UKRAINE : 1st January, 2024 thought….
Iryna Kopanytsia
War is the most terrifying thing that has happened to me in my life.
I used to be irritated by the excessive attention to war anniversaries during childhood, witnessing the tremor in the eyes of great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers. I thought it was time to forget and focus on the present and future.
However, today I realize I will never forget the early days of the war, the first explosions, calls, and correspondence with friends and family. Each time those scenes come to mind, tears, fear, shock, helplessness, and loss overwhelm me.
I never considered myself a patriot, having lived for long periods in various countries and cities like Singapore, Japan, Milan, Monaco, London, Dubai, and childhood in Moscow and Belgorod.
Not to mention numerous work trips from China to Istanbul, Brussels, and Washington, and travels around the world.
But on that very first day, something switched in me, and for the first 4 or 5 months, I operated like a robot, driven by the sole focus on results.
It was regrettable to spend an additional 5 minutes on eating. Consequently, I consumed my meals once a day around 1-2 am and slept for 2-3 hours.
I aimed to maximize effectiveness, leveraging all the contacts and connections accumulated throughout my life to provide utmost assistance in saving lives, coordinating humanitarian aid, establishing connections on the ground, and utilizing various contacts for military, cyber, and media support.
A 1000% focus exclusively on results emerged.
“I never considered myself a patriot, having lived for long periods in various countries and cities like Singapore, Japan, Milan, Monaco, London, Dubai, and childhood in Moscow and Belgorod. Not to mention numerous work trips from China to Istanbul, Brussels, and Washington, and travels around the world. But, on that very first day, something switched in me, and for the first 4 or 5 months, I operated like a robot, driven by the sole focus on results.”
At times, I exhibited excessive harshness, frequently being rude, assertive, and engaging in arguments with people.
I remained indifferent then. In essence, I still don’t believe it was wrong. Many needed a shake-up and a little awakening.
The organism, body, and brain have adapted to operate in an entirely different mode—beyond speed, beyond concentration, beyond focus.
AGAIN: 1-st January thought…
Insights over the past two years during the war:
– There are no unreachable people; anyone can be found and reached.
– No problems are unsolvable; it’s a matter of creativity.
– Action is a much more winning strategy than prolonged contemplation.
– War revealed and intensified all qualities in people, turning the good into magical beings and the bad into despicable ones, complete scum.
– There are a lot of absolutely amazing unique people in the world, but there are also a lot of hypocrites who disguise their good intentions under very specific benefits for them.
– It’s not always worth proving one’s truth; there’s a significant value gap between people globally, making communication challenging – 2/3 are aliens speaking other values.
– War removed all brakes and fears for me, providing speed, expanded thinking, and uncompromising rejection of ‘non-allies’, of different values, culture, and upbringing.
– You’ll never unravel all conspiracy theories, hidden currents, and intrigues—don’t waste time on that. Just know your truth and goal, and keep moving forward.
– I realized I don’t want to live just to exist: eat, sleep, poop; I want to implement my plans and ideas, being open to admit mistakes, adjusting strategies and plans. and move on, it’s not scary.
– We’ve all changed, perhaps becoming more cynical or callous, or maybe more vulnerable and gentle. War, along with accumulated life traumas, shocks, and losses, contributed to this transformation. it is as it is.
– In the initial months, the word ‘money’ was nonexistent; people worldwide pitched in with knowledge, advice, time, contacts, money, goods, and services.
– War introduced me to amazing people worldwide, so many big hearts, eroding faith in some and replacing it with absolute admiration for others.
– There’s no point in getting offended by anyone or anything. Keep moving towards your goals. If it’s truly your path, all the necessary people and circumstances will come your way.
– Don’t hold on to anything. nothing belongs to you.
– Sometimes, you need to have patience (which is the most challenging lesson for me) – everything has its own time. Some events or situations need to mature. Readiness is required not only on your part but also from society and your surroundings.
Thank the war for this challenge and opening for me such a lot of amazing human beings!
Iryna Kopanytsia , White Ribbon Ukraine/ USA
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