I spent some time this early new year thinking (often a dangerous thing), and the way I figure it, there are two undeniable constants in the world: time and change. Albeit, there are observable constants of mathematics, physics, and science. These unambiguous definitions help us understand and define the workings of the universe. While, on the other hand, time and change relate to the minute-to-minute machinations of human existence. As much as we may want to alter the realities of time and change – we cannot. We may wax poetic in our Hero stories that time is alterable via sci-fi wanderings in the time-space continuum, but change is so constant in our lives that every Hero story ever told has at least one kind of change (most likely more) at its core. The understanding that change is a necessity in our lives brings transformation to the forefront in everything we do and every story we tell.

Change in every Hero’s life appears in two broad forms: from without and within. At the beginning of every story, we find the Hero living their life in whatever shape or form it may take. It is called their beginning stasis, their status quo. And then something happens that forces change on the Hero. This “change from without” is thrust upon them by someone or something that disrupts their lives. Their ultimate response to this change from without must come “from within” themself and alter the human being they are and will be from that moment forward.

In my book, The 40 Day Hero’s Journey, I help the reader explore how change is at the core of everything we, as humans, must accomplish. Through the format of the Hollywood movie, they will hopefully understand that change, albeit inevitable, is the beginning and not necessarily the end.

Janus was the Roman god of change. I will not go into great detail on what they believed concerning him. The main point I want to relate to is that he oversaw transitions. For instance, a birth or that same person later transitioning into adulthood. He officiated over the beginning and end of all conflicts, so he was crucial in war and peace. He has two faces, one that looks upon the past and the other seeing the future. The month of January is named after him, signifying the importance of the new year.

The point of Janus in the beliefs of the Romans was that humans transition many times during their lives. That is simply part of what it is to be human. So why can change be so tricky when it comes? In truth, some transitions are easier to swallow in that we expect them to happen and/or welcome them. In contrast, others signify the loss of something or someone important to us. For example, getting old does suck even though we all know we can’t avoid it.

The ultimate truth is that we must deal with change when it occurs, find ways to implement change when needed, and accept change when there is nothing to be done to avoid it. That sounds a bit like the Serenity Prayer.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

courage to change the things I can,

and wisdom to know the difference

So, that all said, what will the New Year bring for us? What will be the next big challenge? Unfortunately, I do not have the power of future sight like Janus, so I can only promise that personal or global events will shake us to the core. However, I can offer an easily approachable system that provides everyone the tools to deal with change. This system is The 40 Day Hero’s Journey, and it is available in the United States and Canada on Amazon.com and in the United Kingdom on Amazon.co.uk.