Shield, Then Helmet, Then Armor

Every Hero’s Journey—yours included—is beset with challenges, opposition, and sometimes, real peril. As Bilbo Baggins says to his young nephew, “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door.” When we accept the call to adventure and cross the threshold from the relative comfort of our ordinary world and step onto the path into the unknown, it helps to be prepared.

Before the invention of gunpowder and firearms, the go-to tools of ancient warfare (for the better part of 3,000 years) were shields, spears, and swords. Basic, yet effective. We can learn much from our forebears about how to protect ourselves and safeguard our dreams by following their methods.

When preparing to encounter the enemy—in this context, meaning anything literal or figurative that might hinder our progress or crush our spirits—it is wise to follow the order of defense. Shield first, helmet next, then armor.

Shield

The shield is your first line of defense. Basically, just putting a wall between you and your opponent. Simple, cheap, functional. Throughout early history, most foot soldiers were armed with nothing more than a wooden shield and a hand weapon.

How does this apply to you? What are the potential dangers or challenges that could derail your progress? Where can you “put a wall” between you and the things inhibiting your journey?

These things can take the form of cultural norms, prevailing ideologies, groups, events, circumstances, social distractions, or persons looking to knock you down.

Failing to set proper boundaries—with family, friends, employers, neighbors—is often the quickest route to ruin. The path to adventure is littered with the fallen corpses of would-be heroes who fell prey to the well-intentioned barbs of those closest to them.

Sometimes, the greatest act of self-love we can perform is to distance ourselves and our dreams from our detractors.

Helmet

Few things will take a soldier out of a fight faster than a head wound. The torso and limbs can survive massive injury, but a serious wound to the head or neck often leads to death. Ancient warriors knew this all too well. Which is why procuring a helmet was the next order of defense after having a shield.

Contrary to what we see in movies and Hollywood productions, men-at-arms wore helmets wherever possible. Game of Thrones hero, Jon Snow, with his flowing black locks waving in the breeze, wouldn’t have lasted ten minutes in a real pitched battle without a helmet. One errant blow from a foe, or friend, and the North would have fallen.

Much of the hero’s journey is a mental game. Doubt, despair, and negative self-talk are dream destroyers. “Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.” Paul Atreides, aka Muad’Dib, of Dune knew what he was talking about.

These mental nicks and cuts—if received and left untreated—can fester into crippling head wounds which can thwart your journey.

Armor

After you’ve secured a shield and helmet, the final order of defense is body armor. Torso first—protect the heart, lungs, and guts—then arms and legs. In general, the goal is to build up increasing layers of protection between you and the weapons of your enemies. Ancient warriors instinctively upgraded to the best gear available whenever possible. A real man-at-arms would never have settled for mail armor (chainmail) if better, stronger plate armor was accessible or within their financial means.

How does this apply to you? Always acquire and use the best “armor” you can get your hands on. What this armor is exactly, only you will know.

Ask yourself, what can I do or use to protect my heart (i.e. my dreams, goals, aspirations, longings) and safeguard my guts (i.e. my intuition, inner knowing, moral compass)?

In Conclusion

Answering the call to adventure and crossing the threshold into the unknown is both exhilarating and challenging. Please, do whatever is necessary to give yourself the best chance of completing your (current) hero’s journey and returning home with your heart, head and body in one piece. Defend your dreams and life pursuits by following the ancient order of defense: shield, then helmet, then armor.

See you on the battlefield!

If you could use some help gearing up for your next hero’s journey, visit my About page to learn how to work with me 1:1 as your guide and life coach.