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.***

Creative Community

Diversity and Choice

I'd like to start with a few things that creative community is NOT. First of all, it is not limited to what we normally consider the "arts." Putting together a rewarding life for yourself is the creative framework for all else that you do! This can include the arts, but could also include many other things such as parenting or running a business.

Secondly, creative community is not limited to traditional networking at breakfast meetings, etc. Some folks love these and find them very helpful. Others find them to be an unnatural fit for their style.

Technology's Role

If you found your way to this blog, you probably already know what a boon the Internet has been for networking and support communities of all types. And you can often enter into joint ventures with no concern for your JV partner's geographic location!

Modern phone technology, which allows for inexpensive conference calling, can be used for all sorts of group experiences, including brainstorming, classes, Q and A, interviews, and demonstrations.

The Right Fit

Having fun loosens you up and opens the door to your creativity, so be sure to choose a community that provides this for you. Forget about what you've heard you "should" be doing, and involve yourself with others in ways that you feel enthusiastic about.

What I love about community is the amazing synergy that comes out of a group in which the individuals have moved past "What's in it for me?" and have shifted as a group to "What's in it for us and for those we serve?"

Other Things to Love About Creative Community

• companionship
• advice and mentoring
• circulation of information, methods, ideas, and techniques
• feedback
• encouragement
• inspiration
• intuitive input from others
• a safety net
• a venue for beta testing
• sounding boards

Dig-In Days

My friend and fellow entrepreneur, Mary Beth Krawchuk and I set several hours a week aside to "dig in" to our work while supplying structure, accountability, focus, and support for each other by phone at the beginning and end of each work hour. Many months ago when we first began, Mary Beth said, "I got more done on this project in this hour than I have in the past month!"

Give it a try with a friend or email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com. I can always use another accountability buddy!

Start Our Own Community? Why Not?!

Please scan this post again to see what kinds of support you need and how you might support others. Please leave a comment or email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com with your ideas, questions, quandaries, etc. My goal is to have creative4life become a nurturing community for those of us in any creative arena. (That is, just about all of us!)

Thank you,

Susan