”You Are Not The Main Character”

There is something romantic in being the hero of a great story. Despite all reoccurring conflict, the strongest and most courageous figures always find a way to endure. We often call this heroic figure the protagonist, the main character of the story.

However, the protagonist is made for the STORY; not for reality itself. For whatever  reason we are particularly attracted to being the protagonist in real life, to our own story. Don’t lie, you’ve had that moment: when the “anthem” plays in the headphones, when the sun hits at the right angle, when looking in the mirror that heroic vision of yourself reflects back. You are a dreamer at the core.

More simply, you’ve been Tom in “500 Days of Summer” at least once.

While that’s sincerely harmless for a moment, there are many who are unwilling to discern this visual from reality. While “main character syndrome” is very much a real condition, most of us have the ability to escape our own protagonist idealization. We just need to lean into some perspective.

An amazing tale of Alexander the Great, as a young king sought wisdom to joint with his evergrowing authority. Thus, he attempted to persuade a wise philosopher to join alongside and teach him wisdom.  The philosopher, Diogenes, a stoic mannered man isolated himself from the social influences of the Greeks. Alexander, flexed his muscles of fortune and power to Diogenes and assured a wish of any kind would be granted to him.

Diogenes obliged, and wished for Alexander to move himself to the side, out of the sun; so that the light may not be blocked when he resumed his daily meditation.

Diogenes cut right through Alexander’s bullshit. Unconcerned by appeal, he brought the ego down to size. Even more fascinating, after this exchange Alexander famously remarked “But truly, if I were not Alexander, I wish I were Diogenes.”

So what does this tell us?

Even when we are inspired by things outside of us and are stricken with curiosity; it is easier to succumb to the comforts and luxuries before us. The pursuit for more. But we all have a choice.

Either we can exist as a story to be told, or a life to be lived.

Today, some people are in the midst of their dream life; and others are overcome with grief over the life they wish they had, or once had. Nonetheless, when we get outside and look at the world around us; we humbly realize that time does not stop for us nor our story. The world will continue to revolve no matter our accolade or agony.

We are all the same.

So commit to giving attention on being present, resist the pressure & glamour of the hero’s archetype, and certainly do not allow others to block out your light.