There are times I wonder, “What am I doing in this country? Why do I stay and I don’t leave? Why don’t I escape the strain, the sluggishness, the deficit and debt? Why do I insist on being here and striving, on competing against people who keep hurting and offending this country for so long? For decades, they have been striving to dry out the country from hope and strength and vision. They have been trying hard to deprive the country of any future; the future it deserves and is fighting for. And they still persist in applying policies that put at stake its Future that hasn’t even started yet, they tarnish its glorious Past, and destroy any Present myself also, struggle to create”.

It’s because I know why, because I’m aware of every reason that keeps me here, that keeps on bringing me back here, that I remain, determined to stay in Greece.

Here, today, with Greece bleeding, owing and borrowing, striving against political and social irresponsibility, economic crisis, austerity measures, indigence, while paying back with same-day cheques, every time Equality before Law, flies away like confetti; Legitimacy, turns into carnations send to famous singers in the night clubs; Responsibilities, play dough in kindergartens; Embezzlement of public wealth and resources becomes private capital for those almost par excellence shareholders of unique clientalist relations with Politicians and public servants, reiterating excessive corruption, impunity and recession.

Well, here, today I stay, because Greece is more than a Country; it is a Homeland.

The Greek Man has lived similar situations before, like you and me: after wars, he has risen from the ashes; after deprivation, he came out intact; after strains and hurdles, he was inspired, creative, armed with inner strength; and after walking on rough roads, he gained experience and signed his personal achievements.

Here, in this land, because the Greek Man puts his heart above all, and lends his hand to help you rise up against unemployment, poverty, and depression. Because the Greek Man knows: today it’s you, tomorrow it may well be him; and here, under current national, family and personal economic and social difficulties, no one walks and steps forward alone. Because Greeks conjure sorrow, loss and death, with collective joy and celebration.

Because Greeks cannot be lonely, introvert, or secluded.

The Greek Man and Woman eyes hunt for the light; and every step, track and trace new open, even tough, paths.

I stay here because the Greek Man values to can higher than to want.

The soul is greater than the strength.

The voice is louder than the silence.

And patience, unfailing in angst.

But still remains something heavier and deeper: here, the Greek Man knows, unveils and challenges the limits, because he has learned to cross them, in order to attain the peak, to walk on the top, to reach to the heights. Because his war-cry aera (air), sums up the Greek Man’s life, scope and route.

On this tiny pixel of land, the Greek Man resists. He resists to all accusations and charges, his own remorse and regrets included. With his work: a promising young man setting up his own start-up company, a businessman in Northern Greece producing high-end technology for the global market, a water polo athlete crowned World Champion.

Because the Greek Man is questioning, searching, stands curious by nature.

He comprehends, he doesn’t merely understand.

He watches, he doesn’t merely see.

He puts fair before every play, competition, battle and effort made.

He knows that to create means to exist.

To think is to breathe.

To discuss and debate leads to evolve.

So, he assembles vision, dream, talent, knowledge, effort, failure and success together, and builds his own present and Greece’s future.

Because for the Greek, wisdom is not written in a book, cannot only be read to become acquired.

In Mind and Reason, he detects Logic and Inspiration, only to later transform them into art, mathematics, words and Logos. In Thinking and Reasoning, he designs his own business idea, before putting it down to paper, turning it into a business plan, implementing it. Because he first looks out the Sea, seeking new horizons, before building his vessel.

Yet, he knows that all things in life aren’t necessarily linear, even if they look harmonious. And if Order is the backbone of Communities, it’s the Naughty, the Irregulars, the Curious, the Adventurous that create challenges, take risks and pioneer. Those Greeks never hush; they just rest. They rest and save energy to lead their steps and boost them, while making their small or big (r)evolutions. They get ready, because they know how to last and how to fight. Because they choose their perfect moment, their timing; only them. Without central guidance or orders, without long-time preparation, without prior matching to any job description of a warrior in his every diachronic personal rebellious 1821, even today.

In 2013, the Greek Man is not what he used to be during the ‘80s, the ‘90s or the years 2000. He matured opposite an overqualified and at fault Political Changeover, Metapolitefsi : the end of the Post Military Junta era (from 1974 – to-date), which gave birth and enhanced political clientalism, bureaucracy, lack of meritocracy, lack of equality before the Law, and the actual economic crisis.

And today, mature, conscious, determined, he knows: to research before believing, to believe before deciding, to decide before supporting, to support before joining forces, to join forces before fighting, to fight before winning.

That’s the reason why the Greek Man does not unwisely follow leaders any more. He doesn’t have any no more, nor does he look for charismatic leaders. He doesn’t allow others to rule his life. He forms his opinion, he expresses himself, he bursts and when he reaches his limits, he crosses them, disregarding the superfluous, despising the mercenary; and continues on his transparent, just, simple way. Because he does not integrate himself in herds and flocks; they smear his personality, trim his freedom, hurt his beliefs, and abuse his trust.

Well, these are the reasons I stay and remain here, in Greece. Because it is here, where I can do my best to build for the better. Not from abroad, from far away, being safe, being critical, and being opinionated or charitable, while getting back only for summer holidays.

From here, from this piece of land, in the South-eastern Mediterranean, I will stand up for what I want and what we deserve.

From this peeble of sea and sun and Spirit and Mind and Creativity, I will punish whomever liable for this decadence, through my vote and my democratic responsibility, duty and right. I, among all Ellines, will stop this decadence of Ethics, Values, Virtues, and Rule of Law.

I will correct my own mistakes that may have also traumatised my Country.

We will start all over again, taking into permanent consideration Greece’s starting point in the Past and perspectives for the Present and the Future. And we’ll set its new goals: attainable, effective, measurable and ideal as possible.

Well, here, I stay, as I refuse to cede my Greece to the hands of others.

Here, I stay, in Greece, now, that it’s tough and difficult.

It’s not because I refuse to leave.

It’s only because I choose to stay.

Demina Masoula, PhD

Strategic Planning Consultant