The Other Characters In Your Life's Story

I think if I asked him my five-year old son would say, “Spider-Man is my hero.” And, if I’m lucky, one day he’ll consider me his hero too. However, before too long, I will have to tell my son – “Be the hero in your life’s story.” As children get older and grow in consciousness, they realize that their parents have short-comings. Some become disillusioned and seek other role models. And, that’s ok, so long as the child knows that this role model can never be the central figure in his or her life’s story. Each of us is benefited by a healthy sense of self – that regardless of the challenges we are faced with, God has given each of us a plot we can resolve this lifetime. For those of us who are ready and willing to accept that we are that protagonist, that main character, that hero in this life’s story, the next step is to get to know the other roles.

For those familiar with the chakras, the hero is represented by the heart chakra. Strength of character is associated with the heart. All other characteristics support life’s purpose, which is primarily to evolve one’s character. At the epicenter of this evolutionary vessel is the heart. We travel through life mastering the challenges associated with conditioning the heart. This is why it is so important that we NEVER give our heart away. “Baby, you’re my hero. I want you to have my heart.” And, when it is time to learn the lessons of the heart, you will find that bad-boy right back in your chest, heavy with the pain of heartache. This is because you were always meant to be a hero in your own story. You were simply unaware.

So, if you are the hero, what are the other characters in the story? Well, Christopher Vogler, author of the book The Writer’s Journey has spent years developing six other characters that seem to always pop-up in people’s life stories. According to Vogler, anyone you encounter is either one or a combination of the seven main characters playing a role in the movie of your life. There is the mentor who comes into your life to teach you things. A mentor can be a mother, teacher or advisor. The mentors teach us the valuable lessons needed to get along in life.

The Shape-shifter – There are those people who seem one way and for whatever reason they change shape on you all of a sudden. She was so fine the night you met her, but a week later you cannot stand her. It is not a negative thing to say that someone is a shape-shifter. We all play that role from time to time. You might be one way in the workplace and show a totally different side when its playtime.

The Herald – The Herald is a giver of news. It can be gossip, talk about an event, or announcing your entrance when you arrive at your place of employment or a party. The herald keeps the score. A really good herald is a cheer-leader, an inspiration, a motivation. On the flip-side, there are heralds who like to be bearers of bad news.

The Gate-keeper – In life, there are gate-keepers. To pass, you need the key. To pass, you need to pass the test. To pass, you need to be with so-and-so. To pass, you need to know this or that fact. To pass, you had better have the right amount of cash. When we are clear on our direction in life, we often see the gates off in the distance (remember Dora the Explorer). We know the toll amount and we are ready to pay. When we are confused, we arrive only to find that proper credentials are required to enter the locked gates.

The Trickster – Tricksters offer-up another kind of test in the game of life. The trickster aims to determine whether you’re on your game. So, they “run game” on you. When you know that this is simply a character in life, you’re better prepared. Tricksters like to shape-shift into other roles, but you can know a trickster by his function. Shape-shifting is natural, but the trickster wants your candy. And, his strategies for taking it are anything but natural.

The Shadow – We all have shadows. They are the people who show us the dark part of ourselves. They are capable of getting under our skin, because they are close to us. The shadow is attached. We have an emotional investment in people who are shadows. Sometimes, you just want to strangle the kids. Or, that annoying friend calls and you don’t want to answer the phone. Still, these people are in your life for a reason. They are there to show you something about yourself, often something you’re not willing to look at otherwise. There is a saying – “They of a man’s own household will be his worst enemies.” This is because those who are close to us can bring out the worst in us if we’re not careful. When we learn the lessons of the shadow, we find beings of light entering our lives to assist us in the hero’s journey.

Copyright. By James Will M. Power. 2014 jameswillpower@gmail.com

Permission is always given to share and republish my articles and videos, so long as they are unedited and contain the authorship information at the close. NOTE: Those familiar with the chakras are encouraged to determine which character relates to each of the seven chakras. E-mail me your answers and I will share mine.