Crisis or change?

In general, we associate “crisis” to situations of profound change, almost always unforeseen and with important consequences for the immediate horizon of individuals, groups or societies.

The word “crisis” derives from the Greek “krísis” (decision) and, at the same time, it comes from “krino” (I separate, I decide) and has its meaning into the deep roots of Indo-European.

In its origins, like many other words, “crisis” was a term related to the field, specifically to wheat harvesting, and was associated with the time when farmers separated stalk from grain.

Meaning, “crisis” is a metaphor for the crucial moment in which the most important thing (the grain) is separated from the superfluous (the stalk)

Hence the word “crisis” has also derived from words like “criterion” which is an essential condition (to have criteria to decide which is the grain and which is the stalk), to know that we need to move forward and look towards the future.

Is now the time for change?

We suddenly realized how important it is to go for a stroll (a simple stroll), how wonderful it is to walk and breathe, how healthy it is to chat while looking at the sky, how comforting it is to run for a while and stretch the muscles or how essential it is to hug and be hugged.

Suddenly, we start making bread and cakes, or we decide to call an old friend and ask him how he is doing after so long without seeing each other.

We have learned (finally, perhaps) that in order to live, to live well, we do not need to consume so much or so constantly.

Therefore, now that we enjoy a new approach, now that we can separate the grain from the stalk, discern what is important and what is superfluous, it is time to change our habits and (unnecessary) routines.

Why travel by plane or high-speed train to this or that city, if I could do the same meeting online?

Why drive to work every day, if I could only do one or two days a week?

Why bother to renew my wardrobe every year, if with a few pieces of quality clothing I already have enough?

Why go to a department store when I can shop “in bulk”, much closer, without disposable plastics, to the grocery store / fruit shop / fish market in my neighborhood?

And why bear the environmental cost of making someone bring me home any caprice from thousands and thousands of miles away?

For what?

With judgment, towards change and transformation: less consumption, higher quality, closer to home, without superfluous single-use plastic objects and, always, more conscious and respectful with the environment.