Standing Strong in Stormy Times

How Ordinary Heroes Face Down the Trickster Forces of Chaos

In stormy times—when uncertainty, disruption, and division seem to dominate—it’s easy to feel powerless. Yet moments in nature and history remind us that resilience is possible when we connect to something greater than ourselves.

I was hiking in upstate New York one day when a thunderstorm erupted. Just as the lightning and downpour began, my friend and I came upon the cement remains of an abandoned building. We stood beneath a doorway just wide enough to shield us.

Then, as the storm ended, we walked on and encountered a large, big-eyed deer about six feet away. We looked at each other for a long moment—the deer and me. We were both still, calm, and seemingly unafraid. Then the deer slowly walked away, and I was left with a sense of awe.

There can seem to be a kind of magic to moments like these. They remind us that we’re part of life forces greater than ourselves.

That experience came back to me last week as I grappled with some of the same questions many people are asking now:

• How have we arrived at such stormy skies ahead?

• How can we best seek shelter for ourselves and others?

• And how can we not miss the all-important moments of peace and joy life still offers?

One lens that has helped me make sense of it all is the power of archetypes—those universal patterns within our collective human psyche.

The Power of Archetypes

Carl Jung, the Swiss psychologist and psychiatrist, described archetypes as “the great decisive forces” in life. He believed that when archetypes are activated, they bring about significant events—not through sheer effort, but through deeper psychological energies.

If that sounds abstract, consider this: a woman becomes a mother and, in an instant, feels a surge of protectiveness central to motherhood—even if moments earlier, she doubted she could care for a child.

That is the power of the Mother archetype. It connects us to something larger than our individual experience.

But today, a different archetype has taken center stage—one we would do well to understand.

The Trickster Archetype: Chaos, Disruption, and Revelation

The Trickster archetype embodies chaos, mischief, and the breaking of social norms. It thrives on disruption and destabilization, creating confusion and uncertainty.

Yet the Trickster also plays an essential role: exposing hypocrisy and revealing what’s not working. Tricksters throughout history—from Loki to Coyote to modern political and cultural figures—provoke transformation by forcing hidden truths to the surface.

Still, chaos is not easy to live through. So the question becomes:

When we face the disruptive power of the Trickster, what archetype can help us meet the moment with courage and integrity?

Calling on the Hero Archetype

After a lifetime of studying patterns of resilience and transformation, this answer seems clear: we must cultivate the Hero archetype.

The Hero represents our innate capacity to face challenges, overcome adversity, and strive for wholeness. Jung saw it as a symbol of the individual’s journey toward self-realization and growth.

Put another way:

The Hero archetype is our capacity to stand upright in the storm—especially when chaos threatens to pull us apart.

When we activate the Hero within, we draw on qualities greater than fear: courage, altruism, integrity, and purpose—all essential for navigating uncertain times.

Finding Your Ordinary Act of Heroism

Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology shows that seeing your life as a hero’s journey—complete with challenges, setbacks, and growth—leads to greater well-being, satisfaction, and meaning.

This perspective reminds us that heroism isn’t reserved for extraordinary people; it’s available to all of us in ordinary acts of courage and care.

Here’s a thought experiment to try:

Name one heroic action you want to take in the first quarter of 2025.
Don’t judge it or weigh the odds of success. Just ask: What would someone with courage, altruism, and integrity do? Then take the first small step in that direction.

Heroism begins in a single choice—a decision to stand strong in stormy times.

A Force Greater Than Chaos

When facing destructive forces that are bigger than us, consider turning toward forces that are also bigger than us—but braver, clearer, and better.

It’s like drawing clean, nourishing water from a deep well. That deeper strength—our shared humanity, courage, and compassion—can sustain us and help us do some good.

This essay first appeared in my Substack newsletter, Savor the World: Reigniting Our Capacity to Save It. Subscribe here to receive new essays on clarity, courage, and connection in uncertain times.