My Odyssey

Pause for Thought on the Sara Cox Breakfast Show, BBC Radio 2
My Odyssey

Script:

It was popcorn time last week as I went to see ‘The Odyssey’, Nolan’s cinematic take on the ancient Greek poem. I was joined by two friends, all three of us former Classics students who were geeking out a little – but just to break the stereotype, none of us ever wore socks with sandals…that was one of our lecturers. 

Back in the cinema, checking we had enough snacks to see us through three hours, the words THE ODYSSEY flashed up on screen and I suddenly felt chills, recalling the first time I read Homer’s epic poem at school. I marvelled at Odysseus’ adventures as he made his arduous journey back to his kingdom, through the twists and turns of magic and monsters. 

Odysseus got lost multiple times on what should have taken him two weeks but ended up taking 10 years – which ignited the cliche that men don’t ask for directions. But with the guidance, protection and sometimes menace of others, he finally made it home. 

There was a time I lost sense of who I was, and retreated like a snail shrinking into her shell. A friend noticed me fading away and messaged every day with words of cheer until I emerged into the sunlight again. 

There was a time I was pulled down a path by someone who was no good for me, and I had to find a way to climb back through the rocks, scratched and bruised, but learning how to break through. 

Like Odysseus, my journey has been tossed and shaped by the people along the way. By the one who reached out each day and steadied me in rough waters. Even by the one who threw me off course but caused me to steer myself somewhere new.

The American Muslim speaker and author, Yasmin Mogahed says, “Be grateful for every single person who was part of your story. The ones that hurt you. The ones that helped you. The ones that came, and the ones that left. They all taught you.”

Whether they leave or stay, hurt or heal, I’m learning that everyone is part of my own epic odyssey. And going forward, unlike Odysseus, I reckon I will be asking for directions.

Listen to the audio here: Pause for Thought on the Sara Cox Breakfast Show, BBC Radio 2