Bravery and the heroes call to adventure

So you’re beginning your education, and you have history as your guide. But what about your fundamentals? What is your drive? What is at your core? What are your belief’s?

Some people turn to religion, and some are drilled into a certain way of thinking from a young age, whether it be through a state education, private education, or some military academy. Others; like myself, fell between the cracks and began a path all on our own.

Joseph Campbell wrote about the heroes journey, and the call to adventure. At just 17 years old; I took that adventure, and it all leads up to where I am today.

The Hero with a Thousand Faces (first published in 1949) is a non-fiction book, and seminal work of comparative mythology by Joseph Campbell. In this publication, Campbell discusses his theory of the journey of the archetypal hero found in world mythologies.

Since publication of The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Campbell’s theory has been consciously applied by a wide variety of modern writers and artists. The best known is perhaps George Lucas, who has acknowledged a debt to Campbell regarding the stories of the Star Wars films.

The mythology, and the standards that you live by, are what define you. Without them, you are easily swayed in one direction or another. Like the saying goes: ‘You either stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything’ this becomes true without a set of core principles that you feel strongly for at heart.

Personally, I believe in freedom, independence, self preservation and reliability. I believe each man and woman have the right to make whatever they want of themselves, so long as they are not taking something involuntarily away from others.

Ayn Rand wrote about the ‘virtue of selfishness’, that determining your own reality was the most important step you could take, and not letting other people stop you.

So what is your life’s calling? What will make  you get up and start doing what you really want to be doing? What will make you stand up and start walking toward your dreams?

As you begin to take the first steps, you will face many challenges, but as you meet and face those challenges, you will begin becoming more yourself, and the person you were supposed to be.

Take the heroes journey, explore the truth, be yourself, and discover the wonders of life.