Recognizing the Need for Change: A Journey of Awareness

Recognizing that something needs to change is often more difficult than we might imagine. Humans have a natural inclination to prefer solutions that require the least effort, regardless of whether these choices might hinder personal growth.

It’s remarkable how willing we are to adapt to toxic situations and habits, as long as they satisfy our needs, even temporarily. Often, we focus solely on the outcome, without pausing to consider the path we take to achieve it. Yet, it is precisely that path that reflects the values upon which we base our lives and that set us apart from others.

Take, for instance, recent events in Naples: minor reasons sparked violent altercations among young people, tragically resulting in the deaths of some. Although it’s natural to feel anger and frustration, it’s concerning that these emotions manifest as violence, often seen as the only outlet for release.

These incidents largely stem from a lack of awareness of our emotional intelligence. Without analyzing our emotions, we can easily misinterpret stimuli from the world around us, leading us to respond in ways that would seem shocking even in the animal world.

The ability to understand and manage our emotions is what should differentiate us from other species. By better understanding our emotions, we can not only evolve individually but also accelerate the development of future generations, founded on an awareness of both the rational and irrational functions of the mind.

Many people believe that education is the foundation of human development and the progress of nations. However, this education must be accompanied by emotional education—not merely learning social behaviors, but understanding and managing emotional intelligence.

Reflecting on youth violence, it’s evident that, in many cases, the root cause is adults’ lack of guidance in teaching self-awareness and emotional understanding. Often, it is adults themselves who respond reactively to stimuli, preferring to eliminate the problem at its source rather than address the emotions it evokes. By doing so, they show their children that the only solution is to "remove" the impulse, avoiding a direct engagement with emotions.

But this is not a true solution, as emotions are always present in our brains, even when the external impulse is removed. Emotions should not be viewed as a weakness; on the contrary, we should learn to recognize them and use them as tools for growth and evolution.

As individuals, we have a responsibility to focus on our emotional capabilities and to help others understand the importance of values. Only in this way can we change outcomes and create new motivations that foster a virtuous cycle of continuous improvement.