“It is the Journey, young grasshopper”

“It is the journey, young grasshopper ….not the destination”, I would imagine Master Po counseling Kwai Chang Cain (aka David Carradine) in the 70’s popular “Kung Fu” TV series.

My buddies and I were always impressed by the flowing rivers of wisdom bestowed upon young grasshopper by his kung fu master and Shaolin monk. This was almost as cool as the jumping roundhouse kicks.

If only I had my own Shaolin monk to advise me through life as Kwai Chang Cain had. He was fortunate to have two! … Masters Po and Kan. I could have used just one of them from time to time to help me answer some of life’s questions in such poetic and calming ways as:

“Grasshopper, be yourself and never fear thus to be naked to the eyes of others. Yet, know that man so often masks himself. That what is simple is rarely understood. The dust of truth swirls and seeks its own cracks of entry and the tree falling in the forest, without ears to hear, makes no sound yet it falls”

Wow!! Feel enlightened?

I often would utter …”it is the journey, young grasshopper, not the destination” when a path to completing a project seemed blocked by boulders and bandits. Also when personal problems seemed bleak and insurmountable, this mantra would work well. Obvious meaning ….the true value is the learning and personal growth gained as we deal with the obstacles and challenges encountered along the way … regardless of whether we are successful or not.

There is a wonderful Greek poem written in 1894 by Constantine P. Cavafy (1863 – 1933) titled “Ithaka”. It speaks to this subject very nicely. It is based on a Greek classic, possibly Homer’s Odyssey, about a journey to Ithaka, a small island off the west coast of Greece. The writer offers a traveler, possibly Odysseus, advice about crossing paths with angry and vengeful gods. Besides the warnings, the writer encourages the traveler to make the best of it. “Ask that your way be long” and visit as many ports and markets as possible, buy luxuries and seek the wisdom of the learned. Good advice? You bet.

Although the spirit of the poem speaks more to positive experiences and triumphs, the contrary would also apply. There has to be something gained from unpleasant experiences. There has to be some meaning to it all.

Want a real example? A dear friend’s wonderful wife was diagnosed with a form of cancer a few years ago. It was a very difficult and emotional journey they both embarked upon. They traveled from discovery through treatment and then to a blessed recovery. Besides the heart warming updates he would email to friends and family on behalf of his wife, he recapped the lessons of their ordeal. To me this was a beautiful demonstration of the journey being as important as the destination (i.e., remission).

To summarize a few …
• We are stronger then we think
• We are loved by more people then we may realize
• When in doubt, give it to God
• God does have a sense of humor
• We need to forgive ourselves and then forgive others
• Living in the past can be filled with regrets, living in the future can be filled with fear, living in the moment can make me happy.
• Sometimes it is just best to do nothing
• Nothing lasts forever – good times or bad
• Everything I have done in my life has brought me to this place. I am the sum of my experiences, good and bad.
• I want to laugh more

Of course there is a moral to these random tales of Kung Fu fighters, Greek mythology and personal triumph. There are actually two.

First ….. Too often we focus on the end …… cashing the bonus check, hanging the diploma on the wall or hearing the audience’s applaud.

Those are only important if they serve to remind us of the journey we took to get there and how the journey made us better people. If it is only for the ego, they will collect dust on a mantle, end up tucked away in a closet or as a temporary fix that needs to be satisfied again and again with less effect.

Second …. Even in the darkest moments, we learn, grow and become stronger …..if we will only let it. Those obstacles and “sideliners” can open unknown pathways to help further our own enlightenment ....... young grasshopper.

I leave you with my favorite verse from Ithaka …

“Ithaka has given you the splendid voyage.
Without her, you would never have set out,
But she has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor,
Ithaka has not deceived you.

So wise have you become of such experience,
That already you will have understood
What this Ithakas mean.”

Bon Voyage ….. and buy as many sensuous perfumes as you can!

Extra Credit: Reading of “Ithaka” by Sean Connery