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Praise for The OPA! Way

“‘Meaning is being,’ said the great philosopher-physicist David Bohm. The flip side of this nugget of wisdom is that without positive meaning our life is empty, dull, and a drain on those around us. The OPA! Way is a meaning-filled alternative, a doorway to a fulfilling, majestic, and joy-filled existence, seen through the prism of perennial Greek insight.”

—LARRY DOSSEY, MD, author, One Mind: How Our Individual Mind Is Part of a Greater Consciousness and Why It Matters

“At a time when the world seems to be plunging ahead into a future dominated by information technology, apps, increasing individual isolation in a cyber-environment, and obsessive preoccupation with answering one’s emails, The OPA! Way offers something else: a life based on values that go back to ancient Greece; a world in which friends and neighbors spend time together exchanging ideas and experiences; and a future in which service to others offers the richest personal rewards. Is there any doubt that The OPA! Way is by far the better path?”

—MICHAEL S. DUKAKIS, former Massachusetts governor and U.S. presidential nominee; distinguished professor of political science

“For me, The OPA! Way is the ONLY way. This is not just a book. This is a profound, soul-enriching philosophy that captures the true meaning and essence of our lives. The OPA! Way is guaranteed to change the way you see the world forever. I recommend everyone read this book.”

—DEBBIE MATENOPOULOS, author of the best-selling cookbook It’s All Greek to Me and two-time Emmy Award nominee

“Having reviewed several recent books on meaning in life, I finally found a book that really addresses the fundamental issue of human existence in a lucid and practical manner—The OPA! Way. Inspired by Odysseus and informed by Viktor Frankl, the authors are able to show us the profound truth that meaningfulness lies in connecting with meaningful relationships, deeper purpose, and an appreciative attitude. Alex Pattakos and Elaine Dundon have just written another bestseller!”

—DR. PAUL T. P. WONG, editor of The Human Quest for Meaning, 2nd edition

“A must-read and good parenting, teaching, or self-help tool, as the daily affirmations of The OPA! Way are time-tested methods on how to live the good life and ‘enjoy yourself’ in the pursuit of happiness in a way that honors and best serves the well-being of individuals, communities, and, in turn, all of humanity.”

—GEORGE ELIAS STEPHANOPOULOS, executive producer of Golf in the Kingdom and creator of the film Swing Away set in Crete, Greece

“This is an extraordinary book with many insights and directions for leading a healthier, happier, and more meaningful life. Congratulations to Alex Pattakos and Elaine Dundon for your exceptional contribution to Living.”

—E. MIKE VASILOMANOLAKIS, MD, chief of staff and director, cardiology division, Community Hospital of Long Beach, California; Grammy Award–winning music producer

“Alex Pattakos and Elaine Dundon have done it again. With The OPA! Way, they brilliantly articulate that we all need meaningful relationships, must engage with deeper purpose, and must tackle life with the goal that we can truly make a difference. This book is indeed a prescription for lives worth living for all of us!”

—THE HONOURABLE CAROLYN BENNETT, MD, member of Parliament (Canada)

“Truly . . . outstanding! I can’t begin to tell you how this book touched my heart, spirit, mind, and body. I believe The OPA! Way should be mandatory reading for everyone! It should be taught in schools. Doctors, psychologists, nutritionists, employers, coaches, athletes, fathers, mothers, presidents, and all people around the world should have this on a special bookshelf and incorporate it into their lives and work. At the tender age of 18 months old, I became a type 1 diabetic. I have no recollection of any life other than a daily routine of checking my blood sugars and taking insulin shots. Life for me is always a bit tenuous. Yet, I am so blessed to be a diabetic for no other reason than it has made me understand what is truly important on this journey of life. It’s all here in this inspirational book, as Alex and Elaine take you on a beautiful odyssey of meaning and purpose while visiting Greece. Like Alex, my family comes from the Sfakia region of Crete. It was such a joy to read about the Cretan people and Greek people in general and the beauty they carry naturally within. They are grateful for the simplest things in life. We all should be grateful. The world has much to offer us . . . and us to it. Thank you, Alex and Elaine. I feel our souls are one. Okay, I am ready to dance and take off on my journey again . . . OPA!”

—ADONI MAROPIS, actor, filmmaker, and athlete

“Alex and Elaine have made profound connections between the wisdom of the ancient Greeks and the crises of modern life to help us all chart a path toward a life of meaning.”

—JOHN METAXAS, news anchor, CBS New York

“Until The OPA! Way, the benefits of growing up within the community-oriented and human-centered Greek culture were buried way back in the depths of my childhood mind. Greeks have always lived in symbiotic harmony between individual ambition and the common good, called the ‘village.’ As the son of Greek immigrants and growing up in Chicago’s close-knit Greek community, this was second nature to me, and something I took for granted. OPA! Alex and Elaine, thank you for reminding me!”

—JOHN P. CALAMOS, SR., founder, chairman, CEO, Co-CIO, Calamos Asset Management, Inc.

“‘OPA!,’ a well-known exclamation deciphered into the core of human existence and existential sanity. With insight, sensitivity, and knowledge, Alex Pattakos and Elaine Dundon go beyond scientific or philosophical observations and ascertainments. In simple words and examples they present the core philosophy for a meaningful life, which could even be called survival in this difficult era. The OPA! Way, based on ancient tried values of humanity, forgotten in the antagonistic quest for progress and power through the years, proposes a practical and feasible answer to the eternal question of dealing with life with a reason for living, through dignity and respect for oneself and the people around. A must-read book for every thinking human being, and its content especially discussed with the younger generation of today!”

—ALIKI MITSAKOS, MD, PHD, cofounder, The International Center for Leading Studies, Athens, Greece

“I love it. The OPA! Way is one of the most important books on Meaning to come along in years because it is based on the wisdom of Greek philosophers and traditional Greek culture. Breaking and going beyond the stereotypes that typically define what it means to be ‘Greek,’ The OPA! Way is a celebration of Greek life that offers a rare yet very practical guide to finding joy and meaning in everyday life. I applaud Alex and Elaine for their insights and advice that show all of us, Greeks and those not of Greek heritage, that living a life of meaning is possible. Let’s all say, ‘OPA!’”

—GREGORY C. PAPPAS, founder and chairman, Greek America Foundation; CEO, The Pappas Media Group; and founder and publisher, Greek America Magazine and The Pappas Post

“In a day and age when most of us have too much to do and too little time to do it, Alex and Elaine have written a book that’s sorely needed. They provide ageless and wise advice on what really matters—a life worth living. I hope that you take the time to read it, study it, and most importantly, LIVE it. I know I plan to.”

—FRANK YIANNAS, vice president of food safety for Global Brands, Walmart; adjunct professor, Michigan State University; past president, International Association for Food Protection; and author of Food Safety Culture

“In The OPA! Way, Alex Pattakos and Elaine Dundon turn to Greek culture as its muse for defining the meaning of life and find a treasure trove of insightful discoveries about the human spirit. After you read it, you’ll want to shout ‘OPA!’”

—NIKI LEONDAKIS, CEO, Commune Hotels & Resorts

“Alex and Elaine generously share with us what was so graciously shared with them on their travels through Greece: how to find the true joy of living based on very simple yet fulfilling principles. From philosophical concepts to spiritual principles to dietary suggestions, this delightful book continues to stimulate ideas long after the final page is finished. This is NOT self-help. This is help yourself . . . to a beautiful life, The OPA! Way!”

—DON FERTMAN, chief development officer, Subway, and founder, Recovery Branches

“Alex and Elaine capture the essence and secrets of the balanced and beautiful life passed on from the ancient world and made relevant, meaningful, and so inspiring in contemporary times. The OPA! Way: Finding Joy & Meaning in Everyday Life & Work is a mirror of the glory that IS Greece—embedded in each individual—just waiting to be unleashed. Alex and Elaine provide catharsis and the ‘Way’ through a compelling and thoroughly enjoyable treasure and page-turner. Bravo and OPA!”

—ART DIMOPOULOS, executive director, National Hellenic Society

“Alex and Elaine achieved a quite complex and challenging goal—they wrote a book on meaning by putting it in a quite unusual context: ‘Hellenism vs. Globalization.’ They define the meaning of life through a continuous confrontation of the values/practices of the global (American) capitalism with those of Hellenism (as it has been reflected in the ancient fables and the modern Cretan/Greek villages’ way of living). They present in a simple and clear way the imbalances and the causes for personal and social catastrophes or disasters by contrasting turbo capitalism to an ‘anthrocapitalism,’ the essence of which is The OPA! Way of thinking and acting. Hellenism can formulate a future and hope to humanity for years to come.”

—PANAGIOTIS KARKATSOULIS, PHD, founder, Institute for Regulatory Policy Research; policy advisor, Hellenic Ministry of Administrative Reform and eGovernment; and professor, National School of Public Administration, Athens, Greece

“Alex and Elaine addressed a huge number of important and complex issues. Each reader will find something in The OPA! Way that will enrich his or her inner world. I warmly recommend the reading of The OPA! Way, preferably in the plane that will take you to Greece or under the warm sun and clean skies of the blue and white country.”

—DR. ANGELOS PANGRATIS, ambassador of the European Union to the World Trade Organization, Geneva, Switzerland

“Who would have thought that three little letters (O-P-A!) together would make such a BIG word. The OPA! Way is truly a life-changing read that infuses a Hellenic flavor of purpose and meaning in all we are and do . . . thank you, Alex and Elaine, for this inspiring work!”

—STEVE AGI, publisher and managing editor, OPA! Magazine, Australia

“While reading The OPA! Way: Finding Joy & Meaning in Everyday Life & Work, I yearned to dance like Zorba and change my last name to ‘Kampmannzakis.’ But Alex and Elaine brilliantly show how The OPA! Way principles of meaningful and purposeful connection to both ourselves and to others flow within each of us no matter who we are, no matter where we live (although I still dream to dance like Zorba on a beach in Crete!).”

—STEVEN KAMPMANN, writer, director, and educator

“The OPA! Way provides a meaningful pathway for helping to rebrand Greece and rediscover the true Greek spirit. Alex and Elaine also inspire and guide us to look for meaning in our everyday lives. This is a must read book. OPA!”

—AGAPI STASSINOPOULOS, author, Unbinding the Heart: A Dose of Greek Wisdom, Generosity, and Unconditional Love

“Aside from being a wonderfully entertaining and fun read, this book is educational and an inspirational way to find true meaning in Life. Simply said, it’s the perfect and complete guide for a better and happier life in general.”

—DIRK DALICHAU, lifestyle hotelier, chief operating officer, Ovolo Group, Hong Kong

“Kudos to authors Pattakos and Dundon for their inspiring look at how we can introduce meaning into our personal and business lives. Their unique approach of using the words of the ancient Greek philosophers in conjunction with the words and lives of current day Greek citizens results in an effective form of storytelling. One that provides a template upon which they can examine the micro as well as the macro effects of living a life with meaning.”

—KAREN BLOOM, Bloom, Gross & Associates, Chicago

“Alex and Elaine have described, in a very compelling and readable way, an approach to finding meaning that readers can apply not only in their workplaces but, more importantly, in their lives. Even if you’re not of Greek heritage, the lessons in this book can help you live a fuller and more meaningful life. And, after all, that’s what it’s really all about—or should be.”

—BOB LAVIGNA, assistant vice chancellor, human resources, University of Wisconsin; author, Engaging Government Employees