An Unexpected Introduction
The job of a Ringbearer in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is no easy task, especially when considering that destroying the One Ring will ultimately save the world from the evil domination of its creator, Sauron. Frodo Baggins, a hobbit from the Shire, volunteers to take the Ring and, accompanied by a Fellowship of Hobbits and Wizards, Men, Dwarves, and Elves, to destroy it within Mount Doom.
While the career journeys we experience don’t typically involve life-or-death circumstances that will impact the entire world, we still encounter situations that feel too hard to climb. These situations could be that first career fair or interview, uncertainty about a major or career path, feelings of being behind, or just the navigation of college. In these experiences, we may have to adapt to recover from and overcome these challenges, which is what we call resilience.
In the following quotes, we see how, despite the challenges that they face, the characters in The Lord of the Rings do not let their circumstances keep them from moving forward or holding onto hope. They remained focused on their quest, and just like Frodo, Sam, and our other friends from Middle-earth, we can also set our minds to reaching a goal by building our resilience.
Delay Despair by Deliberation and Doubt
“Despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt. We do not. It is wisdom to recognize necessity, when all other courses have been weighed, though as folly it may appear to those who cling to false hope.” FotR, Book 2, The Council of Elrond
Gandalf, the wizard that serves as the primary guiding figure for Frodo, characterizes despair in this manner during the Council of Elrond when one of the Council participants names the destruction of the Ring as “the path of despair” because of the incredibly difficult circumstances of finding a way to “the Fire in which it was made.” Gandalf labels all other options that deal with the problem of the Ring by temporary solutions as clinging to false hope. It is appropriate to consider your choices carefully, but even the acknowledgment of not knowing what comes next can build resilience against despair.
Both college and career will send you setbacks, from not getting into your major to losing out on a promotion. You may end up in a place where you can no longer see a future for yourself or feel trapped with no options. You might find a need to start over, change your mind, or discover a new path forward. Give yourself permission to be open to all those circumstances while validating your feelings of disappointment. It is never too late to improve your situation by trying something new. Very few choices are permanent, and you can seldom be 100% certain what will happen as you look for redirection opportunities. Normalize the concept of a period of growth and exploration. Every path to success requires putting in the work, and a setback does not define the rest of your life. Your current pursuit of bettering yourself and the path you took to get here is already a great accomplishment.
Use Grounding Techniques During High-Stress Moments
“Far above ... in the West the night-sky was still dim and pale. There ... Sam saw a white star twinkle for awhile. The beauty of it smote his heart ... [and] the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.” RotK, Book 6, The Land of Shadow
Having just escaped orcs in the Tower of Cirith Ungol, Frodo and his gardener and steadfast friend, Samwise Gamgee, continue their journey into Mordor, the desolate and fiery home of Mount Doom. While Frodo rests, Sam sees this star high above them in the clouds, and this simple reminder grounds him; he recognizes that, while he and Frodo are in a truly awful place, there is a greater and more beautiful world surrounding them.
In a less fantastical setting, the modern world will present us with challenges, and the more exposure we have to these challenges, the more we grow to adapt and stay resilient. It is okay to feel uncomfortable, and at times, we should feel discomfort as part of the human experience. It is also critical to remember that, like when Sam sees in the star, the moment(s) we’re living in may seem unbearable, and we can search for reminders of something bigger than this time of stress or unhappiness.
While it may be difficult for us to remember the good in bad times, grounding techniques, or using the physical space around us to calm down, can serve the same function as Sam’s star. These grounding techniques – such as counting our toes, taking a few deep breaths, or (my, Kristina’s, personal favorite) rubbing the fingertips together and hyper-focusing on the ridges – can be used to interrupt fear and dread during a stressful situation, like a test, career fair, or job interview.
Here at the End of All Things
No one is so great that they may simply stretch out their hand and seize victory. Frodo needed help and guidance all through his journey, even in the final moments of his quest when standing within Mount Doom. However, two other guiding figures, Elrond and Galadriel, also acknowledge Frodo’s place as the right person to take on his quest.
“I think that this task is appointed for you, Frodo; and that if you do not find a way, no one will.” FotR, Book 2, The Council of Elrond
“Yet I think, Frodo, that you have courage and wisdom enough for the venture, or I would not have brought you here.” FotR, Book 2, The Mirror of Galadriel
When faced with a challenge, you can seek help from the Career Center or another campus resource instead of taking on everything alone. The Career Center serves students and alumni from their very first major choice and job search to their long and winding career path full of advancement and transitions. Hopefully by seeking advice and through our mutual appreciation of The Lord of the Rings, you may find it easier to recognize that not everything is certain to go wrong when the path forward is difficult, that the world is full of high beauty, and that you are the best person to take charge of your life with skills and resilience enough to see it through.