“To believe in the heroic makes heroes.” ~Disraeli
I just put that quote up on Twitter. It was in a book I am reading. It started me thinking about stories, mythologies, and what wonderful guiding lights they are for our lives. We live through stories. Stories we tell ourselves about ourselves and the world, and those that come from interacting with others.
Stories cause us to create mental images, pictures associated with the words, symbols. Symbols allow us to communicate a vast amount of information very succinctly. It’s how we are able to learn as much as we do in a lifetime.
There is great value in all stories and mythologies. That’s why I am so interested in what I would describe as metamythology. It’s possible I just made up a word, but if I did, I can’t help it, I don’t have another word for it.
What interests me most in literature, both secular and religious, is the archetypes and symbols and their meanings. Huge life lessons and deep insights into universal themes are contained within the great legends. I love grand themes such as the nature of the true hero. Heroes behave in ways that are noble and based in honor and good faith. People are helped by reading stories about heroes because taking in the ideas can awaken those noble characteristics within us.
The great thing is, we all get to choose what our mythology will be. It is up to each of us whether our story will be one of triumph or tragedy. We are writing it each day through our thoughts, words and deeds.
How does the story of your life read?
