The following is a guest post by Omer Redden. You can read more about him at omerdylanredden.com
Author’s preface: Throughout my life, I’ve been tutored by some tremendous guides. Whether it was an English teacher, a football coach, a business owner, or an exceptional father, I’ve brushed shoulders with many men who are living admirable lives. Over the years, I’ve made a conscious effort to learn from these men because it is my firm belief that heroes are not self-made. With that, let’s begin:
If you know anything about story, you know that all stories tend to follow a similar structure. In other words, there is a certain formula to every story.
Stories resonate with us because they have a subjective and objective element about them. Subjectively, every hero’s situation is slightly different. Frodo must destroy the ring. Luke Skywalker must destroy the death star. Maximus Decimus Meridius must win the gladiator battles.
But every hero’s story is also objective, in that there must be a problem with a solution. There must be a moral lesson, a philosophical lesson, a uniting principle that rings true throughout the universe.
Frodo and Luke Skywalker are in a battle of good vs. evil. Maximus is in a similar battle, but because Gladiator is less of a fantasy movie, we see more in the way of the perseverance of the human spirit.
What’s interesting about each of these stories is not that everyone remembers the hero and the struggle; the hero is clear to everyone. What’s interesting is that everyone can also name the guide in each of these stories as well:
- Frodo = Gandalf (and Samwise)
- Luke Skywalker = Yoda (and Obi-Wan)
- Maximus = Marcus Aurelius
The guide (or mentor) is the person who provides wisdom, counsel, and knowledge along the way. In many ways, the guide is the person who gives the plan to the hero and says, “Now it’s up to you. Execute it.”
When it comes to our own life stories, we need guides too. We need people who are a little further a the journey, people who have been there before, people who have some experience under their belts and have probably succeeded at what we’re now trying to accomplish.
I’m convinced that every hero needs a guide.
I’m convinced that no one can be a hero until they have a guide.
No one can be a hero until they have a guide. (Tweet this!)
So here’s my challenge to you:
If you want to be a hero, start searching for a guide.
And may the Force be with you.
Hi, I’m Omer. I’m the author of 2 books, husband of one wife, father of three children.
I work with Self-Publishing School, helping aspiring authors go from no-idea to best-seller on Amazon in 90 days. I don’t use social media often, but when I do, you can find me on Twitter and at omerdylanredden.com.
LIVE THE HERO 