role in the human experience. He suggests that myth helps individuals understand the world and their place in it. Therefore, providing us a way to connect with something greater than ourselves.
Making a Change in the Ordinary World
Campbell stresses the importance of the return home, the hero’s return to the ordinary world after the journey. He argues that this return is vital for the hero to integrate the knowledge and power gained on the journey. In order to apply it to the ordinary world to make a change.
The Wrap Up
So, take a moment to reflect on your own life. Are you on your own hero’s journey? What is your call to adventure? Who is your mentor? And most importantly, what difference do you want to make in your own life or the world? Remember, as Campbell writes, “The adventure of the hero is the adventure of being alive.” By understanding the hero’s journey, you can apply the principles to your own life. In order to embark on your own journey of personal growth and self-discovery.
