He was known for coining the phrase “Follow Your Bliss” which means to follow your dreams, heart and desires.

Writer and thought leader Joseph Campbell believed that the life we are living now is the one we were meant to live. It’s not that we have a bad life which needs to change. It’s more that we need to accept the life we have and turn it into an adventure.

Through these 6 quotes from Campbell, we learn how to make life the adventure it’s supposed to be.

1. Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it.

So many of us agonize over the meaning of life. Here, Campbell is reminding us that we have the power to give our lives meaning. We start off as a blank slate. Helping your friends, doing your best at work, letting others know that you love them and contributing to your community – all are ways to give life meaning.

Seek not to find meaning, but rather to create it.

2. I think the person who takes a job in order to live – that is to say, for the money – has turned himself into a slave.

Millions work hard for a paycheck, hating their job, their boss and their plight. The key is to find work that makes us feel good, giving us something more than money. Contributing to a cause we believe in, working with people we like and finding ways to serve others – are priorities that can remove the imprisonment of employment. Act as though you are a highly paid consultant. Offer ideas, assist others and show what you’re made of. More than likely, it won’t be long before you’re in a much better place.

Work in a job in order to grow and serve others, not just to make money.

3. Find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.

Joy really can wipe out pain. Find the joy in learning new things and whatever pain is lurking will weaken.

Look for the positive to push out the negative.

4. When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.

Service to others has multiple benefits. It can give us purpose, allow us to feel better about ourselves and boost our careers. Replacing “I want” with “How can I help?” has the power to change your life, and the lives of others.

Think not about what you want and cannot get, but rather, what you can do for others. Then witness change for the better.

5. Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.

You cannot go wrong if you pursue what your heart tells you. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, for that does not exist. Just start and have faith that you will figure things out.

As you move forward, many things will happen that you did not plan. But Campbell said that’s okay. Let go of the life you planned. Accept the one that is happening now, the one which is being formed through your efforts to pursue your dreams. Look upon life more as an adventure and enjoy the ride.

Start living the life you want.

6. Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging.

As we pursue our dream job and life, many obstacles will appear. Expect them. Invite them. “Bring it on” is your new motto. Each challenge will make you stronger. If the road is easy, you won’t be growing. This week, finally make that decision to do what you really want to do.

Write down “Bring on the challenges!” and create a mindset that welcomes growth and learning through failures and missteps.

Joseph Campbell’s writing provided the inspiration for best-selling novels and Hollywood movies (Batman, Star Wars and Indiana Jones). Characters in these movies lead their lives as an adventure. Never knowing where they might end up, but following their bliss and becoming transformed as a result.

Let the adventure begin!