The malaise curtain that first started in Greece and spread to Ireland, Portugal and now Spain and possibly Italy shows reveals the depth of pain in Europe. The problem did not arise overnight. It has been decades in the making. But in this darkness, the seeds of the new Greece are being planted. Work is being done by ordinary people who show ingenuity in dealing with the critical social, economic and political issues of the nation.
Across the land people take charge of their lives in a way not seen since World War II. Abandoned farms are being regenerated. Homes fixed and lived in. Streets cleaned. Those that had ideas for starting a small company are doing so – now that they are out of work. Thousands upon thousands of Greeks daily show their heroism in the face of incredible odds. Waste is being reduced. People drive less; shop wisely; don’t throw away money frivolously on pointless purchases; they spend time with friends and family rather than going to a pricey bar, or they rediscover the value of enjoying a nice stroll in the evening.
Out of the maelstrom that is the economic crisis (unemployment rate now at 22%, and it may climb to 30%), emerges some semblance of a new society, but ironically with values decidedly old fashioned.
It’s an exciting time to be in Greece. I wonder how many Greeks know they lay the foundations for the rebirth of a nation?
By old values, I mean rekindling the value of friendship and community, of taking charge of their lives rather than waiting for someone else, or the government to step in (I don’t mean in matters of national or personal security), of appreciating the beauty that is Greece, and of doing all possible to protect the environment. These elements do not get reported. Instead, knowledge of these come through via backwater channels, through personal communication or through blogs.
What we do see are the dramatic, the violent, the shocking, the prurient, the savage, and the bizarre. Decent humanity that lives quietly, doing its work without publicity, has to be searched to be found.
It is a fact of life and nature that out of darkness emerges light. There is a genetic theory that during times of crisis (world wars, economic depressions, etc.), that is when nature produces human babies that are exceptionally smart and innovative. And genius. But it is hard to see this reality during the darkness. When it is impossible even think of the next step, let alone the future. The difficulty lies in encouraging Greeks to not give up and let political extremism rule the day. The difficulty lies in thinking that the darkness will go on forever when in fact at the least moment expected it will break and light pierce through.
Greece will get through. It’s a belief. We create our own reality. This is the shocking truth of society: it is all constructed. The rules, the games, the standards, the laws, the expectations, the demands, the norms, the values – all of it, all of what we call culture and government and society and industry and entertainment – it’s all made up. There is no law anywhere that says it all has to stay the same, remain in place forever. It rarely does.
It is in such moments of darkness that people are more willing to try something different, try something new, and let go of the past. That is when exciting things may happen. Clearly the system in Greece was not working – the whole corrupt apparatus fell of its own pathetic weight. Now that it’s crumbled, new ideas can shine through.
Few believe that a new Greece emerges even as I strike these keys on my laptop. Soon some will believe. And that is when the corner will have been turned.
What a grand moment that will be!
Thanks to StudyingAbroad for this wonderful article
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