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First e-book edition: November 2014
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Pattakos, Alex.
The OPA! way : finding joy & meaning in everyday life & work / Alex Pattakos & Elaine Dundon.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-940363-25-7 (trade cloth : alkaline paper)—ISBN 978-1-940363-51-6 (electronic) 1. Greece—Social life and customs. 2. Greeks—Psychology. 3. Philosophy, Ancient. 4. Conduct of life. 5. Social values. 6. Self-actualization (Psychology) I. Dundon, Elaine, 1959- II. Title.
DF741.P395 2014
650.1—dc23
2014018819
Editing by Heather Butterfield | Copyediting by Francesa Drago
Proofreading by Greg Tegaue and Rainbow Graphics
Graphic design by W. Scott Matthews
Cover design by Bradford Foltz | Jacket design by Sarah Dombrowsky
Text design and composition by Silver Feather Design
Printed by Lake Book Manufacturing
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Dedicated to the ancient Greek philosophers and traditional Greek villagers who taught us so much about how to live the good life, as well as to all the people around the world who are searching for meaning.
Contents
Chapter 2 OPA! More than a Word
Others (O): Connect Meaningfully with Others
Chapter 3 Connect with The Village
Chapter 4 Connect with Hospitality
Chapter 5 Connect with Honor
PART THREE
Purpose (P): Engage with Deeper Purpose
Chapter 6 Engage with “Know Thyself”
Chapter 7 Engage with Arete
Chapter 8 Engage with Evdemonia
PART FOUR
Attitude (A): Embrace Life with Attitude
Chapter 9 Embrace The Fullness of Life
Chapter 10 Embrace Aphobia
Chapter 11 Embrace Well-Being
PART FIVE
The Odyssey Continues . . .
Chapter 12 Everybody Say “OPA!”
Acknowledgments
Join the OPA! Movement
About the Authors
THE SUN WAS SHINING AND the sky appeared bluer than usual. We could even see our reflections in the crystal-clear water of the Cretan Sea as it gently kissed the shoreline much like it must have done when Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaka and hero of Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, passed by the same spot thousands of years before. It is Odysseus
