Easter and concepts of time
Two concepts of time: Chronos (χρόνος) and Kairos (καιρός)
Easter in our lives now occurs twice. We have roots in the Catholic Easter celebration (Poland and Sweden) but we are also part of the Greek (Orthodox) Easter celebration. In our multinational home it feels like a superfluous event and therefore we celebrate these holidays little or not at all. But these holidays mean that our friends from different countries and cultures are here and we are happy to meet them all. Not necessarily with colorful eggs and other things that belong to Easter. Those days, I often think about "time" and the different perceptions we have about "time". The knowledge that life is not measured by time but by moments.
Two concepts of time: Chronos (χρόνος) and Kairos (καιρός)
Chronos (found in the word chronological) denotes clock time, a compressed present that is constantly rushing forward. Kairos denotes the moments when we experience time almost stopping, the present expanding. Most of the friends we meet come here to live according to Kairos' concept of time, a Qualitative Time. But it is not easy to forget “Chronos” time rules. A "ticking clock" or "calendar time" is the time that we actually live most of our life. Even if “Chronos” (personified as old "Father Time") can represent for some of us the destructive aspect of time that consumes all things, it is necessary that “Chronos” exist in our lives and societies.
"Every kairos is a chronos, but not every chronos is a kairos."— Hippocrates
Most people have experienced many moments of kairos. It can feel like reality becomes extra intense and we encounter nature or other people as they really are, not as isolated objects but as part of a larger whole, without any thought of utility or personal gain. The problem is that we live in such an instrumentalized world, where everything should be useful. This means that even traditional rituals, such as meditation, mindfulness and yoga, have taken on a utilitarian character. It becomes something people do to temporarily relax, to manage stress or to "find themselves".
What is the smallest step I can take to bring “Kairos” into my life?
How can I experience more Kairos moments in my life?
What is meaningful to me in a larger context?
How can I end the day in a good way?
How can I be more honest with myself today?
What in my situation do I need to accept and what do I need to change to experience “kairos”?
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."— J.R.R. Tolkien
That's right, it rained like crazy this month and most of us weren't happy with the weather. But a day of sunshine and that magically calming Big Blue feeling is enough to help us recover. I choose to focus on the bright days because whining about what we can't control is like poison to my soul.
I had eye surgery this month and, yes, I was scared but everything went great and, after some scary moments, my life will be easier. From -9.5 to -2.75. The surgery was performed in Kalamata and I can recommend the entire team of this eye clinic to anyone who needs help improving their vision.
We managed to make HouseFinders end happily: the latest buyer comes from my hometown Warsaw! The circle is closed and I feel an immense gratitude to everyone we met during our business activities.
And I continue to learn Greek and, yes, I have my doubts BUT I choose to focus more on how much I can “feel and understand” than on how much I can “say and convey.” Maybe not the right path BUT it’s my path, right? I am grateful that my Greek teacher can teach me to understand the beauty of Greek songs like this "Για να σε συναντήσω” ("To meet you" by Kostas Livadas). Maybe I can't speak Greek yet, but I have a Greek soul. I think.
