“A bit of advice given to a young Native American at the time of his initiation: As you go the way of life, you will see a great chasm Jump It is not as wide as you think”
— Joseph Campbell
Simplified Meaning:
When people are starting their journey in life, they might face challenges that seem intimidating or scary. This quote is telling them that these obstacles might look much bigger and more difficult than they actually are. Imagine you're trying to cross a small stream. From far away, it might look like a huge river that's impossible to cross. But when you get closer, you realize it’s just a narrow bit of water that you can easily jump over. The advice here is to be brave and take the leap, because what looks daunting might not be so hard after all. For instance, think about starting a new job. On your first day, everything can seem overwhelming: new people, new tasks, and new routines. But once you start, you learn the ropes, and it becomes manageable. The key idea is to not let fear stop you. By facing your fears and taking that big jump, you will often find that the challenge is much easier than you initially thought. Acting with courage and taking the first step can reveal opportunities and strengths you didn’t realize you had.