The contagion slows down but gives no respite. The vaccine race, slowed down and then restarted, is lived, between fear and controversy, in the awareness that it is the only salvation from the pandemic.
Science and politics struggle to get out of the health and economic emergency. In a geopolitical framework that requires measures and behaviors in harmony between the Italian state and regions, in Europe and globally.
The murderous virus cancels all certainty. Attacks the weak points of the body, mind but also of the heart. The frailty of humanity and his strength. How to fight
it The world, still a prisoner of a “suspended” life, lives in the solitude of a present that has lasted for over a year. A time that seems eternal and that has erased the myths of narcissism and human omnipotence of the pre-Covid era.
Nuanced images of a world irremediably vanished. But as we were, before
Also this year, in a period of pandemic, the data of the “World Happiness Report 2021” remind us of the goal of happiness. Italy is out of the ranking of the happiest countries in the world while Northern Europe is confirmed as the “land of happiness”, with Finland in first place. Our country is, in fact, in 25th place, conquering, however, three positions more than the previous year.
“We urgently need to learn from Covid-19,” said Jeffrey Sachs, professor at Columbia University. “The pandemic reminds us of our global environmental threats, the urgent need to cooperate and the difficulties of achieving cooperation in every country and around the world. The report reminds us that we must aim for well-being rather than mere wealth, which will be truly fleeting if we don’t do a better job in addressing the challenges of sustainable development ”.
Mental health severely affected by Covid, according to the report. Compromised biological rhythms. Torn by nocturnal anxieties and diurnal intolerances. Worn out between insomnia, palpitations, depression, aggression.
The Italian news reports a widespread increase in violence. Towards women, parents, even children. Episodes of homophobia and misogyny. Often rooted in resentments, anger, insecurities, refusal of one’s identity. Fragility explodes in the unconscious now more than ever. Without possible compensations.
A national emergency, in 2020, the collapse of births. They are the half of deaths (404,104 compared to 746,146), a record low since the unification of Italy. A choice, in times of a pandemic, or a renunciation dictated by the numerous difficulties that families have experienced for years in terms of economic resources and work, family and social organization
A recent study published by the journal Science states that the decline often corresponds to major collective traumas, which hopefully may be followed by a recovery in future years.
All the fault of Covid
And the legacy of the past. In the gravity of the present, suffering and regret but at the same time, for many, a sense of uselessness for a finite time, made up of selfishness, rapacity of power and constant mediations with oneself.
We have recognized and internalized the limits of our past
For the future, we will give space to new priorities for a more authentic existence
With these questions we prepare for Easter.
A different Easter, in “red” Italy, like last year and during the 2020 Christmas holidays.
Times and methods imposed by the need to contain the virus. Egg and dove in the house, without relatives and friends. Easter Mass with self-certification, in the church closest to your home. Vigil within curfew time, canceled processions and washing of feet on Holy Thursday. Indications also for the olive branch, on Palm Sunday.
According to an Adnkronos survey carried out in collaboration with Emg-Different, considering the emergency situation, 7 out of 10 Italians are in favor of giving up traditional celebrations. Especially the women.
What can comfort our heart
Annihilated by fear and disorientation, paralyzed in any project, we look to the Easter Christian rite that passes through suffering and death to arrive at the Resurrection of Christ.
Holy Week is the period of fasting, prayer but also of hope. A “suspended” period lived in the certainty and trust of Jesus’ love. It is the journey of the Cross, acceptance of pain and, then, redemption towards a new life.
Love is stronger than death in the Resurrection of Christ. This is the time to think about rebirth and a different way of feeling happy. Without giving in to the memory of a past which, perhaps, did not correspond to what we remember. The deceptive memory makes fears and uncertainties triumph in the silence of the heart.
Faced with Covid which has accelerated essential changes in technology, work organization, medicine and science, we can transform our feelings, for a happy restart. Starting also from the deep feeling of women.
“Not what is ephemeral gives happiness, but only love sates the thirst for the infinite that is in us,” Pope Francis affirmed.
And, again, “the rebirth of humanity began with women. Salvation was born from the Virgin Mary, that’s why there is no salvation without the woman. If we care about the future, if we want a luxuriant tomorrow, we need to give the right space to women ”, the pontiff recalled.
The feelings and progress of a better society cannot be separated from respect and recognition of female value and diversity, the symbol of the state of a democracy.
In the coming months, hopefully, the virus will be defeated but we will continue to make sense of it, including masks, vaccines and relationships that will still suffer from the need for caution. We will be able to rewrite a new scale of values without a gender hierarchy that can bring us closer, men and women
. the strength to challenge the unpredictable imperfection of life yesterday, today and tomorrow.
It is a supreme gift to be lived, however, with joy, optimism and confidence. Without alibi. For a new society of dialogue, encounter and solidarity.
Sometimes forgiving and forgetting. “Happiness is made up of moments of forgetfulness”, said Toto in an interview with Oriana Fallaci , in 1963.
Sometimes, to look ahead with confidence it is important to forget. Follow the strength of the heart that also regenerates the mind. Every new prospect needs to feed on trust. The reasons of the heart will prevail.
Through love we will overcome the mystery of the suffering of the human condition. With the joy of rebirth. It is the teaching and the secret weapon of this pandemic time.
Happy Easter!
