A letter to my former self

Dear former self

When a rosy sunset kisses the begrudging
sky, I think about the burden you carry in
your
heart, oblivious of the time that lies
ahead.

Before you learn what candour really is,
you
must look deep into the eyes of the
world. You
must let go of preconceived
notions and be
open to reality that longs
to elucidate.

Your life is yours alone don’t let darkness
dictate to which you otherwise wouldn’t
submit, before you discover what valour
really
is you must plunge into the depths
of desolation
like a swirling leaf floating
calmly on water.

Sometimes when you will wonder how
things could be, remember that the best
interruptions take place in the middle
of one’s journey. You must learn to live
in the moment and restrain from worry-
ing too much about the future.

In life the hardest step we take is one which
leads to loving ourselves. I can picture you
through your
forlorn eyes and hope that one
day you’ll understand
that everything that
happens in life ultimately shapes
us into the
person we are meant to be.

Yours truly ~

 

Photo credits: Jolygram

Also linking to Leo & Reema’s WednesdayVerses

Posted On ‘Dear Poems’ Challenge @ Real Toads

& Posted on the ‘Poetry Pantry’ @ Poets United

62 thoughts on “A letter to my former self

  1. Manicddaily says:

    All very true but hard to follow! Thanks for the inspiration, Sanaa, and for participating in the prompt. All the best, k.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Karin πŸ™‚ so good to see you ❀️

      (and thank you for the lovely prompt)

  2. Jim says:

    In times like this we all might put our feelings and plans for recovery on paper. Write it down and carry it with us to use as encouragement at times we are down. I’m wondering what the professionals take on this would be. Their guidance could be helpful.
    ..

    1. Sanaa says:

      Definitely πŸ™‚ thanks for stopping by, Jim ❀️

  3. gillena says:

    A look back for analysis of growth is always good.

    Nice write Sanaa

    Much🌼love

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Gillena πŸ™‚ so good to see you ❀️

  4. I wonder how your former self would answer this inspirational letter, Sanaa! I especially love:
    ‘Before you learn what candour really is,
    you must look deep into the eyes of the
    world…’
    and
    ‘… remember that the best
    interruptions take place in the middle
    of one’s journey’.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Kim πŸ˜€ so glad you liked it ❀️

  5. What a great letter! Your present self has clearly learned much. Your former self, sadly, must have had to struggle and endure the challenging times without this wise advice. She made it anyway! (Or perhaps our mature, wise souls – or “Higher Selves” – are always within, guiding us.)

    1. Sanaa says:

      Aww gosh!❀️ Thank you so much, Rosemary πŸ˜€ so glad you liked it!❀️

      Yes our ‘Higher Selves’ are always within, guiding us along the way!

  6. kaykuala says:

    everything that
    happens in life ultimately shapes us into the person we are meant to be.

    Ultimately yes! One decides and influences one’s own destiny!

    Hank

    1. Sanaa says:

      Definitely πŸ™‚ thanks for stopping by, Hank ❀️

  7. kanzensakura says:

    A most inspirational letter to your future self. The last paragraph is wonderful.”In life the hardest step we take is one which leads to loving ourselves.” So very true.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Toni πŸ˜€ so glad you liked it ❀️

  8. There is a lot of life wisdom in this poem, especially the closing stanza.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Sherry πŸ˜€ so good to see you ❀️

  9. Reema Dsouza says:

    This is so true! But we often forget this. Loved the poem. Thanks for linking up with #WednesdayVerses πŸ™‚

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Reema πŸ˜€ so glad you liked it ❀️

  10. Bjorn says:

    It’s so hard to love yourself, and stop midstep and breathe, yet that’s the only thing that really works

    1. Sanaa says:

      Definitely πŸ™‚ thanks for stopping by, Bjorn ❀️

  11. That’s a lovely letter with a wonderful message. I loved the prose-like form of the poem and yet the rhythm and beats made it flow really well.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Sanch πŸ˜€ so glad you enjoyed it ❀️

  12. Thotpurge says:

    If only one could live through innocence with the hindsight of experience.. but that’s not how it works, is it!

    1. Sanaa says:

      Definitely πŸ™‚ thanks for stopping by, Rajani ❀️

  13. each stanza is a spoonful of tender advice – you have learned the lessons well since you can write without much regret or traces of bitterness

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Laura πŸ™‚ so glad you liked it ❀️

  14. Rommy says:

    I think many of us can relate to the feeling of wanting to reach back and hug our younger selves during some of the difficult times we have been through.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Definitely πŸ™‚ thanks for stopping by, Rommy ❀️

  15. Bits of your poem are a letter every one of us can use, when we were younger and now. Ills fed darkness is never a good foundation. That’s a message I wish was rooted deep in our DNA.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Magaly πŸ™‚ so glad you liked it ❀️

  16. gillena says:

    Happy Sunday Sanaa, thanks for dropping in at my Sunday Standard today

    much love…

    1. Sanaa says:

      Happy Sunday, Gillena πŸ™‚

      much love…

  17. Oh perfect letter to a younger self….how I wish i could go back and let her know these truly wise words!

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Donna πŸ˜€ so glad you liked it ❀️

  18. Magical Mystical Teacher says:

    The hardest step is always worth taking, isn’t it? πŸ˜‰

    1. Sanaa says:

      Definitely πŸ˜‰ thanks for stopping by, MMT ❀️

  19. Back from the Pantry for another read……i love those opening lines.

    1. Sanaa says:

      ❀️❀️❀️

  20. Julian says:

    Interesting from a psychological point of view, I would imagine. Still I did enjoy reading your piece.

    1. Sanaa says:

      ☺️

  21. A beautiful letter, Sanaa ! I am sure you must be very proud now with all the experiences and learnings of life.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Aww gosh!❀️ Thank you so much, Neeraj πŸ˜€ so glad you liked it!❀️

  22. Rall says:

    You cannot worry too much about the future.Everything is for a reason.You will be empowered to deal with everything that is thrown at you. Nice letter.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Rall πŸ™‚ so glad you liked it ❀️

  23. Anna :o] says:

    What a wonderful truth in your words.
    Live for the thrill of today, for it might be the last day we have.
    Help and love others – but yes, we must love ourselves first, not through vanity, but the glow we find in our hearts.
    Hurt no-one deliberately, but be big enough to say Sorry if you do so unintentionally.
    Anna :o]

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Anna πŸ˜€ for your kind and thoughtful comment ❀️

  24. Mary says:

    I really like this poem, Sanaa. So introspective and yet so forward-looking sometimes we really have to talk to ourselves seriously. This poem does just that! This one is a keeper.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Aww gosh!❀️ Thank you so much, Mary πŸ˜€ so glad you liked it!❀️

  25. It is tough to get real with one’s self at times, but to speak honesty, and hope to the spirit within is truly a blessing.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Definitely πŸ™‚ thanks for stopping by, Susie ❀️

  26. Wendy Bourke says:

    A stunning piece of writing , with a wise, and tenderly penned, close.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Wendy πŸ˜€ so glad you enjoyed it ❀️

  27. ZQ says:

    That was a great piece with encouragement!
    I have been sitting down and talking to the old bird (myself) : )
    ZQ

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, ZQ πŸ˜€ so good to see you ❀️

  28. Susan says:

    Wow!
    “. . . remember that the best
    interruptions take place in the middle
    of one’s journey.”
    I’ve written 2 letters to myself lately, like you, trying to remember what I know as I “Journey Toward Wholeness.”

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Susan πŸ˜€ so glad you liked it ❀️

  29. Vivian Zems says:

    The hardest step is definitely one to start loving ourselves. A beautiful write.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Vivian πŸ™‚ so good to see you ❀️

  30. The best interruptions, indeed. I love the signature, Yours Truly.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Colleen πŸ˜€ so glad you liked it ❀️

  31. dsnake1 says:

    what an interesting letter to your former self. so much truth in those words. one of my favourites from your writings. πŸ™‚

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Cheong πŸ˜€ so glad you enjoyed it ❀️

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