The Top 10 Thoughts on Rededication to Change (The Road Back)

Originally Submitted on 4/17/2001.

The Hero's Journey is another way of viewing a rite of passage or personal development: adolescence, first career, sobriety, parenthood, retirement, self-peace, etc. The Road Back is the tenth stage of this Hero's Journey. The hero has faced the shadow and has been victorious with his first attempt at big change. It is now time for the hero to rededicate himself to the cause and finish the journey.

1. After succeeding at the first attempt to change, the hero's next challenge is to use his new skills, insights, and realizations to help him achieve mastery of the problem.

How have you demonstrated mastery in your life?

2. The hero can only achieve mastery of the new found skill, knowledge, or insight by journeying back to the environment where he started.

Why do you think this is necessary?

3. Have you ever given up a goal after a first attempt at change?

What motivated you to quit?

4. Often the hero has become rather comfortable in his new environment and does not want to journey back.

Who can blame him? ;) Therefore, he must be sufficiently motivated by an outside force or an inner drive. Can you remember a time in your life when you were reluctant to finish a task?

5. At this point in the journey, the shadow may return with a vengeance to finish off the hero.

"The psychological meaning of such counterattacks is that neuroses, flaws, habits, desires, or addictions we have challenged may retreat for a time, but can rebound in a last-ditch defense or a desperate attack before being vanquished forever. Neuroses have a powerful life force of their own and will strike back when threatened." Christopher Vogler, The Writer's Journey

6. The hero may be chased out of the Special World by the shadow.

During the chase, the hero attempts to stall avenging forces until he can once again muster his resources and courage to deal with them. When have you run away?

7. The shadow may escape and the hero is motivated to leave the Special World to finish the involvement.

When have you sought to end darkness in your life?

8. The hero may experience another setback or loss from completing the journey.

This further loss fans the flames of completion. When have you had "enough?"

9. What emotions, fears, or beliefs may cause the hero to flounder or quit?

10. What emotions or skills serve the hero at this stage of the journey?

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