Joseph Campbell outlined a number of steps that the hero must take to go on the journey. First, he or she must hear the call, and at a certain point, must answer the call.
Usually, the hero or heroine spends a little time ignoring the call. It's a part of the human experience. Is this where you are?
If so, Congratulations! You're one step closer to greatness and heroism! Now let's think about finding the motivation you'll need to answer the call.
What calls to you?
There is a story about a woman who asked Einstein what books her son should read. He suggested fairy tales, fairy tales, and more fairy tales. I would add to this list, personal stories of great achievement.
They help awaken to our own dreams of greatness...
As I thought about Paul Gauguin and his deliverance from his dreary career as a businessman to a colorful artist in the South Pacific, I recalled a story from my own family, from this same window of time.
In 1890, as Paul Gauguin was learning about polynesia and seeing artwork exhibited at the World's Fair in Paris, my great grandfather George C Munro was living in New Zealand.
One small act of eccentricity led him from a life of farming to a fascinating life in Hawaii.
"Pa," as we all refer to him, was in love with botany. Birds, plants, and butterflies.
One day, he set out on a walk through downtown Auckland with a butterfly smartly pinned to the lapel of his coat. He bumped into an American who noticed the butterfly and they got to talking passionately about the local flora and fauna. The next thing he knew, he was invited to join the Rothschild Expedition to the Sandwich Islands where they were collecting birds and exotic plant samples to take back to England.
"Pa" in Waikiki. He was given keys to the Zoo where he took his morning walks in his late 90's!
Imagine having keys to the zoo!
So it was that "Pa" left a life of farming and toil, and enjoyed a long and happy life in Hawaii where he found a unique rhododendron that was named after him, and he wrote a book on the Birds of Hawaii. which not only wove in bird descriptions and behaviors, but also was sprinkled with information about Hawaiian culture, including native legends!
As I was reminded of this, I couldn't wait to start writing, and to share it with you! Those very little acts (like pinning a butterfly to your lapel) can lead to great introductions, fabulous conversations, and who knows what else?
Munroidendron racemosii
AN EXERCISE FOR YOU TO PRACTICE:
Start Today by Feeling it in Your Entire Self!
Here's the plea: In every one of us, there is something we dream of doing, but don't dare because we've been discouraged, out of fear, bad advice, or any number of other things that place those Phantom Limitations on us.
The first step is to take that dream and transform it from a thought to a full-bodied sensation. Close your eyes and see, hear, and feel it. Stand up, spread your arms wide, make your spine long, head up, and declare your "I AM!" I am a poet, a painter, a writer.".. fill in the blank for yourself. Repeat this a few times. Let the urge become strong. Do this once a day for thirty days. Set aside a time that is sacred for this and declare it out loud. Look into the mirror, and see yourself. Tell yourself, "I AM!"
If you can spend a little time each day as if it is already who you are and how you define yourself, you'll find you'll start taking those small steps. A little bit more.
Here's one last plea: Do this for yourself. Sadly, people often find that the ones closest to us can step on our dreams. They may have the very best of reasons and intentions.
That's okay. Step into your dreams anyway. If the dream compels you, let that be your inspiration. If you don't do it, you'll be robbing the rest of us of your beautiful gift!
I look forward to seeing and hearing about the fruits of your creativity as it is unleashed on a world hungry for beauty!
Liz I wish you well as you revel in your creative eccentricity!!!
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