By: Edvard Kadič
A few days ago, I wrote a text, an analogy about the current events in Slovenia. I used a saying that I had heard many times from my grandmother, which goes: “If a piece of bread falls on the floor, pick it up and kiss it.” Surprisingly, this saying received a lot of positive comments, with people reminiscing about how their grandparents used to teach them similar values. The common theme in the comments was that this used to be a lesson we were taught in the past, but nowadays, it seems to be mostly forgotten or considered outdated, at best.
Proverbs and sayings are a part of our culture. They contain life wisdom that is passed down from generation to generation. The saying “If the bread falls to the ground, pick it up, and kiss it” surely originated in times when food was much more valued than it is today. I do not mean just more expensive, but overall, more appreciated. A proper attitude towards food also represented a respectful attitude towards life itself – humility, care, and valuing what you have. Similarly, it also reflects the attitude towards work and the humility towards the gifts that life provides us with or the opportunities we can reach through our own efforts and hard work. It seems to me that this saying is closely related to another one: “No gain without pain”. This saying also seems to be losing its relevance. Nowadays, many people conceive their rights differently, not necessarily something that requires fulfilling one’s obligations.
Some time ago, we could hear public discussions, and even a law was passed, stating that all school meals and lunches for children will be free in the near future. Naturally, I think this is a great idea. In a society of abundance, where we live, it should not be acceptable for any child to go hungry. However, despite the joy and support for the proposals to finally take fair care of all children (which is already the case, but that is not the subject of this piece), we cannot ignore the various calls to handle this carefully. The attitude towards food, especially the data on the amounts of wasted food in schools, kindergartens, shops, etc., is truly shocking. Could it be that the problem with children in the school environment lies in the lack of awareness regarding food and not the actual lack of food itself? Why is the aforementioned saying about bread, for example, not instilled in today’s children’s minds anymore? Naturally, and not as some kind of imposition. Perhaps parents believe that the saying only concerns the attitude towards food…
Indeed, this saying can be understood in a much broader sense. One way is to learn from it the acceptance of imperfections and slip-ups in life. The bread that falls to the ground can represent our mistakes, failures, and challenges that we encounter. Instead of obsessing over the situation, spending days and days pondering the unfortunate event, and seeing only those who judge us, we should embrace mistakes as a natural part of life and an inherent part of the learning process. “Pick it up and kiss it” then symbolises our ability to pick ourselves up and not be defeated. Rather than excessively dwelling on our mistakes, we must learn to draw important lessons from them and immediately ask ourselves what we can learn from the situation. We must learn to “kiss” the lessons or mistakes. Embracing mistakes allows us to grow, develop, and strengthens us for future challenges. Furthermore, this saying also teaches us about the importance of perseverance and optimism in life. The moment the bread falls to the ground can be interpreted as a situation where we are faced with disappointment or failure. However, the saying encourages us not to surrender to melancholy at the first obstacle. With persistence, willpower, and optimism, we can overcome all obstacles and achieve our goals. It reminds us that it is essential to have courage and trust in ourselves even in difficult times.
The saying can also be understood as a reminder to appreciate the simple things in life, which is often overlooked in our information-technology complex world where we tend to take simple things for granted. The bread, symbolising basic sustenance, can represent the everyday simple things. With the words “When the bread falls to the ground”, the proverb encourages us to take the time to recognise the value of these simple things. The next step, “pick it up and kiss it”, reminds us to take a moment or two and express gratitude for food, health, shelter, family, and friends. Recognising and cherishing the simple things can trigger a sense of gratitude for who we are. This can greatly help us find inner peace and contentment despite the challenges we may face in life.
The saying “If the bread falls to the ground, pick it up, and kiss it” has numerous meanings and lessons that we can apply in our everyday life. It teaches us about our relationship with food, the environment, ourselves, accepting mistakes, appreciating simple things, as well as perseverance and optimism. Embracing these lessons can help us strengthen our inner power, improve relationships with others, and live a more fulfilling and satisfying life.
It is essential to be aware that we are all human, and mistakes are not failures but opportunities for learning. If we find ourselves in difficult moments, the saying encourages us not to give up but to rise and continue our journey. It offers wisdom that can help us face challenges and build a more fulfilling life. However, it also naturally requires effort from us to share this wisdom with others in an increasingly isolated and self-contained world.