SLOVENIA'S 5 CORE VALUES

But I need movement. So I choose my path anyway, I put on my headphones, I choose my music, you know - the one that lifts me up and puts a smile on my face. And I go. Rožnik is always a lovely place, a peaceful oasis of greenery in the middle of the Ljubljana fog, the eternal buzz and rush. As I walk along the path, I see a tree in front of me. That little fir tree that has been waiting so romantically for the snow to turn it, the only one decorated in the middle of the forest, into a fairy-tale princess. But today there is a box under it. HATS OF JOY, it reads.

I think to myself, "How incredibly beautiful! Really kind of the person who remembered and put a box like that under the tree." Tears come to my eyes as I approach. There is a little girl's signature on the box. Of course, this girl has parents. Great parents, I see. But isn't it interesting how children have this overwhelming love and giving of beautiful things (be it their heartfelt smiles, sincere words or boxes like this) without any desire or expectation of getting anything in return. "People really need joy in their lives - and above all the knowledge of how to see joy in the little things," I think to myself and continue on my way.

A few years ago, I started a group on Viber where I send nice thoughts, positive encouragement or share my knowledge about various things. Just like that, without any particular goal. The aim is to brighten the days of those in the group and remind them of all the beautiful things that surround us.

And as I walk along, I think about how I will be able to write something nice again today. Something to do with joy, perhaps. Even though just before this tree, anger was still fluttering inside me. Anger because I don't feel seen, heard and appreciated. How my efforts are not rewarded properly. How I had been giving beyond myself all these years and all I got back was burnout. Complete physical lock down.

And with that in mind, I go forward. Reassured in a way (even if the injustice still warms me), but "now I can really give to myself too", I say to myself in my mind, proud of the journey I have made. But wait a minute! Do I really know how to give to myself?

As I went on thinking about how I would give to others, I almost forgot myself again. So I stop. I am not deterred by the questioning look of a passing gentleman who almost bumps into me because of my sudden stop. And I go back to the box. I know very well that whatever I give to others, I must first give to myself, but I often simply forget to do so.

And the box served me exactly what it was meant to. The message I took out of the box said: "Be kind in spite of someone else's meanness/shamelessness." Yes, it is true, injustices have happened and are happening. Today also started with me having to struggle once again with the feeling that my efforts are not being properly rewarded. I almost sank into feelings of anger and sadness, stuffed it all into a little box inside my heart and moved on. But this event, with its message, has made me think.

We often forget who we should be kind to in the first place. How can we expect moderation from others, be it in our use of online networks, our consumption of food, the amount of work we do, or whatever, if we are not even moderate in giving at least as much to others as we give to ourselves? Let alone in giving ourselves the same amount of good and not just bad and criticism. Many times we understand kindness only as something that we give to others.

Slovenians are happy to open the doors of their homes, there is always enough food and drink for everyone, and helping our neighbours is, I see in the city and in the countryside, still a cherished value. But how often are we really kind to ourselves? To our own feelings, wants and needs?

Everything we would give or give to others, we can give to ourselves. Not only is this kind to ourselves, it is also kind to others, because we can only pour from a full glass. By being kind to ourselves, all that fuels war, unrest and strife disappears. All that idleness, anger and repressed emotions. Then we don't really need external validation and proof, be it success, wealth, recognition or whatever is outside us.

Kindness to oneself brings inner peace. And once we have inner peace, it is impossible for anything to disrupt it and for peace and love to reign in the world.

Irena Makivić, 15. 2. 2025