The Hero's Journey: Embracing the Thousand Faces Within Us

When I first heard the phrase "life motivation", it seemed to mean relentless hard work in the face of life's challenges. But is that really the case? Or why do we think it should be this way? Perhaps we need motivation because we constantly face problems and need to resolve them? In my opinion, motivation is the thoughts and feelings that drive a child to work and save money for a toy they deeply desire, a young person to realize their dream project, or a lover to reunite with their beloved. No matter how challenging the task or what obstacles arise during a project, it's the emotion that keeps you going. You don't think too much; problems stack up, block your path, people talk behind your back, and try to undermine you, but you keep pushing. You might not always be at full strength; sometimes, you drag yourself forward. You might experience a harsh fall or lose the person you value most, but you press on. Because as the writer mentioned, on some days, the breeze at dawn gives you a unique sense of freedom, making you restless.

Joseph Campbell beautifully elaborated on this in his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces." He examined recurring themes in ancient myths and found the following pattern: A hero first receives a message, a call for help, a request from a princess, or the oppression of a child. The hero then accepts the message, approaches a mentor or sage, and acquires knowledge or an item to assist in their mission. They face dangers, come to the brink of death, with seemingly no chance of survival, having been stabbed in the heart, limbs broken. But they persist and, in doing so, heal and grow stronger. They complete their mission and return home. This narrative feels all too familiar. Looking at my close circle, my teachers, friends, and my own life, it really does happen this way. We face great challenges, people talk behind our backs, they try to undermine us, but we persist – at least the people I admire do. They hear unspeakable slanders but continue, they fall ill yet press on, they are belittled and looked down upon, but they don't stop. From what I know, they all have one thing in common: they have something they want, and it's crucial to them. No other reason is needed.

In life, motivation isn't just about overcoming difficulties but about the passion and drive that helps us pursue what truly matters to us, no matter the odds.