Blind Mans Buff and The Anti-Heroes Journey – another theory of professional practice

another edit,another reflection, a dramatic change from hero to anti-hero. This feels better……

The Hero’s Journey is a pattern of narrative identified by the American scholar Joseph Campbell that appears in drama, storytelling, myth, religious ritual, and psychological development.  It describes the typical adventure of the archetype known as The Hero, the person who goes out and achieves great deeds on behalf of the group, tribe, or civilization. I’ve adapted it  (again) and renamed it the anti-hero journey. Why? Well I dislike the notion of the hero in my work – because I’m not one, I’m just someone doing a job.I also believe in collaboration and working together, not necessarily always following a leader. Sometimes it may be necessary – after all, you can’t have the blind leading the blind, can you? The journey through a special world for this anti-hero stages are: 1.        THE ORDINARY WORLD – is where people don’t take risks, they stay safe, they know where they are going. 2.        THE CALL TO ADVENTURE  – is opening up to possibilities, being drawn to change and new experiences 3.        REFUSAL OF THE CALL – when fear sets in, hesitancy 4.        MEETING WITH THE MENTOR – talking regularly with Flow, having updates, being reassured 5.        CROSSING THE THRESHOLD – signing the contract, providing funding or resources, enabling the journey to truly begin 6.        TESTS, ALLIES AND ENEMIES – identifying the boundaries or blocks along the way, testing the edges, revising the plan if necessary 7.        APPROACH – agreeing the best way forward, together 8.        THE ORDEAL – solving things together, enjoying challenges, staying brave 9.        THE REWARD – the artwork is well under way, the final stages are made clear 10.      THE ROAD BACK – reflection, evaluation and celebrating the achievement 11.     THE RESURRECTION – the assessing and the future planning that is also an outcome 12.       RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR  – the project is launched, shared and enjoyed and the participants are safe and replete Partners are invited to engage along the way. Like perspective, as we get nearer the end of the journey more will be revealed. At every stage along the way you are welcome to make suggestions, ask questions, share stories about the journey. There are choices to be made on any journey – partners can accompany the team all the way and contribute and participate actively at every stage. Or they can trust Flow to go through the journey without them. Either way, you can expect a New World by the end.