A few years ago, a good friend introduced me to the poetry of Constantine P. Cavafy (Konstantinos Petrou Kavafis), a Greek poet, journalist and civil servant from Alexandria, Egypt (1863 - 1933).

Considered the most distinguished Greek poet of the 20th century, Cavafy’s “Ithaka” was inspired by Homer’s Odyssey, focusing on the journey rather than the destination. The poet uses the story of Odysseus’s return to Ithaka as a framework for a philosophical statement about life. The island of Ithaka becomes a symbol for the goals and ideals for which we strive.

The poem’s theme is “enjoyment of the journey of life, and the increasing maturity of the soul as that journey continues.” The journey itself is what is important, not the destination.

Please, do take a moment, and on your computer, phone, tablet or other magic device, look up “Ithaka” and C. P. Cavafy, and read for yourself his wisdom. 

Your life, I promise you, will be richer for it.

Here, then, is my take on the subject of success for the September 2025 Poem of the month. I hope you enjoy it.

SUCCESS

Owning yachts, airplanes and fancy foreign cars
Are for some, the ways to demonstrate their success,
While others might travel extensively…
Or buy fine homes. (Oh, how they dress!)

“The road to success is always under construction!”
So said Lily Tomlin (as she managed a scowl).
The struggles along your path are meant to shape you,
Not break you, so don’t throw in the towel.

Your journey and your path are for you to decide.
You can make it a burden or you can make it fun.
And, while others may accompany you on your path,
No one can walk it for you. (That’s NO ONE!)

Your journey will be easier, far easier (it is said)
If you don’t carry your past with you, my friend.
What you learn on your journey is far more valuable
Than what you achieve at the end.

Your journey will teach you about your destination.
It’s the journey that matters. Do you comprehend?
As Steve Jobs said, “The journey itself Is the reward.”
Your success is the quality of your journey. You transcend!

If you travel far enough, you will meet your true self.
You are destined to become the person you decide to be.
The doing is more important than the outcome.
Success is defined as the quality of your journey.

You might still own the yachts and the exotic cars,
But YOU know you have something MORE:
You have the satisfaction of having experienced 
SUCCESS from the “inside,” and you keep the score.

July 2025’s Poem of the Month, LIVE PURPOSEFULLY sounds like such an enormous assignment… one that only a noted spiritual person might hope to attain…

But, in reality, finding one’s purpose is open to us all!! And, the best way to find your purpose, and live it, is to find and follow your passion. Your passion will lead you to your purpose.

In the meantime, don’t lie, keep your word, don’t make promises you can’t, or have no intention to, keep…

… and Follow Your Dream! 

I hope you enjoy the poem. And… remember that whatever the question, the answer is always love.

LIVE PURPOSEFULLY

It’s said that a person without a purpose
Is like a ship without a rudder.
He might appear as if he’s going somewhere;
(The unknowing of his destination makes me shudder.)

Our lives are short. Our time is limited;
Finding a purpose is essential to do.
It’s not enough to have simply lived,
But to live for something. The onus is on you.

If your purpose grows dim, figure out your passion.
Your passion will lead you to your purpose in life…
A purpose to serve, not a lifestyle to live.
Don’t waste your time living someone else’s life.

Mark Twain said it best and, I think, summed it up
When he uttered these words (what a guy!):
“The two most important days in your life
Are the day you were born, and the day you find out why.”

“The meaning of life is to find your gift.
The purpose of life is to give it away.”
Picasso is credited with sharing this wisdom.
(What interesting art he put on display!)

If your path is hard it’s because your purpose
Is bigger than you thought.
Your purpose is not to maintain personal comfort;
It’s to grow your soul. Use what you’ve brought.

And finally, learn the words of the Dalai Lama:
“People take different roads seeking their own [perfection],
And just because they’re not on your road
They’re not lost, [but on their own path to their own selection]"

Problems arise now and then in our lives… at least, we call them “problems,” and after we have found resolution we can look back and see them as bumps in the road. I love hindsight. It’s always accurate.

Spring is usually a very busy time for me, and this year seems to be even more busy than past years. Of course, having another birthday may have something to do with not accomplishing things in a timely manner. There seems to be more things on the “to do” list… and less time to accomplish them..

So, I’m taking my own advice from the poem, and thinking things through a little better. I’m determining just how much I need to accomplish, and how much can wait its turn… really putting some good thought into it. Learning to prioritize is one of life’s important lessons, and it certainly makes problem solving easier.

You can do the same… Oh, and ease up on yourself. You’re terrific!!!!!

Remember, whatever the question, love is always the answer.

PROBLEM SOLVING

To clear the air about the subject of problem solving,
Some people think it takes a creative mind,,,
Know first of all that problem solving is not creating…
It’s picking up the pieces when the creation has misaligned.

If you keep talking on and on about your problems
They’ll likely increase, and not go away.
You need an objective approach to solve them.
Have an overview, and do not dismay.

If at first you do not succeed,
Then approach your problem with a new guideline.
“You cannot solve the problems with the same line of thinking
That created them.” — so says Einstein.

(There are the idle passersby who offer their two cents.
They wax on and on with the “perfect solution.”
When one doesn’t know much about the problem
It’s much easier to take a stab at the problem’s resolution.)

It’s said that a problem that is well-defined
Is a problem that is already half-solved.
You can’t fix a problem until you know what it is.
Define it correctly and it’s soon to be resolved.

Problems aren’t necessarily obstacles,
But opportunities for growth and for learning.
Tackle the root cause, not the effect.
Take your time, think it through. Be discerning.