Continuing on last week’s “soul theme” that life is all about the journey, and what happens when we’re being called to something bigger, I’ve been following a brilliant blog series by author Steven Pressfield, entitled The Artist’s Journey.
How “serendipitous” this would show up in my inbox at this time. What others call coincidence I call alignment.
In these deep and insightful blog posts, Pressfield discusses the artist’s mindset, practices, and skill required to shuttle from the material sphere (physical world) to the sphere of potentiality (higher consciousness) and back again.
He also explores the stages of the hero’s journey, and suggests where that quest ends the artist’s journey begins.
For anyone unfamiliar with the hero’s journey, as written and defined by Joseph Campbell, it’s essentially the decision to answer your soul’s calling, including the obstacles, training, and challenges you must face in order to bring home the “treasure.” (The wisdom or gift.)
Think Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, which is the story of the classic hero’s journey.
Okay back to you, local hero, and anyone being called to do something bigger—and without a map.
At this point in the journey, everything that’s happened in your life up until now is a rehearsal for you to act and apply it, as your true self in your true voice—as an artist, entrepreneur, or purpose-driven human being.
No pressure, right?
All you have to do is show up and do the work.
Because, my friends, your dreams (big ideas, business goals, humanitarian efforts and so on) don’t work unless you do.
As Pressfield so aptly and poignantly says, “You have to put your ass where your heart wants to be.”
Well said, Mr. Pressfield.
Of course, the biggest obstacle on the artist’s journey (and the human journey) is Resistance, with a capital “R.”
Resistance can take many forms, such as fear, distraction, self-sabotage, procrastination, obsessing over emails, smartphones, Netflix… even injury or sickness to “take yourself out of the game.”
The bigger the “call”… to your dream, audacious goal, or heart’s desire, the greater the Resistance.
By the way, Steven Pressfield literally wrote the book on how to move through Resistance. It’s called The War of Art and I highly recommend it to artists and non-artists alike, because we are all creative beings, creating this crazy journey we call life.
So back to your next “call to adventure.” (And if you’re reading this, you do have a call.)
Are you being called, nudged, or metaphorically “banged over the head” by the Universe, to step up and step outside the boundaries of your life as you know it into something greater?
Are you feeling bold and confident? (Yay!)
Or are you feeling ungrounded, uneasy, and unsure?
Well, that may be its own form of Resistance, but here’s the good news.
The best way to deal with Resistance is to simply take the next step—sit down and write, buy some paint and canvas, look for a new job, call a friend, find a mentor, ask for help.
Action, even imperfect action, can be healing, instructive, and motivating. As Picasso said: “Inspiration likes to see you working.”
That action might be as simple as tapping into your intuition (my go-to answer for everything). If you’re unsure of what to do next, your intuition is the “bridge” that connects your creative mind to your practical mind.
When you follow that inner impulse, and “trust your gut,” your intuition shows your mind where to look next.
And if you need a guide to help you find that “bridge” to the next step on your path, I invite you to book a complimentary 30-minute Discovery Call with me. Apply here and let’s continue the journey.