I feel like I'm still on my journey, even though I'm almost 60! I started in a new industry this year and I'm constantly learning and I love it! I feel like I'm focusing more on relationships and on caring for myself than I ever have before. The road has obstacles sometimes but I keep moving forward.
A house is not a home, just as a destination is not a destiny. In the first half of life, we pursue the material, the physical, and the visible. Eventually, we are pursued by an awakening when we sense a tinge of homesickness, an implanted desire for homecoming, and a longing for our personal Ithaka. The journey is less about finding our place in the world and more about pining for an intimate belonging at home's table.
The inner voyage begins. We notice the slow work of being shaped by life into who we truly are and who we are meant to be. Each circular path we take serves as a stepping stone, progressing in nonlinear ways, toward the psychological, spiritual, and invisible reality that defines our destiny. The soul yearns for depth and love. Over time, life's small odysseys yield the fruit of authenticity as we embrace the wholeness of our being - the shadow and light, as well as fragility and resilience. The soul is now in the home stretch.
I have no idea 🤷♀️ how I did this but I left my comment on substack and not the Quiet Life comments. Does anyone know how to forward and then erase it on the substack?I didn’t mean to do this.
I am so happy I recently joined The Quiet Life...if only for the poems you share and post. How wonderful! I am posting my favorite poem of all time. "The World As Meditation" by Wallace Stevens....another take on the Odyssey.
J’ai passé trop de temps à travailler mon violon, à voyager. Mais l’exercice essentiel du compositeur — la médiatation — rien ne l’a jamais suspendu en moi … Je vis un rêve permanent, qui ne s’arrête ni nuit ni jour.
— Georges Enesco
Is it Ulysses that approaches from the east,
The interminable adventurer? The trees are mended.
That winter is washed away. Someone is moving
On the horizon and lifting himself up above it.
A form of fire approaches the cretonnes of Penelope,
Whose mere savage presence awakens the world in which she dwells.
She has composed, so long, a self with which to welcome him,
Companion to his self for her, which she imagined,
Two in a deep-founded sheltering, friend and dear friend.
The trees had been mended, as an essential exercise
In an inhuman meditation, larger than her own.
No winds like dogs watched over her at night.
She wanted nothing he could not bring her by coming alone.
She wanted no fetchings. His arms would be her necklace
And her belt, the final fortune of their desire.
But was it Ulysses? Or was it only the warmth of the sun
On her pillow? The thought kept beating in her like her heart.
The two kept beating together. It was only day.
It was Ulysses and it was not. Yet they had met,
Friend and dear friend and a planet’s encouragement.
The barbarous strength within her would never fail.
She would talk a little to herself as she combed her hair,
Repeating his name with its patient syllables,
Never forgetting him that kept coming constantly so near.
I perceive the difference between the journey and the destination as being the difference between doing and being. The journey is motion, full of challenge and growth. The destination is static, hopefully enjoying the fruits... but not growing. When satisfaction becomes tedium, we start a new journey.
This is a beautiful poem by C. P. Cavafy. I see my road to Ithaka as my life journey — one on which I encounter many beautiful days and moments, as well as some difficult and frightening ones. All of them become part of my life and shape who I am. The further I go, and the more I experience life in all its colours, the more I am drawn to peace, gentleness, understanding, and caring for myself and the people I love. I no longer feel the need to prove anything. I know that even short moments can bring joy to the journey. I know my place — and I’m still curious about the world.
I especially love these lines: “May there be many summer mornings when, with what pleasure, what joy, you enter harbours you’re seeing for the first time.”
Yes but before answering? Yesterday we said sadly goodbye to the World Cup after the final match hold on a NewYourk stadium between Spain and Argentina which ended by wining Spain who we say congratulations to them and good luck to Argentina and WE LOVE YOU MESSI thanks for happiness and joy you cultivated in us along 20 years, you are a miracle really Miracle.
So we said Byee yesterday on the hope to enjoy next time after 4 years in 2030.
Regarding your questions, for me My journey in life is about historical places and traditional shops particularly those crowded by people and Themes where are the green zones and trees
I'm struggling as of late with many things as I continue my path of aging.... It seems that the road leads to the acknowledgement of mortality and our final destination... And the realization that it was the journey all along, not the destination, to appreciate and attend to. I looked for answers, for purpose, for meaning.... Looking to the final destination to find them... when they have been part of the journey all along. I looked for love when it has been inside me. I looked for joy, which cleverly disguised itself as hope for the future. I looked for answers rather than marveling at the questions. I looked for contentment rather than appreciating the passion of the struggle. I looked for completion from others when the missing link was within me. I fear aging and death and focus on those and lose precious moments of life passing me by. I'm still struggling to put this all into words and my story.... Thank you for the questions, Susan, and everyone, for the ideas, the community, and tribe.
I love Cafavy's poetry, and I'm definitely inclined to read more. As for where I am on my life's journey... this year has been a complicated one, and I'm trying to redefine what that very concept actually is for me in a way that works for me. I don't know what my Ithaka is; I never really had the time or space to really think about it due to a complicated family situation from my childhood. I'm currently in a state of reflection, reconsideration, and reclamation while trying to stay curious as to where my path might lead.
I feel like I'm still on my journey, even though I'm almost 60! I started in a new industry this year and I'm constantly learning and I love it! I feel like I'm focusing more on relationships and on caring for myself than I ever have before. The road has obstacles sometimes but I keep moving forward.
A house is not a home, just as a destination is not a destiny. In the first half of life, we pursue the material, the physical, and the visible. Eventually, we are pursued by an awakening when we sense a tinge of homesickness, an implanted desire for homecoming, and a longing for our personal Ithaka. The journey is less about finding our place in the world and more about pining for an intimate belonging at home's table.
The inner voyage begins. We notice the slow work of being shaped by life into who we truly are and who we are meant to be. Each circular path we take serves as a stepping stone, progressing in nonlinear ways, toward the psychological, spiritual, and invisible reality that defines our destiny. The soul yearns for depth and love. Over time, life's small odysseys yield the fruit of authenticity as we embrace the wholeness of our being - the shadow and light, as well as fragility and resilience. The soul is now in the home stretch.
If I had known … keeping my spirit and body front and center!
Whatever befalls me, my soul gives me permission to release it! Never to carry with me through my Life’s Journey .
The Wisdom and Direction Journey
Brought me allows Freedom, and the ability to see the Beauty that surrounds me!
It fills who I am …
Allowing miracles to walk with me!
https://youtu.be/rI15W-BBhrw?is=UblZ2LZuOs3RU4Nz
Here is the full video
Love this post, and this poet. Want More Cavafy? Watch this amazing reading of two poems with orchestra and chorus. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/NQssUltKLl4
Will check out Cavafy, I’m very intrigued!
I have no idea 🤷♀️ how I did this but I left my comment on substack and not the Quiet Life comments. Does anyone know how to forward and then erase it on the substack?I didn’t mean to do this.
I am so happy I recently joined The Quiet Life...if only for the poems you share and post. How wonderful! I am posting my favorite poem of all time. "The World As Meditation" by Wallace Stevens....another take on the Odyssey.
THE WORLD AS MEDITATION by Wallace Stevens
J’ai passé trop de temps à travailler mon violon, à voyager. Mais l’exercice essentiel du compositeur — la médiatation — rien ne l’a jamais suspendu en moi … Je vis un rêve permanent, qui ne s’arrête ni nuit ni jour.
— Georges Enesco
Is it Ulysses that approaches from the east,
The interminable adventurer? The trees are mended.
That winter is washed away. Someone is moving
On the horizon and lifting himself up above it.
A form of fire approaches the cretonnes of Penelope,
Whose mere savage presence awakens the world in which she dwells.
She has composed, so long, a self with which to welcome him,
Companion to his self for her, which she imagined,
Two in a deep-founded sheltering, friend and dear friend.
The trees had been mended, as an essential exercise
In an inhuman meditation, larger than her own.
No winds like dogs watched over her at night.
She wanted nothing he could not bring her by coming alone.
She wanted no fetchings. His arms would be her necklace
And her belt, the final fortune of their desire.
But was it Ulysses? Or was it only the warmth of the sun
On her pillow? The thought kept beating in her like her heart.
The two kept beating together. It was only day.
It was Ulysses and it was not. Yet they had met,
Friend and dear friend and a planet’s encouragement.
The barbarous strength within her would never fail.
She would talk a little to herself as she combed her hair,
Repeating his name with its patient syllables,
Never forgetting him that kept coming constantly so near.
Thanks for the beautiful porm!
I perceive the difference between the journey and the destination as being the difference between doing and being. The journey is motion, full of challenge and growth. The destination is static, hopefully enjoying the fruits... but not growing. When satisfaction becomes tedium, we start a new journey.
This is a beautiful poem by C. P. Cavafy. I see my road to Ithaka as my life journey — one on which I encounter many beautiful days and moments, as well as some difficult and frightening ones. All of them become part of my life and shape who I am. The further I go, and the more I experience life in all its colours, the more I am drawn to peace, gentleness, understanding, and caring for myself and the people I love. I no longer feel the need to prove anything. I know that even short moments can bring joy to the journey. I know my place — and I’m still curious about the world.
I especially love these lines: “May there be many summer mornings when, with what pleasure, what joy, you enter harbours you’re seeing for the first time.”
Yes but before answering? Yesterday we said sadly goodbye to the World Cup after the final match hold on a NewYourk stadium between Spain and Argentina which ended by wining Spain who we say congratulations to them and good luck to Argentina and WE LOVE YOU MESSI thanks for happiness and joy you cultivated in us along 20 years, you are a miracle really Miracle.
So we said Byee yesterday on the hope to enjoy next time after 4 years in 2030.
Regarding your questions, for me My journey in life is about historical places and traditional shops particularly those crowded by people and Themes where are the green zones and trees
I'm struggling as of late with many things as I continue my path of aging.... It seems that the road leads to the acknowledgement of mortality and our final destination... And the realization that it was the journey all along, not the destination, to appreciate and attend to. I looked for answers, for purpose, for meaning.... Looking to the final destination to find them... when they have been part of the journey all along. I looked for love when it has been inside me. I looked for joy, which cleverly disguised itself as hope for the future. I looked for answers rather than marveling at the questions. I looked for contentment rather than appreciating the passion of the struggle. I looked for completion from others when the missing link was within me. I fear aging and death and focus on those and lose precious moments of life passing me by. I'm still struggling to put this all into words and my story.... Thank you for the questions, Susan, and everyone, for the ideas, the community, and tribe.
Beautifully expressed, jo, thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Gwendolyn!
Love your post…. Inspiring, Inspired to reflect and post later.
Thank you 🙏
This piece touched my soul, Susan. This is the beauty of you, Susan Cain.
I love Cafavy's poetry, and I'm definitely inclined to read more. As for where I am on my life's journey... this year has been a complicated one, and I'm trying to redefine what that very concept actually is for me in a way that works for me. I don't know what my Ithaka is; I never really had the time or space to really think about it due to a complicated family situation from my childhood. I'm currently in a state of reflection, reconsideration, and reclamation while trying to stay curious as to where my path might lead.