The most microscopic of our subjects stripped us of it.
The paradox is that we were already sick. And returning to normal only implies returning to the terminal illness.
There is no vaccine that can save us from that normality. Only solidarity will save us, and that implies drastically moving away from the individualistic and consumerist lifestyle we had before the confinement.
I am not radical nor do I support dictatorships of any kind. I believe in an economic system that allows us to undertake and grow, developing our creative capacities. But NO, I do not believe in the type of marketing that we have nurtured and fattened.
This system forgot to include solidarity. And of course... without solidarity, there will never be a system that is sustainable in the long term.
Let's learn for once from History, which reminds us that those who have been humble, generous with others and have disassociated themselves from the ego are the true heroes, and that is why we value them. And one is a hero or heroine when you sacrifice individual comfort for the collective well-being.
It is obvious to everyone that the way of life we had was the real Covid-indefinite that had the Planet with constant cough, fever and breathing difficulties.
In this confinement, we have a golden opportunity to redefine normality. It is no secret to anyone that the advertising campaigns to return to that "normality" (which was the real virus) will be more brutal and more aggressive than ever. Let's take the opportunity to redefine our real needs and the pseudo-needs that have been created for us. No. We don't need that new bag to feel powerful. Much less that "junk food" that has nothing natural about it. Nor that fancy car to feel privileged. Because to feel all those emotions we simply need something as simple as practicing solidarity, supporting the redistribution of wealth, choosing political and social leaders who are up to the circumstances of the moment and who fight for the well-being of the majorities.
Let's analyze the infinite inconsistencies of the lifestyle and rhythm of life we led... filling our bodies with junk food to fill emotional voids, buying low cost clothes and materials that represent a great cost to the planet.
We all lose likes, listening to a "You're way" and that has been the root problem. Fostering self-esteem based on social perceptions that falsely stimulate the ego, based on possessions and not on generosity and solidarity.
Having a house, a car and paying a thousand loans that we always knew were beyond our means; indebting ourselves to pay with sleepless nights thinking about how to do it. That is NOT life. It moves away from happiness. Because when you can't sleep, it's impossible to be happy.
It is not normal for 1 percent of the people on the planet to accumulate more than 80 percent of the wealth of the planet, while more than 50 percent die of hunger.
What good is it for them to have money for their future 30 generations if they may not have even one?
We need role models that encourage us to be better and not to consume without conscience. We need people who give us tricks to recycle and save, to avoid unnecessary consumerism.
Hopefully the reflection that this confinement provokes will allow us to fight against the rearmament of advertising lobbies.
The good news is that, this time, The Resistance has Planet Earth on its side.
Ecologism is neither right nor left, it is the indispensable condition for having a future. responsibility and a commitment to space and the present.
In this year that we celebrate the centenary of the birth of César Manrique, what better tribute than to reflect on the improvement of the system...?
We could start, for example, by focusing on promoting sustainable tourism for which coming to visit our land is a luxury... not a last-minute promotional offer with an all-inclusive without leaving the hotel.
Let's reflect, let's reflect...!
Amalia M. Fajardo
