The Hero's Journey: How We Grow, One Quest at a Time

Scratch the surface of most books, movies, and plays, and you'll see that the story line is some form of  The Hero's (or Heroine's) Journey.  Why does this template resonate with us, and make us feel like we "just couldn't put that book down"?

We feel this resonance because we have experienced this journey in our own lives.  These quests result in changes in our level of understanding and growth. Some of us are going through this process now.  Those of us who are willing to grow and stretch will set out on more of these journeys. 

The Quest may look to be mostly inner or outer, but we as humans have a holistic nature.  The journey will change us in both ways.  Most of us don't go somewhere like Machu Picchu (pictured below)  just "because it was there."  It may look like an outer quest, but we are changed to the core when we return.

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/The Power of Forever Photography

This is the first post of a series I have planned on this topic.  In this post, I'd like to give you an overview of the Quest structure, and then we'll explore the first few phases more closely in the next post.

If this post brings to mind one of your journeys, and you're willing to share it, please click "Comments" and tell us about it.  I believe that the more we use this blog to create community, the more we can enrich each other.  It's especially valuable in this time of economic sluggishness.

O.K., here's the overview of the Hero or Heroine's Quest, along with relevant photos:

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/PeskyMonkey

1) The hero-to-be  is at home, enjoying relative calm.
2) He hears the Call of the Quest.
3) He resists the Call because it has unknown risks, and he hesitates to leave his comfortable,  familiar environment.  He doubts that he can successfully complete the Quest. 
4) The Call gets too loud to resist.  Something or someone he cares about deeply is at risk.
5) The Hero accepts the Call, and he leaves his familiar environment to set out into the unknown.
6) He meets some unlikely but helpful friends along the way.
7) He's faced with a series of inner and outer obstacles along the way.
8) The most crucial part of the mission must be faced by the hero alone.
9) The successful hero returns home with a new perspective of himself and of life.  

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/DNY59

Thanks,

Susan

P.S.  I  would like to give you a clear look at what I deliver as a Coach.  I'll discuss these items in more detail in future posts.  For now, I'll share the main points with you.

What I Bring to Our Coaching Relationship

~I enrich your "thinking environment."~

~I'm a catalyst for positive changes in you, so you can become the person you need to be to reach your goals.~

~I assist you in creating action plans that will carry you forward between our sessions.~

If you have any questions, or you'd like a complimentary exploratory session (by phone or in person), you can reach me here.

P.P.S. My post from June 21, 2012, called Enlightenment, the Sequel, is on the list of my top 
ten most popular posts, according to my Blogger stats.  Please check it out!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are (c) Susan Cleaver.***

***Member of  the TriCounty Network at www.tcnetwork.org.***

Hidden in Plain Sight

       Boundaries and Bridges: Your Interactions with Others

As we move into this new subtopic in our search for "Audacious Self-Care" this year, I want to explore our interactions with a rather ethereal other...the creative Muse.

O.K., I think I know what you're saying....

"'Sounds like fun...you go first, Susan!"

Well, it is a little unusual, so I'll excuse your sarcasm. :-)

And I will go first.

  Hidden in Plain Sight

I was five years old when I got my first glimpse of her. She was walking past the classroom, just as I’d finished making my first collage. At that age, I didn’t even know what a Muse was. But the thrill of making a piece of art that I loved was unmistakable.

As an adult, I tried my hand at writing children’s fiction. At first, my Muse and I were bubbling over with enthusiasm.

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/kemie

When the reality of being a writer settled in, I tried to offset this by striving. That was the absolute worst thing to do! My Muse wanted nothing to do with that writing environment, so I began seeing her less and less.

One day, my Muse stopped by with wise advice. She said, “Let writing go. If it’s meant to be part of your life, it will return.” I knew she was right; I had nearly ruined my health from the stress.

Later, my Muse and I developed a class on journal writing. We had found journal writing to be our easiest way to communicate with each other and strengthen our friendship, so the class was a natural for us to design.

Not long after that, I took training to become a Life Coach. Growing my practice in partnership with my Muse has been a delightful creative challenge!

The four photos below are the facets and moods of my Muse. 

photo (c) iStock/Alina Solovyova-Vincent

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/ChristopherBernard

                                                 photo (c) iStockphoto.com/kate_sept2004    

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/THEPALMER

My Muse may seem like a silent, invisible partner to anyone else. But for me, she has been an inspiring friend…a true catalyst for my creativity.

Now it's your turn!  Please click the "Comments" button below
and let us know about your relationship with your Muse.
Thanks,
        Susan

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/CGinspiration

Attention Local Folks ~ I hope to see you at these events!

"You Can Heal Yourself from Cancer" 

Saturday Morning, October 8, 2011

Presented by McCormick Chiropractic, Pottstown, PA

Come and hear some very down-to-earth speakers talking about prevention and cures!

For details, please see www.mcccormickchiropractic.com

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Boyertown Area School District Continuing Education

Two Personal Enrichment Classes by Yours Truly

Starting on October 17 and 20

For details, please see www.boyertownasd.org

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"Inner Light Spiritual Holistic Expo"

Weekend of November 12 and 13 in Pottstown, PA

Presented by Inner Light Holistic Center, Gilbertsville, PA

For details, please see www.INNERLIGHTHC.com

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**All of Susan's creative4life posts are (c) Susan Cleaver.** 

**Active Member of the TriCounty Community Network at

www.tcnetwork.org **

Prolonged Denial: A Hidden Source of Trouble

Denial...it's so easy to see in others. By definition, we have a very difficult time seeing it in ourselves.

Useful denial is like useful anger; they're both designed by nature to be temporary. Temporary anger nudges us to take constructive action. Temporary denial protects us from being hit by all the emotional pain of loss at one time.

Prolonged denial, though, becomes a nasty little gremlin that really messes with your mind and life. Because we can't see the denial itself, we must look at the symptoms. Here are a few to consider:

~Creative Blocks. Chances are, they aren't caused by laziness or lack of something to express!

~Free-Floating Anxiety is probably a misnomer in most cases. We don't see the source, so we assume there isn't one. Long-term denial may well be the culprit in certain situations.

~Free-Floating Anger is another symptom. Chronic bouts of unexplainable or inappropriate anger are like the release value on a pressure cooker.

TV personality and author Art Linkletter tells a story about a store clerk who looked like she was about to snap at anyone (maybe everyone...) who walked by. Mr. Linkletter asked her, "Are you angry?" She answered, "No, of course I'm not angry!" To this he replied, "Well, you'd better tell your face!"

~Exhaustion...physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. It takes a lot of energy to suppress emotions, which sometimes leads to...

~Depression. And again, it may be difficult to pin down the cause if it's related to chronic denial.

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Resources for Help

~Self-Help. If the problem isn't too deeply entrenched, you might be able to gain clarity through journaling.

~Friendly Help. Ask someone you trust to give you objective feedback about what you might not be acknowledging.

~Therapy may be needed to rout out deep-seated denial and work through it.

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Then What?

~Forgiveness and/or self-forgiveness. This is easier said than done, and it takes time. A therapist can help you develop this skill set.

~Redesign Your Life. Prolonged denial and its symptoms can take you way off course in life. When you have worked through the issues, you will be ready to construct a lifestyle more to your liking. A great life coach may be just the catalyst you need!

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Shameless Plug Time: Contact me for a complimentary exploratory coaching session by phone or in person! Email: scleaver@dejazzd.com.

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~Shameless Request Time: Please comment on your experience with this topic! Questions are welcome, too.

Thanks,
Susan

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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