What Now?

How to answer a difficult call to adventure

Photo by author

“One way or another, we have to find what best fosters the flowering of our humanity in this contemporary life and dedicate ourselves to that.” — Joseph Campbell

Does it feel like you’re holding onto your equilibrium by your fingernails right now?

You are not alone.

I had to overcome a deep pull toward inertia and hibernation to work on this today. The world feel like we’re in a dark forest full of potential dangers and I needed to orient myself. When Joseph Campbell’s, The Hero’s Journey was mentioned in a recent writing workshop, it sparked a connection.

In another lifetime, I watched Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyer discussing Campbell’s fascinating book, The Hero’s Journey. I bought the boxed set and watched it again. In that seminal book, Campbell explains the concept of the Call to Adventure. In this concept, as in life, adventure is not always fun. To Campbell, the call comes when something happens that changes everything.The hero/shero then has to decide whether to accept the challenge to venture into the unknown and make a positive difference.

Many influential books and movies are structured around The Hero’s Journey, from classics like To Kill a Mockingbird to superhero movies to fantasy classics. Think of Bilbo Baggins in J.R.R. Tolkien’s groundbreaking, “The Hobbit.” Bilbo is snug by the fire in his home receives the call to go on a quest. That involves leaving all and everyone he knows to encounter potential dangers. The homebody will have to travel to strange lands where he won’t know who is friend or foe.

At times of great stress and overwhelm, we may want to sit by a fire with a good book and a cup of tea or hide under the covers until a calmer, more peaceful time. Instead, I propose that we accept this call to adventure. When we're already in a dark forest, we might as well move forward with heart and good intention. We can help create a more compassionate world. Every small encounter and choice can matter when we approach them with that in mind. Easier said than done? Don't I know it.

I feel like I have a slight advantage in that dead writer mentors have always served me well. When I despair, reading them reminds me that people in every era in history experienced it yet persevered. Many of them faced much worse times. Knowing that strengthens the sometimes faltering resolve that I can as well.

I'd like to share some quotes from some indomitable women from history that buoy my strength and resilience.

One of my sheroes is Eleanor Roosevelt. She worked tirelessly for human rights as First Lady and as the U.S. delegate to the United Nations. She was the primary drafter of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1961, in the midst of Cold War tensions and having lived through the great depression and the horrors of WWII, she wrote,

“Surely, in the light of history, it is more intelligent to hope rather than to fear, to try rather than not to try. For one thing we know beyond all doubt: Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, It can't be done."

In a similar vein, Margaret Mead said,

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

This is true. Think of any movement you admire, and you’ll likely find that one or three people had an idea, took a small step like sharing it with others, and it grew from there.

These instances were the first that came to mind:

Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometti started Black Lives Matter.

Greta Thunberg’s first public action was to stand alone in front of the Swedish Parliament with a sign urging it to take stronger actions to address climate change. She was 15 and began a powerful international movement 

Jessica Martin and Asherah Weiss wanted to spread compassion and kindness during the pandemic. They started the phenomenon of Peptoc-peptalks from Kindergarteners. As of August 2024, over 17 million people from all over the world  had called to listen to upbeat advice from kids. The link is under Seedpods below.

There are countless examples of enormous, positive differences made by individuals and small groups determined to bring about change.

As Eleanor Roosevelt said,

"You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give."

It’s only human to feel down and hopeless at times, but in my experience, it’s important not to dwell there for too long. Showing kindness and empathy to others can help us feel hopeful. Doing that for whoever we come across in the course of the day, is simple, yet important. It sets off a chain effect of pleasant encounters just as an initial crabby greeting from a family member, barista or someone at work starts us in a different direction. That’s a good first step.

Nature is full of hopeful signs as well. That's especially true here, where spring is sprouting everywhere.

Photo by author

In order to accept any call to adventure, we need support. To me, that begins with taking gentle care of ourselves and the people in our lives.

I’ll leave you with a quote that has always resonated with me.

"We are all just walking each other home.” — Ram Das

Seedpods:

• The Marginalian newsletter by Maria Popova always helps me put things into perspective as she beautifully curates and connects wisdom from writers, artists and other thinkers through the ages.

• A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise In Disasters and Hope in the Dark by Rebecca Solnit. To Solnit, hope isn't blind faith or trust, it's committing to compassionate action in dark times.

• This is a great article about how to get more involved in your community even if you have little time or no idea how to start: Citizen University. Introverts may be inspired by the interview embedded in this article.

I've mentioned these good news newsletters and Peptok in earlier posts and include them here again as an easy way to add some encouraging notes to your day.

• Good News Newsletters: Offset all of that negative news bias and doom-scrolling by reading positive news. Good is happening around the world, both by every day people and governments.

  GoodGoodGood

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/

• Peptok: 707-873-7862. Options include numbers to press if you’re feeling angry, frustrated or nervous, could use some kid advice or a pep talk, or for the delightful sounds of kids laughing. Listening to these kids always leaves me smiling. Now if I could only remember to call more often.