Imagine standing on the ramparts of the ancient city of Mdina, looking out over the rolling hills and the sparkling sea. You’re surrounded by history, a testament to Malta’s resilience in the face of adversity. Now, fast forward to today. We’re no longer under siege, but we face new challenges. And while comfort and greed may tempt us, it’s resilience that’s kept us going. But do we see it? Let’s look our past and present to understand our blind spot.

In 1565, the Ottoman Empire laid siege to Malta. For four months, the Knights of St. John and Maltese soldiers held out against overwhelming odds. They rationed food, shared hardships, and ultimately, they won. This resilience is etched into our national identity. Yet, we often overlook it in our daily lives, preferring comfort and ease.

Take a walk down Republic Street in Valletta. The grand palaces and churches remind us of our history. But do we remember the resilience that built them? Or do we see only the comfort they offer today?

Look around Malta today. We see two sides: one of comfort and ease, the other of resilience. On one hand, we have the luxury apartments in Tigne Point, the bustling cafes in Sliema. On the other, we have the hardworking immigrants who keep our economy running, the families struggling to make ends meet.

In the midst of this, we face new challenges. Climate change threatens our coasts, our economy relies heavily on tourism, and our infrastructure struggles to keep up with growth. Yet, we often focus on the comforts of life, overlooking the resilience we need to tackle these issues.

We need to recognize our resilience, not just as a historical fact, but as a living force. We need to see it in the small acts of kindness, in the community initiatives, in the entrepreneurs who innovate despite challenges. We need to see it in ourselves, in our ability to adapt, to overcome, to keep going.

Let’s not let comfort and greed blind us to our strength. Let’s embrace our resilience, learn from our past, and build a future that’s not just comfortable, but also strong and sustainable.

As the Maltese proverb goes, “Il-baħar jħallik, u jħallik” – The sea will calm down, and it will calm down. It’s a reminder that storms pass, and we, like the sea, are resilient.