Why taking is more important that giving

Most people think of the end of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey as when the hero receives the boon.

But the reality is the hero isn’t given the boon he or she takes it.

Prometheus has to steal fire from the gods.

It’s the same in all the old stories.

You need to overcome your cultural conditioning to be a good servant, break away the crusting of enculturation that binds you.

Because you can only successfully help others if you help yourself first.

I remember Stephen Gilligan telling me many years ago that the wise woman who draws the water from the well takes a drink herself first before she gives to other.

If you can’t sustain yourself you end up hurting others more that if you do what is necessary to sustain yourself so you can be of benefit to them.

The thing about happiness

Is most people think they are going to get it by luck. If the god/s are smiling or if they are good then they will be blessed. But the reality is the god/s don’t care. Or if they did they’d turn away from those that whine to those that take action to make things happen.

Those that say that they just want to be happy really mean that they don’t want to have the anxiety that they have. The fear from not being in control of their lives.

And they should be afraid. Because they have given up control to other people. If you are not in control by definition you are out of control. No one can have power over you unless you give them that power.

So if you want to be happy you have to take that happiness for yourself. But never at the expense of other. You find happiness through giving to other.

That’s the thing about happiness you get what you want by giving other people what they want.