Lying in bed before sleep one night recently, a series of unexpected images flashed through my mind’s eye. These images were of me together with romantic partners who are no longer a part of my life.
Earlier in the day I’d been feeling some sadness about relationships that have come and gone and some that didn’t end in the happiest of ways.
But as I was lying in bed and these images flashed through my mind, there was no sadness there at all. That’s because, in fact, these images were not really images, but more like windows into other realities that were happening simultaneously to this one.
I felt myself as clear as day sitting in different countries, in different places, with different people I’d been in relationship with and I knew without doubt that none of these relationships had ever been lost and that somehow, in some way, I was still in all those places with all those people. My whole being was at peace.
We are so used to thinking of time as a linear concept that moves from the past to the present to the future. Viewed through this lens, it’s inevitable that we look upon certain times from our past with sadness or regret.
But my experience the other night reminded me that time isn’t what it appears to be and though it is hard for the mind to conceive or accept, what we think of as being over and in the past may not be over or in the past at all.
What we think we have lost is never truly lost. It’s going on, as it has always been going on, in a dimension just not quite visible to us in this moment. Not being able to see something doesn’t mean it’s not there.
Love and courage,
Leah
Yes I had problems leaving messages in the past.
Lovely post, and it reminded me of my favourite book of last year, Matt Haig’s “the Midnight Library “ , have you read it.
Made delicious bread today.
Put up a fence yesterday ( long story) the main message is how strong boundaries make me feel safer; emotional and physical ones, which in the past have often been rather shakey.
Wishing you a peaceful weekend.
Love from Francesca x
I haven’t read that book but have just read the synopsis and it sounds wonderful – I will see if I can order it from the library. Thank you for the recommendation! I find baking bread so relaxing. I hope yours was delicious. I love to think of you/imagine you at work in your garden. Wishing you a peaceful weekend too Francesca. And thank you for letting me know about the sometimes problem of leaving a comment – I’m not sure yet why that’s happening for some people. xx
This is actually the plot of one of my favourite films, which I watched again last week. It’s called Mr Nobody (2009) and its central theme is that time is not what we think it is. It also explores what might happen when we make different choices in relationships. In the film I think about 4 relationships run in parallel universes/dimensions simultaneously for the central character Nemo and we get to see how they play out. When asked at the apparent end of his life, which one was best? He replies "They all were". The universal intelligence clearly wants me to take this principal to heart as you are now echoing it. It also deals with "what would it be like if you could see the future?", another issue I have had to contend with recently!
Anyway it really is worth tracking this film down, it has a Belgian writer/director but is filmed in English. Every aspect of the film I am in awe about, casting, script, colours, music…it really is a piece of art of the highest order.
I have seen that film Mike, though a long time ago! I remember it being very good. I love the question he was asked at the end of his life and his reply. Films can be so good at exploring these deep questions about life and what it is to be human. No doubt now that you’ve mentioned it this film will pop up shortly in my world!
I find that message very comforting, thank you x
Oh, I’m so glad, thank you Symon. Sending you lots of love and hoping you’re well. xx