The Hero’s Journey

{{no|Sir Galahad, detalj fra et maleri av Geor...

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“Alone he would enter the dark forest where there was no path.”

This line has always stayed with me ever since I read the tale of Sir Galahad and the Holy Grail. I admired him above every other knight because he chose his own way. He chose a path where there was none, but he was the one to discover the Holy Grail while others failed. I admired Sir Galahad for his fearlessness because he chose to enter the darkest part of the forest to begin the journey that would last many years.

I remember reading the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Ever since I was a child, I always gravitated to fairy tales, legends, and myths. For some reason, these stories would resonate with me. I would spend countless hours daydreaming in my room about the quests I would take, the secret castles I would enter, the new lands I would see, the powers I would gain. I yearned for my reality to mirror the hero’s journey that I found in the numerous books of my youth.

In this day and age where Harry Potter, Avatar, and numerous comic book adaptations have become our modern day mythologies, it does not surprise me that we still seek the escape of myth whether in a movie theater or a novel. A friend of mine once told me that people flock to the movie theaters when times get hard. Considering that movie tickets are inching towards $15 a person, i feel that people are opting for the Netflix route, but that is besides the point. I feel a part of us wishes to step into the unknown, to immerse yourself in adventure, to conquer the many obstacles that line the way. Many cannot fathom that they are in the middle of their own hero’s journey when they live a 9 to 5 existence where the reality of modern life pervades every aspect of their measured lives.

I wish to bring myself to the days in which I was fearless – the days in which I looked upon the world with wonder. Of late, it feel a maelstrom churning inside of me. This feeling of discontent has been mounting in me for quite sometime. I know that the life I lead affords me the opportunity to survive here. Yet, my intuition is telling me that I am treading along the wrong path. My current path may allow me to pay the bills and survive, but it does not offer me the opportunities to display my creativity and to thrive. Maybe the path I seek requires me to enter within the darkest corner of the forest. I have a feeling my next course of action will require me to immerse myself into the unknown, but I must be careful not to let fear or doubt enter my heart. Trust in the first guess because the second guess is tainted by fear (well in my case). I should focus more on thriving than surviving. I think my entire stay in New York has focused on the draining act of survival. This course of action has to change.

If I become privileged enough to have children, I will be sure to feed their imaginations. People fail to realize that this entire world around us started in someone’s imagination. Imagination and intuition are very powerful tools in these times. I’ve ignored those tools for too long. Several months ago, my former director had a going away party; he was moving onto a path of more opportunity. Whether or not he knew this, I admired him over anyone else at the job. During his going away party, he mentioned how I was one of the most creative people that he knew. When he said this, I felt of feeling of shame well up inside of me. I thought…if I was so creative, what I have done with it lately. Nothing.

I have been afraid to meet the page for quite some time. I promised my girlfriend that I would complete my first novel in 6 months. She wants me to be fearless in all that I pursue. A part of me is full of doubt as far as accomplishing this endeavor, yet I only have to look to Michelle for inspiration. As she finds her way in her paintings, I can do the same through words.

I have to try.

In my short life, i have accumulated my fair share of regrets. I do not want this to be the case anymore. I believe that I can do so much more in this world. My existence and ability should not be defined by the confines of my cubicle and pay. Many worlds exist within this world, and I intend to see them all. I feel that I have not heeded the call to the quest for many years out of fear. I now realize the error of my ways.

In order for a person to achieve immortality, this person must have the world speak of you and your feats even after your body has left this world. Hercules, Theseus, Perseus, Odysseus, and countless mythical heroes live on in the imaginations of many because their tales continue to be passed down from generation to generation.

I strive for immortality as well. I wish to create my own mythology.

I wish to leave a positive mark in this world, so I have no time for question marks.

Without further delay, let the quest begin.