The Hero's Journey
Fairytales always filled me with wonder. From the once upon the time, to the happily ever after, it was the pages in between that made the journey. After all, our very world is made up of stories…
I felt like a nobody in a room of inspiration. Led by professional coaches, we sat around the table, each with a turn to speak.
Having recalled the chapters of our past, we created one more. For our future. I felt the heat flush my cheeks. Downcast eyes, I hoped to be overlooked. I didn’t want a turn. My story didn’t matter. Besides that, I was only here as a plus one. Nothing I had done deserved to reside in the presence of such wisdom. I didn’t belong.
With tears, I fumbled through my chapters. Expecting to be dismissed, my anxiety melted as the words of support calmed me. I was safe here. There are many things I’ve heard about myself in the past, but their words inspired something more. Something better. I specifically remember the Hero’s Journey. I wanted that for me. The person I was currently, was no hero. Yet, even with my pen heavy, there was hope. I could create my own pages. The ones in between once upon a time and happily ever after.
The remainder of the day was spent on the water. Watching the brave souls wakeboarding, my heart stirred with passion. I couldn’t stop thinking about the Hero’s Journey and my blank pages. The ones I still had time to create. Maybe there was a hero in me yet. My heart sprang with excitement when the boat’s captain stopped at a rock towering above the water. As we met, I knew. This was my mountain. This was the beginning of my hero’s journey
"I'm getting in, but I'm not going to jump,” I shouted as I took the plunge from the boat.
Floating silently, I bobbed in the water while I watched others leap. My heart thumped for them and my breath shallowed for me. But nothing shocked me more than the words that spewed from my mouth. "I'm going to jump!"
I hiked up the rocks and peered over the edge. My mouth went dry as I witnessed others plummet into the water, but my eyes were fixated upon the boatful of friends chanting, "Jump!"
"I'm scared," I choked. I turned away in fear, it was over. Each slap of my feet reminded me that I had given up. I had failed. Then, a small voice stopped me. "Kim… you can be brave when there isn’t an option, but what about bravery with choice?" I paused. I may not get this chance again.
The pivot changed the direction of my life. Without thinking, I feared forward… and I ran. Barreling towards the drop-off, I leaped with fearless passion. As I fell, fear did meet me on the way down, but it was too late. I jumped. I was proud of myself.
That night, we had another table chat. Instead of feeling less than, I knew I was in the company of high-caliber people. The type that works towards your highest good. And… It all made sense. I was always in control of my story. Even when times were the darkest, the pages were always mine. I just needed to choose to do exactly what scared me the most.
klbusick.com
I felt like a nobody in a room of inspiration. Led by professional coaches, we sat around the table, each with a turn to speak.
Having recalled the chapters of our past, we created one more. For our future. I felt the heat flush my cheeks. Downcast eyes, I hoped to be overlooked. I didn’t want a turn. My story didn’t matter. Besides that, I was only here as a plus one. Nothing I had done deserved to reside in the presence of such wisdom. I didn’t belong.
With tears, I fumbled through my chapters. Expecting to be dismissed, my anxiety melted as the words of support calmed me. I was safe here. There are many things I’ve heard about myself in the past, but their words inspired something more. Something better. I specifically remember the Hero’s Journey. I wanted that for me. The person I was currently, was no hero. Yet, even with my pen heavy, there was hope. I could create my own pages. The ones in between once upon a time and happily ever after.
The remainder of the day was spent on the water. Watching the brave souls wakeboarding, my heart stirred with passion. I couldn’t stop thinking about the Hero’s Journey and my blank pages. The ones I still had time to create. Maybe there was a hero in me yet. My heart sprang with excitement when the boat’s captain stopped at a rock towering above the water. As we met, I knew. This was my mountain. This was the beginning of my hero’s journey
"I'm getting in, but I'm not going to jump,” I shouted as I took the plunge from the boat.
Floating silently, I bobbed in the water while I watched others leap. My heart thumped for them and my breath shallowed for me. But nothing shocked me more than the words that spewed from my mouth. "I'm going to jump!"
I hiked up the rocks and peered over the edge. My mouth went dry as I witnessed others plummet into the water, but my eyes were fixated upon the boatful of friends chanting, "Jump!"
"I'm scared," I choked. I turned away in fear, it was over. Each slap of my feet reminded me that I had given up. I had failed. Then, a small voice stopped me. "Kim… you can be brave when there isn’t an option, but what about bravery with choice?" I paused. I may not get this chance again.
The pivot changed the direction of my life. Without thinking, I feared forward… and I ran. Barreling towards the drop-off, I leaped with fearless passion. As I fell, fear did meet me on the way down, but it was too late. I jumped. I was proud of myself.
That night, we had another table chat. Instead of feeling less than, I knew I was in the company of high-caliber people. The type that works towards your highest good. And… It all made sense. I was always in control of my story. Even when times were the darkest, the pages were always mine. I just needed to choose to do exactly what scared me the most.
klbusick.com
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