The Call to Adventure: Recognising Your Inner Stirring
EI & Relationships Mastery is a Newsletter Exploring the Intersection of Emotional Intelligence and Meaningful Relationships.
Introduction
In the realm of epic tales and mythical sagas, the hero’s journey is a recurring archetype that resonates deeply with the human spirit. It’s a narrative pattern, identified by renowned professor Joseph Campbell, that depicts the transformative odyssey of an individual who embarks on a quest, faces trials and tribulations, and ultimately returns home, forever changed.
While the hero’s journey is often associated with grand adventures and mythical quests, it’s also a powerful framework for understanding our own personal and professional lives. Every hero’s journey, no matter how grand or seemingly mundane, begins with a call to adventure – a whisper, a nudge, a dissatisfaction with the status quo that beckons us towards a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.
In this first installment of our 10-week series on the Hero’s Journey in personal and professional life, we will explore the concept of the “Call to Adventure” and how to identify those inner stirrings that invite us to step outside our comfort zones and embark on our own transformative journeys.
The Whisper in the Wind: Recognizing the Call
The call to adventure can manifest in countless ways. It might be a subtle yearning for something more, a nagging feeling that you’re not living up to your full potential, or a sudden, unexpected opportunity that throws your life into disarray. It could be a whisper in the wind, a persistent dream, or a chance encounter that sparks a fire within you.
Regardless of its form, the call to adventure is an invitation to step outside the familiar confines of your ordinary world and embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth. It’s a summons to explore the uncharted territories of your soul, to confront your fears and limitations, and to ultimately emerge as a more authentic and empowered version of yourself.
The Inner Stirring: A Symphony of Emotions
The call to adventure often evokes a complex symphony of emotions. Excitement, fear, anticipation, doubt, and even resistance can all swirl within us as we contemplate the path that lies ahead.
Excitement: The prospect of new experiences, challenges, and opportunities can ignite a spark of excitement within us. We may feel a sense of anticipation and eagerness to embark on this new chapter of our lives.
Fear: Stepping outside our comfort zones can be daunting. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, and fear of the challenges that lie ahead can hold us back from answering the call.
Anticipation: The anticipation of what lies ahead can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. We may feel a mix of excitement and trepidation as we contemplate the possibilities that await us.
Doubt: Self-doubt can creep in, whispering insidious questions about our abilities and worthiness. We may question whether we’re truly capable of answering the call and embarking on this journey.
Resistance: Resistance can manifest as a reluctance to change, a clinging to the familiar, or a fear of disrupting the status quo. We may find ourselves making excuses or rationalizing our reasons for staying put.
Disentangling the Threads: Identifying Your Call to Adventure
Recognizing your call to adventure requires a deep dive into your inner landscape. It’s about paying attention to the subtle cues and signals that your heart and soul are sending you. Here are some key strategies to help you identify those inner stirrings:
1. Listen to Your Intuition: Your intuition is your inner compass, guiding you towards your true north. Pay attention to those gut feelings, hunches, and inner whispers that seem to arise from a deeper place within you.
2. Embrace Your Discontent: Dissatisfaction with the status quo can be a powerful catalyst for change. If you find yourself feeling restless, bored, or unfulfilled, it may be a sign that you’re ready for a new adventure.
3. Explore Your Passions: What are you truly passionate about? What activities make you feel alive and energized? Your passions can provide valuable clues about the direction your journey might take.
4. Identify Your Fears: Fear can be a powerful indicator of where you need to grow. What are you most afraid of? What challenges are you avoiding? Facing your fears can unlock new levels of courage and resilience.
5. Pay Attention to Your Dreams: Your dreams can be a rich source of insight into your subconscious desires and fears. Keep a dream journal and explore the recurring themes and symbols that appear in your dreams.
6. Seek Inspiration: Surround yourself with inspiring people, books, and experiences. Exposure to new ideas and perspectives can spark your imagination and ignite your sense of adventure.
7. Reflect on Your Values: What are your core values? What is truly important to you? Aligning your actions with your values can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
8. Embrace Solitude: Carve out time for quiet reflection and introspection. Disconnect from the distractions of daily life and allow yourself to connect with your inner wisdom.
9. Experiment and Explore: Don’t be afraid to try new things and step outside your comfort zone. Experimentation and exploration can lead to unexpected discoveries and opportunities.
10. Trust the Timing: The call to adventure often arrives at the perfect moment, even if it doesn’t seem that way at the time. Trust that the universe is unfolding as it should and that you’re exactly where you need to be.
The Hero’s Journey in Everyday Life
The hero’s journey is not just a narrative reserved for mythical heroes and epic adventures. It’s a universal pattern that unfolds in our everyday lives, in both our personal and professional spheres.
Personal Life: The call to adventure in our personal lives might involve pursuing a new relationship, starting a family, changing careers, moving to a new city, or embarking on a spiritual quest. It’s about embracing new experiences, confronting our fears, and growing into our full potential.
Professional Life: In the workplace, the call to adventure might involve taking on a new role, starting a business, leading a team, or pursuing a passion project. It’s about stepping outside our comfort zones, embracing challenges, and making a meaningful contribution to the world.
The Intersection of EI and the Hero’s Journey
Emotional intelligence (EI) plays a crucial role in navigating the hero’s journey. It’s the ability to understand and manage our own emotions and the emotions of others. EI enables us to:
Recognise our emotions: By developing self-awareness, we can identify the subtle cues and signals that our emotions are sending us, including those related to our call to adventure.
Manage our emotions: EI empowers us to regulate our emotions, especially in the face of challenges and setbacks. It helps us to cultivate resilience, perseverance, and a growth mindset.
Motivate ourselves: EI enables us to tap into our intrinsic motivation, set goals, and pursue our passions with purpose and determination.
Empathise with others: By understanding the emotions of others, we can build stronger relationships, navigate conflicts effectively, and create a more supportive and collaborative environment.
Build strong relationships: EI is essential for building and maintaining healthy relationships, both personally and professionally. It enables us to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts constructively, and foster trust and intimacy.
Conclusion
The call to adventure is a universal invitation to embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth. It’s a summons to step outside our comfort zones, confront our fears, and embrace the unknown. By recognizing our inner stirrings, listening to our intuition, and cultivating our emotional intelligence, we can answer the call and embark on our own transformative journeys.
In the weeks to come, we will delve deeper into the stages of the hero’s journey, exploring the challenges, triumphs, and transformative experiences that await us along the path. Join us as we continue this epic adventure together.
Kindaichi Lee
Your Storytelling & Transformative Partner