Mentors and allies are critical to a successful Hero’s Journey.  However, being an ally can sometimes be tough when you’re helping a friend on her Hero’s Journey.

Sometimes your part is easy–you just have to say, “Good job!” or “Hey! That’s great.”

Sometimes you have to be encouraging or listen while your Hero rants about a demon. Sometimes you need only show up and stand by her side.

Other times you have to tell her she might be wrong.  Other times you may have to point out flaws in her logic.  Other times you will need to point her in a different direction. Other times you may have to stop her from spinning off a cliff. These can be difficult conversations, but when said with love, they’re a necessary part of being an ally.  If you’ve been supportive so far, it’s more likely she’ll listen when you tell her you think she’s making a mistake.  A real ally doesn’t let these things go unsaid.

That’s you’d want an ally to do for you, right?

Where are you not doing as much as you could to be an ally for your friends’ Journeys?

Start by showing up a bit more or making sure you’re really listening when she talks.

That’s you’d want an ally to do for you.

Photo: New York Public Library Digital Photographs Collection.