Written by: Calvin Niles, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Right now, the world is in a state of upheaval. It seems that everywhere we look, there are challenges on a scale much bigger than the last “unprecedented” event. Suddenly, stories that you thought were confined to the pages of history are happening in real-time. Human rights are being challenged in places once thought safe. War seems to be inching closer to your doorstep. Fears of famine are feeding your sense of overwhelm and you feel helpless. Yet there is a glimmer of opportunity twinkling in the center of the chaos – an opportunity to transform. We are being called to step into our power and do something great. Can you hear it? You are being called. This is your call to adventure. Will you answer the call?
What is the call to adventure?
The call to adventure is within each of us, as an inner quest. It is a step on The Hero’s Journey that was popularised by American writer and professor of literature Joseph Campbell who worked in comparative mythology. The hero’s journey is used to express the universal story of human experience where the hero of the story goes through a journey of transformation. We see it in mainstream stories all over the world but more pertinently we see it in our lives. The call to adventure is one of the first stages of that hero’s journey. When the hero is presented with a challenge, they can no longer remain in their ordinary world. They are called to start a journey that will change their lives.
How to identify if you are being called to adventure
You are faced with a big, deep challenge. The challenge is triggered by external events which can include conflict, relationship problems, bereavement, or big societal issues affecting your community. These external events trigger internal feelings that can show up as fear, stress, anxiety or depression, or very uncomfortable feelings that may arise. Externally the world is forcing you out of your sleep and you start to pay attention. You may start to sense that something new is being called upon you and you must decide how to respond.
Answering the call
It may be tempting to deny the call and stay where you are. You know you need to act but you aren’t sure you can. The overwhelm is compounded by your old stories and habit patterns convincing you to stay where you are. This is your Refusal of the Call. But a voice inside of you beckons you on. Or maybe someone else comes along and stokes the fire burning in you asking for change. You have met your mentor and they are asking you to choose. They ask you to commit to the course of change because your role is more important than you realize. You eventually take a leap of faith, and you decide to heed the call. You have committed to Crossing the Threshold, and your hero’s journey of transformation has begun, again.
These times are full of opportunity
At some point, we have all been faced with the dirt of the challenge and missed the golden opportunity underneath. The two are inseparable. There is no rush but there is urgency. You will seize this opportunity before you when the time is right for you. Take this message today as your call to action.
Pause. Take stock. Allow the emotions you are experiencing whether they be grief, guilt, anger, or despair. Trust your body at this moment as it speaks. Make your next step an intentional one.
This is an exciting time to be alive it can also be overwhelming. But do not underestimate your capability and the opportunity that you have to navigate these challenging times and emerge stronger than ever. Meeting the challenges of the future requires a version of yourself that you are yet to discover. As Vietnamese Buddhist Teacher Thich Nhat Hanh says, the way out is in.
Want to create a new story for your life? Follow Calvin for more on stories, mindfulness, and poetry on his YouTube channel, connect with him on Instagram or visit his website for more.
Calvin Niles, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Calvin Niles is a coach and consultant known as The Mindful Storyteller, making a positive impact on the lives of leaders, entrepreneurs, coaches, and wider society through his services and products. Through his experience in mindfulness, storytelling, coaching, and business, he empowers others to be authentic in their life and work Calvin has worked with hundreds of people from leaders in large corporates to SMEs, and from solopreneurs to some of the top 10 charities in the UK.
