Stories have been a part of our lives since our childhood. I’m sure you have a favorite story that was either told to you verbally or was a favorite bedtime story read to you over and over again. How big was the story? Not the number of pages, but the characters in the book, were they larger than life?
Myths are great parts of every culture because they embody who we are as humans. They take into account universal themes and that makes them accepted throughout the culture. It’s the universality that allows buy-in from the masses and once the story is adopted people begin to use it as part of their personal history.
Following your diagnosis did you begin to have thoughts or dreams of Atlas or Hercules? Are there other mythic stories that represent your journey to wellness? Your diagnosis was your initiation to the underworld. Following the diagnosis your energy is focused on ascending the ladder to health. Knights slew dragons, Harry Potter fights evil energy, and you are taking on your illness.
Once the shock of the diagnosis wears off you come to a place of understanding and determination to overcome the challenge. You begin to call in all your knowledge and support to conquer your dragon. Obviously it’s not an easy task. If you ask those who have reached a place of acceptance, whether or not they were cured, you will hear them speak of their personal transformation. This transformation is the culmination of winning the battles along the way.
What story does your life tell? Is it of mythic proportion? Would you like it to be? If so how will you make it so? Myths are rooted in our soul connecting us all to one big story. I hope you’ll tell your story because we don’t want any gaps in the bigger story.
Pilgrim Pathway/Surviving Strong 