Steve Jobs Monomyth

Ironic skeptical fast times create desires for powerful archetypes even as they destroy them. And yes this exhausting tail chasing is ironic. We search for heroes even while disdaining belief in their powers. We trick ourselves. Our skepticism of “them” is seemingly focused outward toward conveniently trapped fish in small barrels. We fire rapidly, violently sure to kill the enemy.

Then a hero emerges from a forest. We too quickly suspend disbelief accepting our hero’s hard won self-knowledge, her gift. We live vicariously and richly along a road of trials. Our hero faces challenges with uncertain outcomes. We bite nails, shed tears and offer the assistance humanity affords. Along for the ride we open a window and fly our hand in the breeze.

At the very moment decisive victory seems impossible and far away a wizard’s magic redirects attention. A cape twirls, a girl points, a sudden puff of smoke and a loud bang makes things mysterious and strange again. We grope for balance. We try to understand.

We sense something small, round and unknown. For a moment we steal fire like Prometheus, know ourselves like Buddha, part water like Moses and give as good as Christ. In this dream we fly above the forest watching our hero’s journey along the road of trials. We help the hero survive willing it to be so. For a time life is restored. We sigh recognizing life’s principle mirage – that green trees and birds mean water in the desert, an oasis of hope.

Then finally and irrevocably hope is dashed. Our oasis floats away on shimmering waves of heat. Flying close to the sun melts false wings. Falling faster and faster we are enlightened. We know all of life is in every moment. Giving ourselves over fully and completely we accept the hero within. Suddenly we know the true enemy and she is us and that is right, as it is and has always been.

Thank you Steve Jobs.