The name of the blog came to me in a random brainstorming session, but I didn't realize how applicable it would be until I started fleshing it out. The term "Threshold of Adventure" comes from a diagram created by a man named Joseph Campbell. The diagram is called the "Hero Quest Cycle" and was created to describe the path that Hero's follow both in text and in real life. Every Hero begins their journey in unremarkable times. But then something happens, and a major event acts as a catalyst for change. This leads the Hero to set off on a quest, to face unknown dangers, meet unfound friends, and share moments with an undiscovered love. Sounds like a smashing time right? Well where does the Threshold of Adventure come in you might ask? The threshold splits the Hero cycle in half, and can be seen as the separation of mundane life and the adventure. Past the threshold is where all the adrenaline pumping, fulfilling, exciting, and heart rending moments take place. Or if you play too many video games like me, you could see it as the Quest.
So to drive content for the blog, I've started to view my life like the Hero Quest cycle, and things got a lot more exciting. I haven't decided to go save a princess or anything outrageous(not that I wouldn't if I had the chance), the changes I made are much smaller than that. Each day is a cycle, you wake up and go to sleep, and that completes your circle. That means that every day you can cross the threshold if you want, it just depends on how much you want to mix it up. Are you going to try a new restaurant you've never had before? or just enjoy the comfort of a restaurant you know and love? I know I have days where each choice would make sense. That being said I am trying to cross the threshold more often, because that is when I feel the most alive. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to keep up following the cycle, but for right now it is a very inspiring, exciting, and adrenalizing shoe to try on. I encourage others to try it on if you see the benefit. I'll be trying it on all 2011! Which leads me to what will be my major theme this year: Cross the Threshold.
Happy New Year,
Nomad
Happy New Year,
Nomad
When Campbell discusses the guardians at the gate, it's fascinating. In some traditions, the guardians block your way across the threshold and you have to use your heroic qualities to defeat them. In other traditions, the guardians are fearsome, but their aspect is to invite you through--"be not afraid." And often the guardians are two figures with flaming swords. :)
ReplyDeleteWow that is super cool Jenn, thanks! I had been wondering how to quantify the difficulty in starting modern day adventures, but I should have known there was a little more to Campbell's diagram. I'm totally seeing scenes from "The Never Ending Story", the Sphinx guardians at the end, perfect.
ReplyDeleteI can totally see how there are guardians to the threshold. Guardians I often encounter; waking up, keeping myself healthy, making sure things won't fall apart while I am gone, setting aside time, setting aside money, and gathering the right people for the trip. These are all mundane, and each person probably has their own guardians that stand in their way, which others rarely encounter.
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