
In “In the Flow of Life”, Eric Butterworth drops a truth bomb: “The secret of the ages is not about seeking power, but about letting go of the illusion of power.” This is a wake-up call to stop fighting against the current of life, step away from the chaos, and become the observer of our own experience. It’s time to ditch the constant internal struggle and simply be—to embrace the present moment rather than fight against life’s unpredictable flow. After all, the real hero’s journey is not about defeating every dragon, but about surrendering to the ride and allowing life to transform us in ways we never imagined.
Many of us identify deeply with the role of the hero—the person who is always fighting, overcoming challenges, and striving for success. This mindset places us at the center of a battle, where life is something to be conquered rather than experienced. But the true breakthrough in life comes not from continuing this relentless battle, but by letting go of our attachment to the struggle and simply observing our experiences in life as they unfold.
The Hero’s Journey is often seen as defeating dragons and achieving goals, but true transformation can actually come when we allow the dragon to defeat us! In moments of failure, when things fall apart and answers seem elusive, we are often called to spiritually surrender. In this acceptance of what is, true growth happens. Instead of resisting disappointments or frustrations, we are invited to let go of our old self, relinquish control, and embrace life’s natural flow. When we no longer seek external validation or control, we realize life isn’t a battle to win but a process of becoming and unfolding. Each setback invites us to release the need to prove ourselves, opening us to deeper peace and fulfillment.
The addiction to striving stems from a belief that we are not good enough as we are, often fueled by a culture that ties worth to material success, and to personal achievement and recognition. Striving then becomes an automatic response to fear—a fear of failure, of being overlooked. This drives us to seek external validation, blinding us to the beauty of the present moment. Simply being means experiencing the moment without wishing for more, judging our experiences, or needing to control outcomes—just allowing life to unfold naturally. Lao Tzu said, “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” True fulfillment comes not from adding more, but from releasing the need for more and embracing a life fully lived in the moment.
The addiction to striving is also closely tied to the old idea of control—the belief that we must always be in charge, always push forward, and always shape the outcome. The traditional Hero’s Journey often portrays the hero as someone who conquers challenges, fights battles, and emerges victorious. This narrative promotes the idea that the hero is in control, steering their destiny with relentless determination. But the deeper wisdom of the Hero’s Journey teaches us that transformation doesn’t come from forcing outcomes. Instead, true growth occurs when we let go of the need to control and begin to flow with life, like a river moving effortlessly toward the ocean.
In Cloud Atlas, the quote “Sometimes you slay the dragon, and sometimes it slays you,” perfectly captures the essence of the real Hero’s Journey. True growth comes not from conquering every challenge but from accepting those that transform us. Life isn’t always about winning or achieving; sometimes, it’s about accepting our limitations, learning through setbacks, and being reshaped through failure. Parenting embodies this truth: It’s not about controlling every moment or outcome but about embracing the unpredictable journey of raising children, and learning from the challenges they bring. The real transformation comes when we stop trying to control our children’s lives, and instead surrender to the experience, letting them teach us as much as we teach them.
This deeper view of the Hero’s Journey redefines success. It’s not about conquering the world or achieving every goal; it’s about embracing life’s unpredictability, surrendering to the unknown, and being present for the ride. By letting go of the need to always be the one who wins or controls, we shift from being a doer to becoming an observer—watching life’s ebbs and flows without attachment to specific outcomes.
True freedom comes when we stop striving and start accepting life as it is. We are part of a much larger story, one that doesn’t require our constant intervention. When we let go of the need for control, we free ourselves from the exhausting cycle of pushing, striving, and forcing.
Life, in all its vastness, will embrace us—not as warriors in a battle, but as witnesses to the unfolding of something far greater than ourselves.
Letting go is not a defeat; it is the beginning of a new journey—one where we are no longer fighting life, but experiencing it fully. The true hero is not the one who slays the dragon, but the one who surrenders to the process of becoming, letting go of old narratives, and simply being present in the flow of life.
Living the Story, Sharing the Journey