Reflection – Love After Love

by | Relationships

I’d love to share a poem with you, with the words below. This poem by Derek Walcott is read by Tom Hiddleston and the background music and images enhance the words. Through this poem we are reassured that all will be well in the end. 

 

 

Going through a breakup – of a marriage or a long-term relationship you need to focus on you, to become happy with the person you are. It’s a way of healing. And this is what I did. It was important for me to learn to love me; to be happy with who I am before I could contemplate a relationship with someone new.

I’d love to share a poem with you, with the words below. This poem by Derek Walcott is read by Tom Hiddleston and the background music and images enhance the words. Through this poem we are reassured that all will be well in the end. The time will come when, with elation you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror and each will smile at the other’s welcome,

and say, sit here. Eat. You will love again the stranger who was yourself. Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored for another, who knows you by heart. Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

the photographs, the desperate notes, peel your own image from the mirror. Sit. Feast on your life.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

“You will love again the stranger who was your self.”

Going through a breakup – of a marriage or a long term relationship you need to focus on you, to become happy with the person you are. It’s a way of healing. And this is what I did. It was important for me to learn to love me; to be happy with who I am before I could contemplate a relationship with someone new.

I’d love to share a poem with you, with the words below. This poem by Derek Walcott is read by Tom Hiddleston and the background music and images enhance the words. Through this poem we are reassured that all will be well in the end. 

 

 

Going through a breakup – of a marriage or a long-term relationship you need to focus on you, to become happy with the person you are. It’s a way of healing. And this is what I did. It was important for me to learn to love me; to be happy with who I am before I could contemplate a relationship with someone new.

I’d love to share a poem with you, with the words below. This poem by Derek Walcott is read by Tom Hiddleston and the background music and images enhance the words. Through this poem we are reassured that all will be well in the end. The time will come when, with elation you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror and each will smile at the other’s welcome,

and say, sit here. Eat. You will love again the stranger who was yourself. Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored for another, who knows you by heart. Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

the photographs, the desperate notes, peel your own image from the mirror. Sit. Feast on your life.

Related Posts
Longer Term

How to Care for Your Elderly Parents on a Busy Schedule

Caring for elderly parents is a noble and often challenging responsibility, especially when balancing a busy schedule. Whether you're managing...
Read More
Longer Term

Adapting Your Home to Meet the Needs of Aging Loved Ones

Adapting your home to meet the needs of aging loved ones is essential for ensuring their comfort, safety, and independence....
Read More
Longer Term

The Importance of Creating Lasting Memories

Creating lasting memories with loved ones is one of the most cherished aspects of life. We often find ourselves reminiscing...
Read More
Longer Term

Planning a Memorable Farewell: A Guide to Arranging a Funeral

Arranging a funeral is an emotional and often overwhelming process. It requires careful planning and consideration to ensure that the...
Read More
Retirement

Tick it Off Your Bucket List

As we get older, it's essential to start thinking about the future and getting our affairs in order. This isn't...
Read More
Retirement

3 Ways To Improve Your Quality of Life After Retirement

Image credit Retirement, a phase of life that can be a welcome change for those who have worked their entire...
Read More
Retirement

3 Retirement Tips To Live Your Best Life

Retirement should be something everyone looks forward to. It’s where you can sit back and do what you want without...
Read More
Positive Ageing

Don’t Let These 6 Things Stop You Living Your Best Life as You get Older

Aging: it’s not for the faint-hearted, but let’s be honest, the alternative is worse. As the years tick by, it's...
Read More
Turning 60

20 benefits to getting older

Reduced fear of failure: With age, we often become more resilient and less afraid of taking risks or trying new...
Read More
Self-Understanding

We should act from compassion

There is something about spending time with Buddhist teachers; they radiate calmness and happiness.  I always feel more at peace....
Read More
Money Retirement

Getting your state pension

Early May, about 4 months before I reach my 66th birthday I received a letter, inviting me to claim for...
Read More
Inspiration Retirement Self-Understanding

Letting go ….

Do we need all our possessions? When we travel – do we travel light? We spend a lifetime collecting possessions....
Read More
Elderhood Longer Term

Life at 80 – how AI will change our future

Let's imagine my future. In less than 15 years I'll be 80! Introduction In the year 2038, as you turn...
Read More
Health & Wellbeing

Improving Health Span: The Key to a Long and Healthy Life

As I review the health chapter of my forthcoming book, I was reminded about the difference between health span and...
Read More
Retirement

The Mental Health Benefits of Working Beyond Retirement Age

Retirement is often associated with a well-deserved break from work and a chance to enjoy leisure time. However, research suggests...
Read More
Positive Ageing

Positive Ageing

Positive ageing is “the process of maintaining a positive attitude, feeling good about yourself, keeping fit and healthy, and engaging...
Read More
Retirement Self-Understanding

What is a meaningful life?

A meaningful life can be defined as a life that has a sense of purpose, fulfilment, and significance. It is...
Read More
Elderhood Retirement

On turning 90

My mum has recently turned 90, she is now old-old. She is still living independently with the help of carers...
Read More
Ageism Health & Wellbeing Retirement

Stay engaged and involved to increase your well-being

Research from the Sloan Centre on Aging & Work at Boston College has found that when older adults are actively engaged in...
Read More
Retirement

Do we need to stay working to maintain strong mental health?

I regularly read academic papers to ensure there is an evidence base to the work I do with my clients...
Read More

Let’s start to get to know each other.

I’d love to send you a series of articles to get you thinking of your wider life. You will also receive my mid-week 50+ update and the Amazing People newsletter.
Denise Taylor

Chief Inspiration Officer, The 50 Plus Coach.