I’ve been reading, Awakening the Heroes Within: Twelve Archetypes to Help Us Find ourselves and Transform Our World, by Carol S. Pearson. This book adds to the work of Joseph Campbell by expanding on the Mythic Heroes Quest, and giving one more tools to explore your true self. This book guides you in exploring the archetypes that live within each of us. It outlines the twelve different archetypes and explains both their strengths and shadow sides. Great reading as, I cozy up to avoid the cold and icy conditions that winter brings. Books like this help me to think, inspire me and hopefully strengthen my self-growth.
Here are some thoughts the book brought up for me this week…
In this life we spend a lot of time avoiding things – negative emotions, changes in our jobs, love issues, internal conflicts, family dynamics….and the list goes on and on. Most of us are really good at avoiding the hard stuff. It’s easier to bury our heads in the sand and hope things will magically change without any action on our part. Don’t get me wrong – magic is great…but I believe magic lies within the process of facing the things, we want to avoid.
Often we avoid things, because we are afraid. Afraid of the pain or hurt that comes with facing things. What I learned is that, the fear of the pain I am avoiding is SO much bigger than the pain itself. If you face the hard stuffs – it might hurt. But if you lean into that hurt, really concentrate on feeling it, the pain will subside. And on the other side of that pain is a peacefulness and strength, that is beautiful.
Many of us are also, often afraid of change. If we face something, we may become aware of the need for change. You can’t un-do awareness. Change can be hard. It can mean loss or just as easily mean gain or success. Either direction can be daunting. I believe that dealing with change is much better than dealing with avoidance.
So to move forward or create any type of positive change, we must face the things we are trying so hard to avoid. A better future is possible, by facing it head on! Advice from myself to myself that I’m trying to live by.
How are you on change? Do you avoid? How do you move forward?
From my wildly passionate creative soul to yours in peace.
jennifer barrile said
Thanks for this blog post. What you wrote is so much about what Ive been dealing with past few weeks. Sometimes I avoid my feelings, but this week I couldn't avoid all the negative thoughts it all just came out in all kinds of ways. It felt good to release it, cry and talk it out etc. If I want peaceful days I know now that I have to deal with the pain and negative thinking then letting the fester and linger inside.
Indigene said
Hey Jennifer, thanks for stopping by and leaving your honest comments! It’s always easier to find the answer than to execute it. I’m a work in progress, so I can relate. These ponderings of mine are a reminder to me, too!
RitaJC said
Thanks for sharing, Indigene!
Indigene said
Thank you for commenting, Rita.
Kim said
Ooh, that book looks really good! Thanks for the link.
I am not so great with change. I love to go to new restaurants, find new authors, visit new places, but I don't like change in my foundations like home and normal routine, etc. As soon as (inevitable) changes come along, I get really thrown and unsettled by it. I generally move forward by filling up my days with things that make me feel calm and happy. Reading. Knitting. Watching reruns of favorite TV shows and movies. Cooking favorite foods. Lots of self-care and self-comfort carry me through times of change.
Indigene said
Thanks for stopping by Kim!I think you have to find what works for you. I know avoiding change doesn’t work; sometimes it’s just inevitable.