We often hear about something or another that a celebrity has accomplished, their hero’s journey, fighting for others, a cause, a principle, or a personal journey of transformation. People that come to mind are:
1. Elizabeth Gilbert and her memoir Eat, Pray, Love which has inspired so many others now to embrace their personal journeys
2. Angelina Jolie and her choice to undergo a double mastectomy after discovering she carries the BRCA1 breast cancer gene and losing her mother and aunt to the ovarian and breast cancer
3. Other artists like Bono (U2), Peter Gabriel, Dave Matthews, Sting and others have been working to end poverty, hunger, lack of education, AIDS, and violence.
But heroes come from everyday people through their personal journeys. It doesn’t require selfless acts, to help others, to be a hero. Heroes emerge from the beautiful expression of human frailty and overcoming, or living with, our suffering and transformation. Joseph Campbell says that just the act of being born is an example of heroism.
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” – Anais Nin
“We’re not on our journey to save the world but to save ourselves. But in doing that you save the world. The influence of a vital person vitalizes.” – Joseph Campbell
Minstrels and Muses Press has started a book project to share these stories and photos of inspiration and transformation with others. My personal journey will be included. We want to hear and share your story too. If you, or someone you know, might be interested, please contact us. Let’s celebrate everyday heroes together.
