60-or-so years ago, a writer named Joseph Campbell traveled the globe researching the greatest "Heroes" in our history: People like:
Moses
Buddha
St. Anthony
Prometheus
Osiris
People like that. Legends.
Mr. Campbell broke down the common paths that every
single one of those Heroes followed on their way to legend-status. And created what we now call "The Hero's
Journey."
Here's the basic idea: At some point in our lives, we are all "called”
to do something.
It might be to travel. It might be to write a book. Or, it MIGHT be… Basketball.
Doesn't matter:
We are ALL hard-wired to feel this "call"
deep down inside of us. Something pulling us into action, pulling us
to become who we are "meant to be."
We don't have a choice in this, either.
It's been programmed into us through decades of rituals where:
- A
young man is sent into the jungle for the first time - alone - to bring
back food for his tribe, or die in the process.
- An apprentice travels far and wide to meet "the teacher", who then puts him through dozens of intense trials before he is finally allowed to learn his craft. I can relate to this one with my Karate Sensei’s, :)
- A
boy living under a set of stairs gets a letter from an owl summoning him
to a world-famous school of witchcraft and wizardry where he continuously
battles a series of dark and powerful forces, before finally defeating the
un-nameable superpower who threatens to destroy the world if no one stops
him.
This "call to action" happens to
everyone, whether we like it or not.
Those who REFUSE the call never get to go through
their own personal series of trials; Never conquer their own "Hero's
Journey.” And are now stuck in purgatory for the rest of their lives:
Never quite becoming who they ARE, deep down. Never quite realizing their dreams. Never experiencing the life they could have
lived.
Actually, here are Mr. Campbell’s exact words:
"Often in actual life, we encounter the dull
case of the call unanswered; for it is always possible to turn the ear to other
interests. Refusal of the summons converts the adventure into its negative. Walled in boredom, the subject becomes a
victim. His flowering world becomes a
wasteland of dry stones and his life feels meaningless. Whatever house he
builds, it will be a house of death. All he can do is create new problems for
himself and await the gradual approach of his disintegration.”
- Joseph Campbell
The Hero with A Thousand Faces, 1949
Harsh - and wise - words.
And here's where you come in:
Someday, you're going to be "called" to
do something.
I can't tell you what that thing is. But if you're here, reading this right now,
I'm guessing you've already had your first call and it won't be your last.
The future holds many, MANY more adventures.
And when those calls come, just remember:
The journey is NOT optional.
Not for a True Elite.
But your journey today:
Finding the best training and coaching available seeking out the best players to match up against. Like this Saturday at J Serra High School at 10 a.m., where we have NBA players, college and high school players all playing on the court; on their quest to be the best. Exposing yourself to high
pressure game situations drilling yourself every single day, alone, in the gym never backing down from a single challenge along your path. And, finally becoming the player (and PERSON)
you're meant to be.
Like I said:
If you're here, right now, reading this. Your call to action has already come!
All you have to do now is take it.
We have a few of our players on that Hero's Journey right now, Gage, Luis, Ivan, Gianni, Ryan, Andre, Clarissa, Julia, Spider, Amazon.
Coach John Saintignon
Pursue your Passion!
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