The Hero’s Journey, to the extraordinary

In our ordinary everyday life, it’s easy to feel ensnared in a repetitive cycle: wake up, go to McDonalds, work, sleep, and repeat. This routine, while comforting, (most of the time) can sometimes leave us yearning for something more—a deeper sense of purpose, adventure, or fulfillment. This longing mirrors the essence of the Hero’s Journey, a concept made available by Joseph Campbell in his seminal work, The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Campbell identified a universal pattern in myths and stories across cultures, illustrating how individuals transition from their ordinary world into an extraordinary realm, undergo transformation, and return with newfound wisdom. And if you ever wondered if you could be a hero, you can!

The Ordinary World: A Place of Comfort and Familiarity

Go with me here, imagine you’re in the “Ordinary World” and this is the hero’s starting point—a realm of comfort, routine, and predictability. It’s where all of us feel the safest, surrounded by familiar faces and environments. For many, this world is characterized by daily responsibilities, your familiar expectations, and a sense of normalcy. However, beneath this surface, there can lie a subtle dissatisfaction or a yearning for something more meaningful.

Consider the story of Luke Skywalker from Star Wars that helped me dream of realms beyond what I could see. Before his adventure begins, Luke is a farm boy on the desert planet of Tatooine, leading a monotonous life. His days are filled with mundane tasks, and he dreams of a life beyond the stars. This dissatisfaction with the ordinary world propels him toward the extraordinary.

The Call to Adventure: A Catalyst for Change

In every hero’s journey, there comes a moment—a “Call to Adventure”—that disrupts the status quo. This call can manifest in various forms: an unexpected event, a challenge, or an inner desire for change. It’s the universe’s way of nudging the hero out of their comfort zone and into the unknown, and you must admit there is a call.

For Luke, the call comes when he discovers a message hidden in a droid, leading him to the wise Obi-Wan Kenobi, my favorite character.  This encounter sets him on a path that will forever alter his destiny. Similarly, in our lives, the call might appear as a new opportunity, a sudden realization, or a compelling desire to pursue a passion we’ve long ignored

Crossing the Threshold: Embracing the Unknown

Answering the call requires great courage, folks. The “Crossing of the Threshold” is the hero’s commitment to leave the ordinary world and everything he or she knows behind and venture into the unknown. It’s a leap of faith, embracing uncertainty and the potential for growth.

Luke’s decision to leave Tatooine and join Obi-Wan is a classic example. He steps into a galaxy filled with unknowns, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead. In our example crossing the threshold might involve changing careers, moving to a new city, or pursuing a long-held dream.

The Extraordinary World: A Realm of Transformation

Once the threshold is crossed, the hero enters the “Extraordinary World.” This is a realm where the usual rules don’t apply, filled with challenges, allies, and enemies. It’s a place of growth, danger, learning, and transformation.

In the extraordinary world, the hero faces trials that test their resolve, skills, and character. They encounter mentors who provide guidance and allies who offer support. These experiences shape the hero, preparing them for the ultimate challenge.

The Return: Bringing Back the Elixir

After overcoming trials and achieving their goal, the hero returns to the ordinary world, transformed and enlightened. They bring back the “elixir”—wisdom, knowledge, or a gift—that benefits their community.

Luke returns to the Rebel Alliance, armed with the knowledge and skills to confront the Empire. Similarly, in our lives, the return signifies applying the lessons learned from our adventures to improve ourselves and those around us.

Applying the Hero’s Journey to Our Lives

The Hero’s Journey isn’t just a narrative structure for stories; it’s a framework for personal growth and transformation. It encourages us to step out of our comfort zones, face challenges, and emerge stronger and wiser.

Action Steps to Embark on Your Own Hero’s Journey

1. Identify Your Call to Adventure: Reflect on areas in your life where you feel unfulfilled or stagnant. What opportunities or desires are calling you to make a change? This could be a new career path, a creative endeavor, or a personal goal you’ve set aside.
2. Take the First Step: Embrace the unknown by taking a concrete action toward your goal. This might involve enrolling in a course, reaching out to a mentor, or dedicating time to your passion. Remember, the journey begins with a single step, and each step brings you closer to your transformation.

By recognizing the stages of the Hero’s Journey within our own lives, we can navigate our personal quests with purpose and resilience. Embracing this journey allows us to transcend the ordinary, confront challenges, and return with wisdom that enriches our lives and the lives of those around us.

A story. When I started Varment Guard in 1983 with Mike and after getting agreement from my wife, we set out on a journey of discovery, we did NOT know anything, nothing about what we were about to do.  But what we did have was our motto, “failure is not an option.”There were many things that happened that could have derailed us if we did not have courage, mentors, each other and a will to make something happen. And in the end, we did bring back the elixir: a large company, many employees and a great reputation.

In the end, the Hero’s Journey is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for growth, transformation, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. And here is the funny thing, when you finish this journey, another will come along if you’re listening. What are you hearing? Is there a call on your life?