Estonian president encourages people to see better side of life

27.12.2007

TALLINN, Dec 27, BNS - Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves in his Christmas message on Monday called on the people to take care of others and encouraged them to see the better part of life.

"Peacefulness of the Christmas season should remind us of the meaning of taking care," the president said in his Christmas message that was read out in St Mary-Magdalene's of Rapla on Christmas Eve. "Take care of yourself. Take care of your next of kin and colleagues. Take care of your country. I am not speaking about taking care in the selfish but in the considerate key."

Ilves said that if we are able to take care of ourselves, our next of kin and of our state we will take care of everyone and everything around us.

He added that people will then not work themselves sick or lend themselves broke and they will have time for their families and lifelong education.

The president said we would then notice our loved ones' concerns and when our older relatives are falling into solitude.

"We will not race ourselves or our peers to death or cripple them in the roads," Ilves said. "We will not complain that life in Estonia has this or that in store for us and feel happy about our own state."

The head of state said that winter days are short and often dusky in Estonia.

"I encourage you to notice the better part of life, encourage you to look for hope and to be optimistic," he added. "I encourage you to be proud about yourselves and of your country. And you will see how spring comes faster."

Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8861, sise@bns.ee