By Catherine Schasser
Blockbuster movies have a winning and common theme: the story of A Hero’s Journey. Forest Gump, Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, Nemo in Finding Nemo and many more.
The Hero’s Journey sees our namesake begin in an ordinary existence, before moving through their transformation. When you’re on the edge of your seat or crying along with the characters, you don’t notice these steps.
When written well, cast with talented actors and directed in a way you feel you’re there, The Hero’s Journey creates box office success for movies, not to mention plays, songs and books.
This theme resonates because unconsciously we all want to be the Hero – the Hero of our life.
As you sit invested in the plot and the story of the characters, you become emotionally involved and if depicted well, the story, characters, music or lines can remain with you forever. During these times, you’re not noticing the 12–17 steps of transformation the writer had intentionally created. Instead, you’re just in it. Eager. Apprehensive. Hopeful. Moved. Curious. Invested.
This is your real–life Hero’s Journey too and similarly, you may not be aware you’re living it, nor the character you’re playing.
Think of your story. Feel free to narrate it as an overtone and add a cinematic music experience to match! What genre would you create your story – a comedy, romance, adventure? Now timeline the characters, milestones, heartaches, successes, trials and tribulations. Don’t forget to have an overriding message.
This is YOUR Hero’s Journey.
As with any of my viewpoints, I offer a consideration you can take or leave: what makes your Hero’s Journey a ‘successful’ one is not the big moments, the most significant tragedies or greatest losses. Yes, these matter. Of course, they do. But I believe the true Hero’s Journey lies in the smallest of spaces. The Hero is created in the tiniest of moments when they CHOOSE. “Who do I want to be, how do I want to be, and why?” The Hero has the asking of these questions as their inner protection from the effects of the outside world.
“Courage doesn’t roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says ‘I’ll try again tomorrow’.” (Mary–Anne Radmacher)
This belief is never more true than when defining the Hero.
The Hero is being strengthened every time they:
- Try again
- Refuse to stay the same
- Commit to growing
Your life is not being lived in a fake setting with calls of ‘action’, ‘cut’ or ‘let’s go again from the top’ being called and supported. If you’re like the rest of us, it’s probably a hot mess at times, with tears and tantrums, anxiety and overwhelm, and lots of feelings of being overworked and undervalued.
And that’s perfectly ok.
What I hope you see is the Hero in YOU. And that Hero is being defined with every small choice to try again. To reach for the healthy snack. To share your burdens with a friend. To ask for help. To breathe. To choose to be better for yourself and those you love.
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom” (Viktor Fankl)
That’s what makes you the Hero of your one precious gift of life.
And with this closing thought, I remind you, your movie’s playing and you can edit it as much as you desire, until you get the character (you) just the way you want.
Be kind to yourself and proud of who you are.
Sincerely, Catherine
Catherine Schasser is a qualified Life Coach, NLP practitioner and Early Childhood Teacher, who combines her passion, empathy and experience to empower others. With her friend Kristine, Catherine has created an online membership for women, plus two exceeding early learning centres with one being named NSW Best Small Private Regional Service. Catherine leads the empowerment of mothers and educators in maintaining their mindset to create a life they dream of.