image source: Rotten Tomatoes

I subscribe to Joseph Campbell’s theory that all heroic stories follow the same archetype pattern called the monomyth. The hero gets the call to the great adventure, overcomes threshold guardians along the way, then finally defeating the great monster that guarded the treasure, only to realize that the experience from the journey was as valuable as the treasure. From Gilgamesh to Star Wars, all the great hero stories followed the same pattern.

If the hero’s journey was played out over and over again in stories throughout history, then why do we still enjoy new stories that follow this predictable pattern? Because it resonates with us. We can’t get enough of it. In one form or another , this journey is one that we all yearn for ourselves. This includes blockbuster superhero movies.

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image source: apesara

When generativity, creativity, generosity, and the capacity to embrace life dry up, the Water of Life has gone underground. At such times, the earth becomes arid, life becomes devoid of meaning, the ground of culture cracks and splits, and gaps develop among peoples and between people and nature. Only water can bring the pieces back together, awaken seeds hidden in the ground, and enliven the parched Tree of Life.
- Michael J. Meade, Men and the Water of Life

Have you lost your passion? Perhaps it could be for work. Or for your significant other. Or, perhaps it’s some goal, some pursuit, some mission that you have been faithfully serving all your life but the realities of the day-to-day has worn your passion down. This article is simply one person’s opinion of how to get that passion back.

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image source: Powderruns

Life = Risk.

That’s OK. It’s a good thing.

You gotta take that risk believing you will succeed, even though you know the truth that you might not. If success was guaranteed, where’s the fun in that?

I recently wrote about how failure is better than inaction, and I also mentioned how defeat can be a set-up for more important victories in the future. I don’t want to beat this theme to death, but I recently came across a video that was related to this topic that really moved me.

Here is the video I’m talking about. Hope you enjoy it like I did.
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Source: Wikipedia

Dear Senator McCain and Senator Obama:

You are running for a position that we lost faith in. According to a recent poll, President Bush’s approval ratings were at 23%, breaking records for the worst ever. President Clinton got himself impeached before leaving office as well. Prior to that, President George H. W. Bush’s approval ratings were at 37% on the eve of the 1992 election day.

One of you will be the 44th US President. For the winner, remember this… be the great leader that is needed. Earn our support. Get back to first principles. You only need to look to the first President as a model for being a great leader.
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Source: vernieman

It seems like the Prius is the car to own if you want to show off your environmental conscience. As a clincher, throw in a trunk full of pricey organic foods and make sure people see you carry them in eco-friendly $960 designer reusable grocery bags (I have reusable grocery bags too, but mine are $958 cheaper).

OK, putting the eco-hype aside, the Prius is a pretty amazing tale of success. The story of Prius is an excellent case study for innovation. The term “innovation” carries a lot of loaded meaning, so I need to be explicit. I define “innovation” as a creative solution that is commercially successful. Aspiring entrepreneurs can learn something here.

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