Lately I've been really contemplating the preconceived limitations that we often place on ourselves and wondering what sorts of masterpieces each of us could be creating if we could just shake free of the mundane and the ordinary, push aside the goal of "just getting by", and start thinking of ourselves as real heroes in training.
As I've been in this reflective mood, I happened across an amazing book that I recommend to everyone who's interested in exploring their untapped potential--it's called "The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire" by Deepak Chopra.
In it he said something that blew my mind:
"We know that our deepest relationships and meanings and contexts derive from the soul. And our aspiration, that grand and wonderful and mythical thing that we yearn to do, also ultimately derives from the soul. In our time here on earth, this individual soul will not be fulfilled unless it completes its mythical quest, which we can think of as the Grand Plan around which our destinies are organized. Inside every human being there is an overarching theme, a template for heroic living, a god or goddess in embryo that yearns to be born. This is who we were meant to be, the self that we deny ourselves because most of us cannot see the limitless potential that is open to us. This is our best self, the egoless self, that bit of the universe acting through us for the good of all."
The Mythical Quest
So, a mythical quest is something that we are born to do, and it's different for each person. We were all put on this earth for a reason, and we each have skills, talents, and qualities that are unlike any other person who ever walked the planet. Going on a mythical quest means working to fulfill our special purpose in life and to become the heroic person we were meant to be.
As entrepreneurs and creative individuals, I think that you and I are already going in the direction of tapping into the idea that we have limitless potential, that we can imagine something amazing or "impossible" in our heads and make it a reality.
Although we may already have the inclination to think heroically, we are still human
,
and for all human beings it takes a quantum leap of faith, courage and
creativity to abandon what is known and comfortable to go on our hero
quest.
What Are You Doing BIG?
For myself, I have decided that it's time to go on my mythical quest. I have a few specific ideas of what this will entail, but I'm not quite ready to reveal the exact elements what my quest will be yet (still fleshing them out in my mind).
I can tell you however, that one of my quests is business related and involves using web publishing to change, heal and transform the world.
The other of my quests involves a very difficult physical challenge that once completed will transform my life and potentially the lives of others.
I am completely excited about throwing aside all preconceived limitations and going on these hero quests
. I promise to tell you more about them later.
In the meantime, I wanted to ask you:
Do you have a quest of your own, or after reading this do you feel inspired to go on one?
Please share them, if you would, and tell us how you came to go on them and the impact they've had on your life so far.
P.S. I wanted to share this song by Counting Crows called "Murder of One", which has actually been a song that has been poking at me for a few years, urging me to think more heroically. Take a listen, and maybe you'll be inspired too.
Photo We can be Heroes
Originally uploaded by Kazze














Good stuff one of my current web projects has this very much in mind.
Thanks for always being an inspiration :)
D
Posted by: David Krug | August 15, 2007 at 09:13 AM
Hey D,
Really, it's hanging around you that has opened my mind to this type of stuff, the idea that anything we dream up we can accomplish and living from our hearts instead of our heads or wallets.
Thank you for that, always. You're one of my heroes :-)
S
Posted by: Sharon Sarmiento | August 15, 2007 at 10:14 AM
What an inspirational post, Sharon! Thanks for this.
We are absolutely the heroes of our own lives. In doing this, I try to be as present with my life as I can because I really believe that makes a difference. I put my full attention and energy into the things I choose to do. That makes me a hero to those around me because I come through for them -- I make it my primary goal.
I still make mistakes, but I sure make up for them when they happen. If we all left our camp sites much cleaner than how we found them, what an amazing world we would live in! The earth would be cared for, kids would be cared for, and it all ripples out.
I sure hope a lot of people read your post.
Posted by: KG | August 15, 2007 at 09:26 PM
Hey KG--Thanks so much. I love the way you've been showing your inner-hero :-). Like you, I've found that being "present" and living consciously makes a huge difference in the way we interact with the world.
In the Chopra book, one of the breakthrough things he said is:
"Imagine that every thought you have, every word you utter, every deed of yours brings some benefit to the world."
And so I've been doing this and it makes a huge difference in the way I react to situations and the thoughts I let run through my mind throughout the day.
The littlest of things can make an impact on the world, it's so true. Thanks so much for reminding us of that. :-)
Posted by: Sharon Sarmiento | August 16, 2007 at 11:46 AM
You might want to listen to the song "You Might Die Trying" by the Dave Matthews Band, from their acclaimed album, "Stand Up".
Posted by: Kyle | September 24, 2007 at 08:15 AM
Thanks Kyle--I'm listening to it right now! :-)
Posted by: Sharon Sarmiento | September 24, 2007 at 03:26 PM
Outstanding page. I have recently started a blog because of just the same inspirational fire. Click my name and tell me what you think!
Love,
Rian Fike
Posted by: Rian Fike | October 05, 2007 at 01:05 PM