What does “Follow Your Bliss” Mean to You?
The phrase “follow your bliss” has become so well-known in America that you may think it comes from some ancient source of world wisdom, handed down from time immemorial. You would be only half wrong. The catchphrase was actually introduced to Americans a little over 25 years ago by the great mythologist, Joseph Campbell, who used it in an interview with Bill Moyers in 1987 in the now-famous PBS series The Power of Myth.
Campbell was both an author and a college professor who taught hundreds of students at Sarah Lawrence College in upstate New York during his long and productive life. As he explained to Moyers, “My general formula for my students is ‘Follow your bliss.’ Find where it is, and don't be afraid to follow it.”
When the phrase caught on in the 1980s with an American public eager for reasons to pursue their individuality and personal passions, critics began to find fault with what appeared to be an excessively selfish pursuit of hedonistic pleasure. “Bliss, indeed! Keep your nose to the grindstone, work hard and you may achieve something someday, young man!” But this “If-it-feels-good-do-it” interpretation of the Campbell quote misses the mark. In fact, it is almost diametrically opposed to what Joseph Campbell really meant.
In his later years, Campbell was often heard to mutter under his breath, “I should have said ‘follow your blisters’.”
Over the last several decades the quote has found its way into nearly nook and cranny of American life. I have heard it used in sermons, in titles of college courses, it is found in numerous blog posts, it is included in book titles having to do with careers, human resource management, retirement, travel, entrepreneurship (lots of it there!), spiritual practice, relationships, even the news media bandy it about now as if everyone understands what it means.
But what do Americans understand by that phrase? Do we all mean more or less the same thing when we exhort someone to "follow your bliss"?
I want to find out more about this phenomenon that Campbell inadvertently set in motion, and have prepared a short - and hopefully interesting - survey to get the ball rolling.
If you have ever pondered what it means to "Follow Your Bliss" please take my survey (below) and take just a couple of minutes (there are only seven questions!) to respond. I'll do a follow up blog post once I have some results to share.
Thank you! ~ Rebecca
