We are living in moments of history – which encompass the lives of all of us – where events are accelerating uncontrollably and often leaving the impression that they are completely out of our control.
We know that the passage of time varies according to the inner state by which we measure it. For this reason, we cannot, neither in the lives of human beings nor in the historical life of a community, avoid this feeling of unstoppable speed, partly because everything happens without breaks that allow for breathing, and partly because the number of events worldwide exceeds our ability to assimilate. Just when we think we have understood something, or at least endured it, ten or twenty more things appear that paralyze us with their quantity, dimensions, and speed.
It is not necessary to be an expert to understand what I am talking about, nor is it necessary to give many examples. Fortunately or unfortunately, the effectiveness of the media allows anyone to experience events from any corner of the world without leaving their own home; to feel the impact of pain, misery, conflict, war. death, violence, insecurity, helplessness… For every global situation that occurs – those that fill the media, that will go down in history – there are other very similar personal situations that repeat on a smaller scale what happens on a larger scale. These small things may not become headline news, but they bring suffering to someone. In small human groups, in families, among friends, in everyday relationships, there is also aggression, pain, conflict, helplessness, and unfortunately, crime and murder.
The speed at which we live and the quality of what we experience sometimes lead us to succumb to pessimism. Even if we try to be objective and analyze the quantity and quality of what we experience, the end result is discouraging.
I believe, however, that pessimism or a negative feeling about life does not dominate us. Although helplessness may sometimes paralyze us, we are not actually defeated.
The enormous efforts that nations and individuals make to achieve d Answer, how can one breathe peacefully, how can one stop the whirlwind and destructive and sterile fights. True, the results in many cases are not encouraging, but what matters is the perseverance to start over continuously until the desired results are achieved. There are also infinite dialogues, of course, to the extent that one wonders if states and people really want to reach an agreement, if there is authentic dialogue or just monologues in which no one listens to anyone. However, we do not give up, and that is a good sign, we become aware of our deafness.
Deep in the center of everything that happens to us is a spark of light, optimism, hope for the future, hope for the restoration of harmonious rhythm of life. We talk about pain, but we do it thinking of the happiness that awaits us… if we want to achieve it, of course. We talk about war, but we do it dreaming of peace. We condemn violence because we love coexistence, we are bothered by intolerance because we truly want to understand each other.
Those who do not live with that spark of hope – even though the present is somewhat confusing and dark – o Neither the present nor the future are dangerously negative. Those who feel that spark of recovery, renewal, broad and secure paths, build a more dignified future amidst the difficulties of the present. It is assumed that as philosophers, and in the name of this love for wisdom that encourages us, we preserve that spark, no matter how small it may be, because in it we see a source of light for the future.