The Heroic Parent's Journey
When an ordinary parent steps bravely into a crisis by confronting their biggest fears, and is transformed by the experience allowing them to live their best life.
The Hero's Journey
In comparative mythology, the hero's journey (or hero's quest), serves as a template for narratives featuring an ordinary individual thrust into an adventure against their will. Through overcoming challenges and confronting their blind spots, they emerge victorious and return home to live a more fulfilling existence. In reality, this 'adventure' often represents internal growth, while 'returning home' signifies a mental state rather than a physical location.
For those unfamiliar with the concept of the Hero’s Journey, here are the key stages: THE CALL TO ADVENTURE (an awareness that something is amiss); REFUSAL OF THE CALL (denial); CROSSING OF THE FIRST THRESHOLD (a triggering event that forces you out of denial); MEETING ALLIES (those trusty travelling companions who accompany you on your quest); WANDERING THROUGH THE LABYRINTH (a willingness to seek answers and learn about our true selves); THE SUPREME ORDEAL (facing our greatest fears in a series of tests we all must undergo to begin the transformation); THE DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL (getting glimpses of our blind spots and the source of them); FINDING THE MAGIC ELIXIR (self awareness); CROSSING THE RETURN THRESHOLD (reintegrating this self awareness into your life).
Ambiguous Grief
For heroic parents, the hero's journey reflects the stages of ambiguous grief. This grief journey is not triggered by death, but by the death of the dreams we have for our child and our complicated relationship with their challenges. This experience can be profoundly transformative, bringing forth difficult emotions such as guilt, shame, fear, regret and despair.
After my son’s struggles ignited my own life crisis, I spent considerable time navigating through my own labyrinth. During that journey, I realized that the magic elixir I sought was growth through grief and learning to lovingly 'Let Go.'
Grief is a human experience that deserves to be honoured. By embracing this ‘call to adventure’, you’ll discover that the hero’s journey is ultimately a spiritual one—an opportunity to heal what is broken within you and evolve into a healthier and happier version of yourself.
It is my dream to create a caring and compassionate community dedicated to helping parents on this complex grief journey heal, because this is the first step towards helping our children thrive.
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Please read my blog,
THE JOURNEY OF THE HEROIC PARENT:
Navigating Ambiguous Grief
HERE
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IF YOU ARE A HEROIC PARENT join me on this courageous adventure. Please reach out and we'll journey on together !
IF YOU ARE A PRACTITIONER who would like to run a retreat or a workshop for parents on this life changing journey, I want to hear from you!
Contact me here, I look forward to connecting with you, Sara