Welcome to Day 74 of the Wellbeing 9-a-Day blog! Yesterday, we considered the third stage of the Hero’s Journey, Accepting the Call, where the Hero decides to cross the threshold into the Special World. In today’s blog, I move into Act II of the Hero’s Journey, Facing Trials.
Transforming in the Special World
Act II of the Hero’s Journey is all about the Hero transforming in the Special World.
“The Hero faces trials in the Special World, making friends and enemies on the road. Transformed after facing an ordeal, the Hero finds the power to claim the reward.”
In the second act of the Hero’s Journey, the Hero has left the Ordinary World and must find a way to thrive in a ‘Special World’, which is a place that is usually unknown to them. For this to happen, the Hero must transform internally and, in doing so, transform the world around them.
When I say ‘Special World’, think… Oz in the Wizard of Oz, or Wonderland in Alice in Wonderland. These places are metaphors for the unknown and mysterious world that the Hero must enter.
Crossing the threshold into the Special World unavoidably leads to uncertainty, insecurity, and apprehension. It is not only natural that we are fearful of the unknown; it is human.
One of the biggest challenges in Act II is confronting these negative thoughts and feelings and replacing them with new and improved thoughts and feelings that help us to gain the skills, knowledge and behaviours that are needed to Claim the Reward.
The journey into the Special World is always challenging, but it is only through these hardships that we come out stronger on the other side.
Facing Trials
When you cross the threshold, you are faced with the reality of your choices. It is now time to go through the ups and downs that come with learning any new skill or developing knowledge.
Your first taste of the Special World is bound to be full of trials and tribulations. Much of what you knew before is no longer of use to you and you must learn skills, make allies, and confront enemies if you are to continue your journey.
The other people in the Special World are proof that you can transform and turn the Special World into another part of your Ordinary World.
In a Bond movie, this is where 007 enters the villains world, making allies and facing henchman as he tries to get to the bottom of the mystery.
In Beauty and the Beast, Belle faces the trials of living in the Beast’s castle and learns that she is forbidden from entering the West Wing.
When learning a new skill in life, Facing Trials is when you begin to practise, often learning more from what you get wrong than what you get right.
Metaphorically, the trials are parts of yourself that you must overcome or assimilate before you can transform. You must face your fears so that you are calm and assured when you meet them next.
Many abandon their journey during the trials. They remember the ease of the Ordinary World and wonder why they crossed the threshold.
However, it is only through trials that we develop the power to transform into something better. You must persist, knowing transformation is coming.
Through the trials, you discover and assimilate your unexplored self. In doing this, you become whole.
Call to Action!
Think back to Hero’s Journeys from your past. Have you ever abandoned your path during the initial trials? Many of us summon the courage to accept the call to adventure but are part off by the difficulties of the inevitable trials. By persisting, you can overcome the obstacles and claim the reward you seek.
This blog was written as part of a 90-day blog writing fundraiser for Live Well with Cancer, a volunteer-led charity serving North Tyneside and the surrounding areas. If you enjoyed this blog, please show your appreciation by donating to my JustGiving page. Every penny raised from donations or sales of the journal will help deliver workshops, events and support groups that empower better health and wellbeing for those affected by cancer, including family, friends, carers, and healthcare workers.
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