The Paradox of the Hero’s Journey

"The hero's journey is all about you... but it's not about you, at all." -- Jeff Sandefer

My studies this week have brought me closer to understanding how the rest of my life will be pursued. I decided in an earlier lesson what kind of business I want to pursue, and the things my class studied this week have confirmed my decision. For the first time in my life I feel that I understand what I truly want to do, who I want to become, and how I want to arrive at my destination. 

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Knowing what to do, and the right time to do it, is essential to finding happiness in our journey through life. I now understand that, just like money in business (or any other measure of success), finding happiness in business will be elusive if I focus just on my happiness.

Jesus taught that "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:25-26).

So the answer to the paradox of the hero’s journey is simply this – when we lose ourselves in the service of others we will find the happiness and success we seek. They will be the natural result of the work we do. And we will receive them without losing sight of what is truly important in life.