You have rightly recognized that the Odyssey can be viewed as metaphor for the journey of life. Odysseus faced a daunting (and very dangerous), ten-year journey home to his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus.
At several points in the story, he was given the option to give up or compromise his quest. For instance, the beautiful goddess Calypso wanted Odysseus to marry her and start a new family with her on her island. However, Odysseus refused to trade his goal for what would only be a shadow of the real thing.
At another juncture, Odysseus was sidetracked from his quest by a year-long affair with Circe, another goddess. However, Odysseus eventually remembered his quest and made the decision to get back on track.
Like Odysseus, most people encounter difficult experiences on the journey of life. They may be tempted to abandon their goals, or at least compromise them for lesser ones. However, like Odysseus--who eventually returned home to his wife and son--one will find that life is worth the struggle.
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