A Hero's Journey...

by Don Carter
(Central Missouri )

In 1968 Joseph Campbell wanted to know what it took to be a "hero" so he studied all the stories he could find about real-life and mythical heroes. He found that there was indeed a theme and he named it "A Hero's Journey".

I like this model as a way to describe the journey of recovery; whether it's recovery from addiction, codependency, Adult/Child Syndrome, or any other chronic condition. Below is my take on A Hero's Journey as it relates to 12-step recovery:

1. Hear a Calling – Through an event referred to as the "wake-up call" or "hitting bottom" our hero first "hears their calling" to change.

2. Accept the Call – Ignoring the calling causes the symptoms or problem to intensify...until acceptance of the calling is the only healthy option left.

3. Crossing the Threshold – Deciding to step out of one's "comfort zone" (familiar old life) and into "recovery" (awkward new life) with the help of mentors and other supports. A good analogy for what it's like to make this transition is to imagine leaving your own country and finding yourself in a foreign land where you know nothing about the language, social norms, or culture -- you would need a guide, mentors, or teachers to teach you the language and show you the way.

4. Facing Your "Demons" – With the help of your new mentors and friends who have been-there-and-done-that...facing your fears, cycles of abandonment, shame or contempt, and other unhealthy behavioral & emotional patterns that keep you stuck in the problem.

5. Transform Your "Demons" – The spiritual development in recovery leads to powerful new coping skills, self-awareness, and principles for living that help you overcome what seemed impossible to overcome before. The new recovery skills replace the old survival skills that are no longer helpful or necessary.

6. Fulfill the Calling – As a result of this journey, a fulfilling, successful way of life that fulfills the calling replaces the old painful way of life -- A new "comfort zone" is achieved.

7. Homecoming – Carrying the message of hope back home & pass on what you have learned to others who are stuck in a similar way -- You must give it away in order to keep it.

So, you can see why everyone who has ever taken part in the journey of recovery is truly a HERO or HEROINE in my eyes -- Pass it on!!

Don