Before I dive into today’s topic, a quick update on my agent query submission, as you’ve been kind enough to show interest: in spite of the strange “Border Security” reply message, the error was wholly mine. I have now added an “s” in the address – making submission(s)@___.com . It went through this time! You, too, may be so very close to success that the obstacle facing you seems large, but in truth is a matter of doing something small.
Each of us is the hero in our own epic journey (life). It’s revealing to look at the hero’s journey as described by renowned scholar of mythology, Joseph Campbell. There are lots of things written about it, and I’m no expert, so I won’t describe the stages here. I want to say two things about the hero’s journey in relation to our own:
- The journey is driven by two opposing forces: what the hero wants, or desperately needs, and the forces of conflict keeping her from reaching her goal.
(Doesn’t “forces of conflict” sound like Resistance – which I’ve been writing about?)
- In every hero’s journey, the Call to Adventure is followed by “Refusal of the Call.”
I want to ask you, what call you are currently refusing? Most of us have a sense of ourselves that doesn’t include the word “hero.” So considering ourselves a hero is the first step. It’s true; after all, that we are the main character the drama of our lives unfolds around.
Refusing the call sounds like: “I couldn’t possibly do that, I’m not______ enough.” Insert brave, powerful, clever, pretty, popular, wealthy, or any other adjective you associate with the “ones who succeed.” Refusing the call most often comes from a feeling of inadequacy, or fear of the unknown. You’ve felt this, right? You are a hero, like it or not!
In a story, the next thing that happens is the hero is forced into the journey by the opposition. Something terrible happens that leaves her no choice but to take action. If she wants to (save the world,) she has to do something about the bad guy.
What’s “the bad guy” in your journey? What’s the one thing you would change about this world if you possibly could? Your journey to change that thing becomes your message to the world. The obstacles you face, as you work to transform it, is the conflict that drives your journey forward. Facing those obstacles is how you ultimately succeed.
What obstacle are you refusing to deal with? That obstacle might be large, or small and wily like so many forms of Resistance.
So many of us learned to avoid conflict at all costs – we are entirely oblivious to the fact that that very conflict is driving our heroic journey. If we avoid it, something even worse comes along to kick us in the patooty. So why wait to be forced forward?
Coach’s Challenge: Answer your call. And let me know what obstacle pops up next.
