Journal Entry – Week 8
The Hero’s Journey
This week we read chapters 5, 6, and
8 in the book, “A field Guide for the Hero’s Journey: Inspirational Classics
and Practical Advice from a Serial Entrepreneur and an Entrepreneurial Priest.”
This is easy to read and full of inspirational quotes and stories. At the
beginning of chapter 5, Jeff Sanders shares his thoughts on three kinds of
students. As I was reading this, I found myself identifying with the third type
of student. This student is characterized as being successful in school and early
life with straight As, conforming to parents’ and teacher’s demands, being
successful in athletics and making friends. The problem is these children have
been sheltered by well-meaning parents from the difficulties of life. They have
never faced a difficult battle or made any huge mistakes and so they haven’t
really learned about resiliency, overcoming, and perseverance. I have
recognized this in myself for a long time and have been working to overcome weaknesses
that would have been easier to overcome in childhood, but it was interesting to
read it in the context of entrepreneurialism.
In chapter 6, Jeff Sanders describes
the death of his mother-in-law. He discusses the issue of despair and how it is
like a stone in the road that may block people and their ability to be successful.
His mother-in-law discovered her cancer had returned and had less than a week
to live. He explains the roller coaster of emotions she experienced in her last
few days, from anger to sadness, and even joy. But the most memorable part for
me was when Sanders said, “[She] faced that largest stone…with dignity and
without despair.” He felt she had given him a great gift as his paradigm
shifted and he was, from that point on, able to see even the largest stones on
his path as mere pebbles. She had given him a new perspective.
Finally, in chapter 8, he talks
about fighting our dragons and rehearses the story of David and Goliath as an
example. I have always loved this story because I am a big cheerleader for the
underdog. From the outside, it seemed impossible for a young boy with no armor
and only a sling and stones for a weapon to defeat a giant warrior, trained in
battle. What couldn’t be seen from the outside was David’s heart. He had the
heart of a dragon. He knew the battle would go to the one who believed and had
faith in God. He had fought hard battles with a bear and a lion in preparation
for this moment in his life. He knew he could win. He did not doubt. I think
this is a great example for anyone planning to be successful in their life. We
must face hard things. We must not run from the battles of life but engage in
them and learn what must be learned. This will strengthen our ability and our
self-confidence. We can all conquer the dragons on our lives if we are fighting
on the right side, if we have faith in God, and if we stay in the battle.
References:
Sanders, J. &
Sirico, R. (2012). A field guide for the hero’s journey. Grand Rapids, MI:
Acton Institute.
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