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Skribentens bildSophie Hedberg

The Heroine’s Journey & The Power of Story

So many women of all ages around the world are stepping out right now, in a way that has never been seen or done before, longing to contribute and be a part of the massive force for good, speaking their truths and that way (whether they know it or not) liberating other people from their own insecurities. To me, they are all Heroine’s.


The concept of the Heroine’s Journey is nothing new, nor are the principles presented in my book. Creative ideas are seldomly very unique, but the way they are assembled and connected can be done in new ways. I’ve had some amazing teachers throughout the years, known and unknown, and my voice in my book, and this blog, is reflecting all of theirs. We all build on what came before us, we are not separate from everything else. Thank God for that!


I’m writing the book I always wished I’d had on my own journey. My inspiration comes from the numerous women whom I have had the privilege to coach and teach over the years, and where I’ve seen that it’s more relevant than ever before to learn to apply the idea of a Heroine’s Journey and its timeless principles so that we can become empowered, reach meaningful goals and make a lasting contribution. This applies to men and women both – but especially for women.


We need something to hold on to, something solid like a map, since the territory we are exploring now is different from previous generations. We are shifting from a predominantly male society to one where female principles are being upgraded and valued in new ways. We only have to turn to recent research findings within leadership to see that qualities such as empathy, compassion, inclusion and active listening are being listed as top leadership qualities. Traditionally these have been seen as “soft”, feminine qualities, not necessarily part of a leader’s every day tool kit. However, this is finally changing now!



Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away…

Most of the great stories of both the past and present times follow a dramatic arc, a storytelling tradition dating way back to our ancestors sitting by the firepit at night. George Lucas, the creator of “Star Wars” has said that if it wasn’t for the american author and mythology expert, professor Joseph Campbell and his book “The Hero’s Journey”, Star Wars the movie might never have seen the light of day.

Going back in history, most stories told were about killing dragons and monsters on our path to finding the holy grail while in our modern time most stories are about overcoming and mastering our inner obstacles and demons that prevent us from becoming who we want to be, and were meant to be.



THE POWER OF STORY


 


In a time in history when so many of us long for and are looking for true meaning and a direction in a world that seems overwhelming, myths are clues to our own inner world and guides us to a place where the possibility and potential lies, where we have the ability to unlock our own voice of wisdom. Myths and stories cast light on our road ahead, creating clarity, certainty and resilience.


My book is built on the idea of Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey narrative. As an expert on world myths, Campbell said that all stories are humanities stories, no matter the differences on the surface. Deep down we’re all the same and by following those who have gone before us, we don’t have to travel alone in the dark. By following the thread laid out by all the great heroines and teachers and use powerful stories as clues to our inner worlds, we can allow them to guide us to go there to find our true potential, the truth of who we are and what we are here to do.


Coaching leaders for a number of years I have found it to be an extremely powerful self leadership tool – as well as a tool for leading others – for personal and professional transformation as it gives us a road map to understanding ourselves and others on a deeper and much more authentic and vibrant level, cutting to the core of who we really are and what we are about. In other words, making it possible for us to create a truly authentic leadership, one day leaving this earth with a sense of true and meaningful accomplishment.


But how do you go about the actual day to day journey? What’s the process, the steps, the secret ingredients, the pitfalls and the rewards and how can we use this for personal and professional transformation in our every day lives to become empowered?


That is what this blog, and my book is all about.


By following along, you don’t have to travel alone. You’re in great company of so many sisters and friends who long for the same things as you do, and this sense of community and beloning together with others, is perhaps the most rewarding experience of them all.


Sharing our stories and learning through them, coming together during this brief period of time to create a lasting sense of connection to pass on to generations to come, is what it’s all about. At least for me.


People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive
–Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth



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