Kairos (καιρός) — An ancient Greek word meaning “the right moment,” “an opportunity,” or “a fitting time.” It describes a moment when the circumstances make a particular action timely. In the familiar distinction, chronos tells how much time has passed, while kairos tells when the moment is right to act. For example, a survivor may have spent months in a support group before noticing that its conversations keep drawing them back to anger. The moment they see the pattern clearly and can act on it is their kairos for changing direction.

Added November 12, 2026