Dialogue Between Dejan and Elena
They were sitting at a small table in a café garden, with a view of the magnificent Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica. The sun was slowly setting, and the golden reflection on the domes of the church created a magical atmosphere. On the table before them stood two cups of coffee, and the scent of fresh air and the sound of passing footsteps made their conversation even quieter and more intimate.
— You know, Elena, I think openness is the true measure of strength, — said Dejan, gently stirring his coffee. — Many people think that being strong means sticking to your opinion, not showing doubt, and building walls around yourself. But in reality, true strength lies in being open, having the courage to express your thoughts, but also to listen to others. To me, that seems like the key to success, both in business and in life.
Elena listened carefully, smiling as she gazed through the window, where people were passing by, enjoying their everyday lives.
— What you're saying is interesting, — she replied, placing her coffee cup on the table.
— I often think about how throughout history successful people managed to make a difference precisely because of their ability to be open. Take Nikola Tesla, for example. He wasn't just a scientist, but also a great visionary. Without openness to new ideas, to people and their different opinions, he wouldn't have been able to make all his discoveries. If he hadn’t been willing to accept others’ ideas, maybe his strength would have remained confined to his initial plans. But that’s what made him great.
Dejan nodded, recognizing something in her words that he had felt throughout his life.
— Yes, I agree, — he said. — Openness was key to everything I achieved in business. I’ve always believed that you should build bridges, not walls. There were moments in my career when people from different cultures and countries helped me understand things from a completely different perspective. Without that dialogue, I wouldn't have been able to make such good decisions. Being open means being willing to accept, to change, to grow.
Elena quietly sighed, recalling her years spent researching human destinies.
— I remember one wonderful example, — she began.
— My friend, a great entrepreneur from the past, always used to say: "People who are afraid to be open never mature. They are always trapped in their safely enclosed reality, while the world moves on." He was honest, open with everyone, and even when he made mistakes, he wasn't afraid to admit them. In the end, his honesty was what allowed him to recognize new opportunities and adapt to change. He was literally the strength of unity because he built bridges of trust.
Dejan looked at the church, then returned his gaze to Elena.
— And that’s real strength, isn’t it? I’ve always believed that strength doesn’t lie in keeping everything to yourself and retreating. Strength is in being willing to be vulnerable, to accept that you're not perfect, to be open to feedback, and to change. That’s what I’ve learned over the years, and it’s what has allowed me to build lasting relationships and friendships.
Elena nodded, feeling the weight of his words.
— I feel that too. Openness allows us to understand each other, to see all those hidden layers in people. And as you said, those bridges of trust, those sincere exchanges, they connect us to the world on a deeper level. Without that, we live in illusions and miss many opportunities.
Dejan smiled, knowing their thoughts were very similar, and that life hadn’t taken anything important from them. He and Elena hadn’t used grand words, but in the silence of this conversation, they had found great meaning.
— Openness, that’s freedom. That’s the true strength, which doesn’t depend on controlling others, but on the ability to accept yourself, without fear, in all your imperfections and beauty, — said Dejan.
— Yes, and in that acceptance, you grow, — Elena replied, her smile gentle, and her eyes full of peace.
At that moment, the sound of church bells interrupted the silence, as if the universe itself was confirming their words.
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