There are thousands of thoughts in our minds that are eager to “come to life.” Among them ideas, visions, goals, intangible concepts are waiting to be accomplished. Waiting… what are they waiting for? Or rather who? Nurtured by us, clearly we are who they’re waiting for. It may seem easy to set a goal for yourself, but now you need to modify your actions in order to achieve it. Answering the question of “what do I want to achieve?”, “how will I get there?” arises.
From the conception of an idea to the ultimate goal’s completion, a journey mediates in which techne, (the Greek rendering for the word “art”) will be a useful supply. Upon hearing this term, a correlation with the Fine Arts associatively emerges in our minds. However, this is a multidimensional concept, and at TEDxAUTH, we concentrate mainly on viewing it as a technical dexterity. Technique is the ensemble of knowledge and methods of practicing an art, a profession, a science. Dexterity symbolizes the individual’s ability to utilize their technical knowledge and spiritual abilities in order to achieve their goal. Essentially, art (techne) is the human activity based on certain knowledge and experiences with the aim of realizing a work, signaling the whole process leading to it.
Art (techne) is the time you dedicate to engaging and systematically practicing on a project, it is that toil and endless effort. In fact, it is a dynamic process, a tumultuous journey to a personal goal. Through this path to success you already conquer the most important things, you reinforce your skills, you strengthen your character, you test your limits and endurance. The path itself constitutes a process of self-discovery, gaining self-knowledge and ultimately, self-realization. It contributes to a higher purpose that goes beyond the completion of a goal or the acquisition of material goods and comforts, eventually leading to excellence, the sense of completeness, inner balance and plenitude.
As important as the find of a higher spiritual cause and its fulfillment may seem, the course in between is equally important, as it demands will, effort and persistence. We will face challenges, perhaps failures and disappointments. However, the only saboteur in this journey is ourselves. Our personal demons, fruits of our fears, are fed with problems we ourselves create, while in reality they do not exist. To defeat them we need to keep our spirit open and under control. We must fight and overcome adversity by constantly fighting and seeking our personal, continuous development.
“Hope that your road is a long one” writes Cavafy in his poem “Ithaca”, referring to the attitude we must keep as travelers. We ought to seek to deal with unprecedented situations, as they can offer us experiences of great value, upgrading the quality of the trip. And if we are overwhelmed by the fear that we may never reach our Ithaca, let us remind ourselves that success should not be an end itself, but our ultimate goal should be combined with our personal development, with our rebirth. The terminal is the motivation, the reason to begin searching, but at the same time gaining supplies and life lessons along the way.
So let us not wear blinders looking only at the port of the destination but let us also observe the sea around us. Let us not hesitate to take the first step, to risk, to make an effort. Let us cast off to our goal even if we are aware of the obstacles we will encounter, even if we need to move in uncharted waters, because in the end we will only come out as winners through our experiences. And if after all these we reach our end, who knows what new feelings will overwhelm us…
Photography by Theoni Gesiou
