Breaking Free Like a Hero
Stories of heroes surround us from history to pop culture to the neighbor next door. The stories of heroes who have done monumental things and changed the course of the world to stories of heroes who overcame a personal struggle. In the book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, the reader finds compilation of a lifetime of work by Joseph Campbell. The idea that Campbell puts forth is that of a monomyth, that as humans we are hardwired for hero stories, that life is a hero’s journey. So if the human existence is that of the hero’s journey then these stories are not simply meant for someone else, they are meant for you and for me. Yet, we cling to the stories of others avoiding our own because it is easier to see the story of someone else which has an ending than to face the unknown ending of our own.
Campbell writes in his book “The agony of breaking through personal limitations is the agony of spiritual growth.” Art, literature, myth and cult, philosophy, and ascetic disciplines are instruments to help the individual past his limiting horizons into spheres of ever-expanding realization.” [1] There is an “agony of breaking” that is a part of the hero’s journey it is a precursor to growth or the next part of the journey. It is a breaking of the personal limitations, the barriers that are self imposed.
So often as leaders we are striving to hold things together; to hold our lives together, to hold our organization together, our families, the lives of others, and all the responsibilities that are placed on a leader we hold them together. As leaders we often fear the breaking apart of things and we will sacrifice ourselves on the alter of holding it all together thinking that will make us a hero. It will surely make us a martyr; a hero faces the “agony of breaking through”
Throughout nature we see the need for breaking in order for something new to be born. Massive forest are reborn from fire, diamonds are formed through heat and pressure, babies are born through pain and agony, mountain ranges are formed through. earthquakes and the breaking of new ground. Yet, as humans we try to avoid this growth and rebirth unless we can see it in the story of another, a hero we can cheer for from the sideline. The world needs leaders who are willing to travel the hero’s journey and break through, break free of the barriers and forge a new way forward.
So, leaders let us not be the martyr of holding everything together, let us be willing to let some things break, let us be willing to lay some things aside, and let us be willing to journey forward through life like the heroes that we are.
[1] Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces (Joseph Campbell Foundation, 2020), 163.
About the Author
Sara Taylor Lattimore
Sara is adopted, a wife of 17 years, a mother to 2 amazing children who give her opportunities to be a cheerleader, dress up like a princess, play soccer in the mud, and go on amazing adventures. With a Bachelors in political science and sociology, Sara worked for Child Protective Services as a legal caseworker before following a call into full-time ministry in 2008. During her time in full-time ministry Sara has served in medium to large size local congregations, as well as camp ministry. Sara has a passion for serving others, writing, and speaking. In 2016 Sara worked on a joint publication as a Curriculum Writer. Sara wrote the Intergenerational/Family & Day Camp Resources in “Beyond Belief” for InsideOut Christian Resources for Outdoor Ministry- Published by Chalice Press- Release Date 2018. Sara is looking forward to writing her own book next. Sara completed her MDiv from Iliff School of Theology in 2019 and is currently working on her Doctorate in Leadership and Global Perspectives from Portland Seminary. Sara currently serves as Lead Pastor of a local church in Southwestern Montana. She has previously served in ministry positions leading congregations in engaging globally in healthy mission and outreach partnerships, living life missionally, building innovative programs, and building relationships as the Director of Missions and Outreach, College Ministry Coordinator, Family and Children’s Ministry Director, Director of Christian Education, and Camp Program Director. She is an innovator and visionary who looks to find empowering and dignity restoring ways of building communities of belonging, while listening and partnering with others to find ways to also address the needs of the communities she is planted in. Beyond her work, Sara dreams of growing her family through adoption, kayaking with Orcas, going on pilgrimage on the Camino De Santiago in Spain, traveling in an RV across North America, and traveling internationally.3 responses to “Breaking Free Like a Hero”
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Sara,
Thank you for the perspective you bring on the hero’s journey.
When I read this sentence, I paused:
“we cling to the stories of others avoiding our own because it is easier to see the story of someone else which has an ending than to face the unknown ending of our own.”
I think I have done this. It is easy for me to focus/help others in their journey. But I am wondering about what my father taught me: “When you are helping others fulfill their dreams, you will find yourself fulfilling your dreams too.” Do you have any thoughts on this? I’m thinking you might have some wise input. 🙂
Kristy,
thanks for your question. I think your father had some wise words. I have noticed that as humans we tend to gravitate towards others that we share passions with and so your father would be right if we help others reach then we too will be reaching and thus fulfilling both of our dreams. I think the other angle of this could be that as helpers when we see others succeed it gives us a boost because that is our passion to see others become fully who they were created to be. There is certainly a lot to ponder in that quote.
Thanks for your reflection on the Hero’s Journey. I agree with your comment “The world needs leaders who are willing to travel the hero’s journey and breakthrough, break free of the barriers and forge a new way forward.” Have you made it through a full cycle in your own Hero’s Journey?