What Makes Atlantis More Than Myth

Discovering life lessons for today within the ancient myth of Atlantis

Legend has it that Atlantis was a prosperous civilization, filled with unimaginable wealth and beauty—until it sank beneath the sea, disappearing forever. While Atlantis may remain a legend, some believe Santorini—once home to the ancient Minoans—could be the real-life inspiration for the myth. Nearly 4,000 years ago, the island was struck by a volcanic eruption that dramatically altered its landscape, leaving behind the steep cliffs now adorned with whitewashed buildings and blue-roofed churches.

I’ve been fortunate to visit Santorini several times, and each time, I’m struck not just by its beauty, but also by how fragile it seems. As I write today, Santorini is experiencing a series of quakes, raising questions about the safety and stability of life amidst its beauty. It’s a powerful reminder that everything can change in an instant.

Look at Santorini. The cascading villages and sunset lookouts perched precariously on cliffsides symbolize impermanence. Like everything in life, nothing lasts forever. The same forces that made it magnificent will eventually tear it down. And yet, it’s this very impermanence that makes it all the more beautiful.

Atlantis might be gone, but its message is pretty clear: nothing sticks around forever. So, instead of running the hamster wheel, why not pause for a second and enjoy the beauty that’s right under your nose? Life, much like Santorini, is beautiful and unpredictable. The sooner we admit that the more freedom we have to enjoy what’s right in front of us—before it disappears like Atlantis.

In the Greek poet Constantine Cavafy’s most famous poem, Ithaka,
he writes of the power of the present moment:
As you set out for Ithaka,
hope the voyage is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.
…May there be many a summer morning when,
with what pleasure, what joy,
you come into harbors seen for the first time…
…Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you are destined for.

Take a breath.
Look around.
The lesson of Atlantis isn’t about what’s lost, but about embracing the moment we’ve found.

To your never-ending now.