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Thursday, August 26, 2010

You're Epic..Really!


Blogging: dumping the contents of my brain, and guts, onto paper, then sorting through the mess in order to find something worthy of showcasing: last night’s supper, my dog’s skin condition, my friend’s obsession with frogs. These are all in there but hardly worth framing and hanging on my online wall.
Pushing aside the above mentioned debris, I dig deeper; spotting a little tidbit that has had me inspired for nearly a week now. It’s the words from a simple little book that seem to have awakened my soul to the expectation of something more…something real and permanent. This is why I love words, and books, and people, because you never know when you’re going to stumble upon a treasure excavated from the heart of a fellow sojourner.
This something that I found is still vague, in that I have mostly given mental assent to it, and haven’t practiced it for long, but I like how it feels. It fits. It’s epic. No really, that’s the name of the little book. Epic, by: John Elderedge. Drawing from such classics as the Last of The Mohicans, Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, and Gladiator, Mr. Elderedge explains how our lives are an epic tale much like the afore mentioned movies.
From cradle to grave our lives are rocked with unexpected events where we must push against insurmountable odds to survive and succeed. Comedy and tragedy, good and evil, heroes and villains, all are randomly peppered into our lives while we struggle to love, and live with bravery, compassion, and dignity. Of course not everyone struggles to behave in a noble way; some actually enjoy causing misery and pain to others. I guess these would be the villains.
Our lives are the epic tales in which we have found ourselves. Like the great Gladiator, Maximus, we stand in the arena of life fighting against all that seeks to slay our spirits, hearts, and finally, our bodies. It's easy for me to visualize the stands, packed with cheering pilgrims who have gone on before us, chanting encouragement and channeling might.
Viewing my life as such has ignited a bit of bravery in this overly anxious suburbanite, causing me to confront the smaller battles in my life with boldness and wisdom, and helping me to mentally prepare myself for the larger attacks from the evil villains that await me. I want to beat the odds, stay true to myself, while offering kindness and compassion to others. And then, when I close my eyes to this arena, I intend to open them to my true homeland on the other side; a land where my epic continues, only the villains will be silenced and living happily ever after is my reward.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love this article, some peoples tales are more epic than others and some stories are sadder than ours. I wonder if someone watched our planet and watched our lives like some movie we would watch?

Leah Griffith said...

I know I enjoy reality TV because I get to watch how other people deal with the issues of life. So...yes, I think we would watch.

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed this. The epic of my life needs a little breather right now! Love the way you put things. Thanks. I needed this today.

Leah Griffith said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Leah Griffith said...

Life is one looong MESSY epic Beth. Glad you enjoyed it.

Cathy said...

Your posts draw me in with such ease! That our lives are epics, yes, from birth to death, from chaos to care, delirium to delight. It's a wonder we ever get anything of epic proportion done, what with all this bouncing back and forth! Speaking of epics, I've been reading a book by Christopher Vogler called, 'The Writer's Journey', a book about The Hero's Journey (ala Joseph Campbell), a journey where the hero, accompanied by a following of the quintessential archetypes present in all memorable myth, legend, tale and story, succeeds or doesn't in his quest. It's a fascinating theory and a highly recommended read for all artists...

Leah Griffith said...

Thank you Cathy. Yours do the same for me.
I get the sense that we often forget how epic our lives are, feeling alone, confused, and sometimes afraid. I like to think that the arena is full of cheering fans, souls who have gone on before us and made it to the other side, and who know the glory of all the answers.
I'll be getting Christopher Vogler's book as I believe you and I have similar tastes.

Jayne said...

Leah, I'd already heard of how wonderful Elderedge's Epic is, and now comes you to seal the deal--placing it on order now...

And I'm not so sure about the short list not worth framing, particularly by you, who never seems to miss the deeper meaning of ordinary things. (What lies beneath that frog obsession?!) I mean, you know how to mine a thing. ;)

Epic tales were some of the first stories written, and while life has changed/progressed immensely since their writings, it's remarkable how the underlying story has stayed the same. I think that's what makes them so Epic!--the timeless quality, the truths they speak.

Beautiful musings, Leah. :)

photos by jan said...

Wonderful, I love the way you put this, very true in so many ways. My life as epic, yep, you could say that.

Rimly said...

Leah our life is indeed and epic with villains and heroes. We need to have both I guess in our lives to keep the balance. Loved it

Martha Jane Orlando said...

A beautiful, insightful post as always!
This sounds like a book I would love to read. Will look it up soon as I continue on this epic journey of my life. :)
Blessings, Leah!

Shreya said...

I agree with Rimly's comment :) Great work :) xx

David said...

Fact is stranger than fiction and most life's have all the ingredients to make a decent read though my saga certainly turned sorrowful upon Erin's passing but days of sunshine lie ahead. The road isn't always easy but is's necessary for growth. Take care! David

P.S. I enjoy dog ailment blogs ;)

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