Do you want to experience what the Greeks call Zoe?
Dear lovers of life,
I often visit other blog sites for inspiration. I never know what gem I’m going to find. A few weeks ago, I stopped by the fabulous Expressive Hart blog. Ms. Hart’s teaching an e-course called Necessary Fire based on an idea she read in a book called Traveling with Pomegranates (by Sue Monk Kidd and Anne Kidd Taylor.) A mother and daughter travel to Greece and France together, where they discover new truths about themselves.
My husband’s Greek-American and way before I met him I had a wild and crazy time in Greece, so the Greek connection intrigued me enough to order the book. Honestly, I couldn’t put TWP down. Towards the end I stumbled on a paragraph I knew would make a great blog post. Letta, their travel guide says, “People do not come to Greece to rest. They come to gain their days.” Then a paragraph later, Anne, one of the authors, says, “I don’t want to miss out on what the Greeks call Zoe. Life. I want to live all of the whole glorious hazard.”
I fell in love with those lines. Yes, life has hazards. That’s what makes it an adventure to be cherished. I can only speak for myself here, but it’s the hazards I’ve encountered that gave my life texture and meaning. (Ironically, an unexpected hazard happened in Greece. The friend I went to visit had to leave the country the day after I got there when something unexpected came up. I faced three weeks wandering around Greece alone — it forced me to get outgoing pretty quick) Life hazard points gave me opportunities to be “all I could be and then some.” For the longest time, the blinders I’d been wearing made it impossible to see that hazards were opportunities to start living. Once I tore off the blinders and embraced the hazards, I came alive!
(They’ve got to stop handing out blinders in childhood. Deadly practice.)
Talk again soon …
Muse thx,
Giulietta
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But… but… without the blinders people will see and the whole fabric of society will unravel!
…actually, that sounds pretty good some days. 🙂
When I was 26 (so long ago) I had a pretty bad motorcycle accident. Could have been much worse, but it was touch and go for a few days. Coming out of that, re-habing, re-educating for a new line of work, was one of the most rewarding periods of my life. I learned two phrases that I’ve cherished ever since.
The first is that scars are tattoos you earn. 🙂
The second I likes so much I had it tattooed on my chest (in spite of it not being a scar per se, I still think I earned the right to put it there in some ways): No reserve, No retreat, No regret.
If we aren’t taking risks, as calculated and intelligent as they may be, what exactly are we doing? I’ll take a double helping of hazard, please.
Thanks, G. As always, bellissimo.
Michael,
What a great life story. Love the scars as tatoos / tatoos as scars. And a cool saying to immortalize on your chest.
I can’t help myself because I lead essay writing life shops but that story and life lesson or two would make one terrific essay.
Also, “double helping of hazard, please.” Brill sentence.
Enjoy the ride! G.
Oh, Guilietta, so delighted to hear your loved TWP. What an uplifting and inspiring post. Here’s to the Zoe life!
Warmly,
Silky
Hi Silky,
Of course I have you to thank for it! It pays to read other folks words of wisdom.
And a big YES to the Zoe life and your e-class!
Thx. G.
Giulietta –
Zoe – living life to the full. I love that idea. As the old saying goes, if you’re not failing 90% of the time, you’re not trying hard enough. That captures hazard for me. Finding the joy in the tough moments as well as the great ones is key. Then we’re free to express ourself in every situation without limit. Great post and sounds like an excellent book!
Phil
Hi Phil,
Like that old saying! Am a huge fan of failing. It’s the only way to get anywhere in life. I like how you tied that to hazard. A book worth reading!
Thx, G.
I am heading for Europe in a few days intending to live it fully – in other words, I have no expectations at all… who knows what will happen but I am sure it will be an experience.
Zoe sounds like quite the way to live…
In my house, there is no failure – just another way of learning… how was something be a failure when it offers lessons?
Hi TE,
Have a fantastic time filled with Zoe! I’m so with you on not having expectations. It makes for great times. Your house must be built of beautiful lessons. Always appreciate you stopping by. Enjoy! G.
Life is to be lived. You are right, not all hazards are traps, many hazards act as the catalyst for our growth.
Interesting to learn the meaning of Zoe. Will forward this blog to my friend Zoe.
Loved the part about taking off the blinders and coming alive especially when travelling. So often, preconceptions or misconceptions about a country can color our outlook and affect our enjoyment of a new experience. You know, those blinders that warn you to watch out about eating certain foods or going to certain places or all the hazards that you may encounter.
And that book sounds interesting and worth reading. Thanks for the reco.
Mark,
Yeah! Let’s live while we are alive. A concept that seems to get lost in the maze of following the generic life shuffle.
Penelope
I agree about the blinders when traveling. Why go if you’re going to recreate your life at home?
Thx for leaving your comments! G.
Your Greece story reminds me of arriving at Denver for a ski trip to Aspen and finding out my friend was not there to meet me and not coming on our planned trip. After a couple days in Denver trying to figure out what to do, I went to Aspen for a week by myself – skiing every day and never ate a meal alone, I was pushed to meet new people and trust them. It turned out to be a great vacation!
Hey Anne,
Brave skiing trip and good vacation save! I try to meet new folks on vacation. Otherwise, I haven’t really jumped out of my everyday rut. Thanks for commenting! G.
Hi Giulietta. Isn’t “safe” so overrated? As a mother, I can see the need to caution children when they’re very young. But when we’re adults, literate and able to problem solve, safe and comfort zone can rob our lives of feeling/being alive.
Three weeks in Greece without a friend? How lovely! Though I get the feeling you would’ve done just as well anywhere else.
I’m reading TWP now. I love Sue Monk Kidd, and the words written by her daughter, Ann, leave me breathless. I, too, believe the hazards I’ve encountered have given my life “texture and meaning.” I read blogs, like yours, for the same reason you read them. So thanks for the inspiration!
Hey Angie,
Breathless! Yes, that’s how the book left me too. Good way to describe it. Raw emotion in places, something we can all relate to but not feel comfortable expressing.
Same for your blog! Enjoy. G.
Hi Giulietta – I’ve always wanted to go to Greece. Smash plates and drink Ouzo. Dance like Anthony Quinn. Needless to say I love everything about this post. So full of Zoe!
Hi Patty,
Your description of Greece sounds right on! They definitely know how to have fun. Thx! G.