Mark Ristau's Blog - Posts Tagged "suffering"

Human beings have been grappling with the problem of violence ever since the rise of the world's first civilizations some 5500 years ago. My novel, A Hero Dreams, explores this seemingly intransigent problem through the eyes of a child—a ten-year-old boy named Ricky. Early in the story, Ricky suffers multiple childhood traumas: a near-drowning at the age of four; the loss of his father when he's only eight. Later, he falls victim to a brutal assault at the hands of an older boy named Spencer Black.

The path that leads to the end of our suffering—and ultimately to inner peace—requires courage. This is not a time for squeamishness. We must embrace that which is most abhorrent to us and walk through the dark of night in order to witness the glorious dawn of a new day. This is why our journey is called the "Hero's Journey." It is a journey that lies well outside our comfort zone. It is a journey that will test our resolve. Along the way, we will be forced to face the very ugliest, the most vile aspects of human nature. This is unavoidable. We must face the dark if we wish to one day see the light...

We've learned that avoiding pain by burying unpleasant memories doesn't work. Our demons are clever. They have a way of resurfacing when we least expect it, often at the most inopportune moments.

Now here's the good news: Within each of us lies a hero—a hero of virtually unlimited resources. We have the tools and the power to choose to live our lives as men and women of courage. We are not defined by the past, nor do our fears have control over us.

In A Hero Dreams, Ricky's journey leads him through a metaphorical and literal "Tunnel of Doom," where all his demons are lying in wait. With each step, he must relive the terrors of his past—a necessary rite of exorcism. His only defense is to speak directly to the demons: "You're not real...None of this is real!" He's right. As we shall learn, the demons live—have always lived—inside his head and not in the material world.

As Ricky approaches the tunnel's end, he spies a speck of light that fills him with hope. When finally he emerges, his heart overflows with gratitude, and he lets loose with an exuberant yawp. But his journey is not yet over. There's a voice. A mysterious voice is enticing him to take one more step—a step that will transport him across a threshold and into another world...a world of infinite possibility...

A Hero Dreams
Mark Ristau
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