Crisis

In English, this word can evoke some pretty negative feelings and emotions. Crisis, is something to avoid, something to move away from. A few years ago, and I still don't actually know who it was that gave me this little print out quote from JFK - but I was in the midst of a personal crisis and I've kept it near ever since, occasionally pondering on it. The same quote has arisen in this month's Book Club read "I eat the stars" by Sarah Wilson* so it feels apt to gather around this topic for October.

I'm a bit of a word geek...and particularly enjoy the Greek language. I've always wanted to be more of an actual linguist, but alas, find myself pondering on some of the words we have in English, a little unsatisfied by their lack of depth.

Our English word "crisis" is derived from the Greek word "krisis" which means "to decide". And when partnered by the Chinese characters that compose the word crisis - a whole new depth is gifted to us.

Will crisis evoke danger, or, opportunity?

Here's some questions to ponder as you gather around Fika this month:

• What are some of the crises that you can remember in your lifetime so far, or that you were told about by parents/grandparents? Or, have you had any crises in the workplace?

• When is crisis dangerous?

• In what context do you believe crisis to be an opportunity?

*There's a monthly and virtual book club that gathers on the last Wednesday - check it out here.