being kind to ourselves

[jjabc]

We spend alot of time talking about the importance of being kind to ourselves and doing things for ourselves. I have been researching stuff for recovery and found this poem that seems to go right along with this. I hope it is O.K to post this as it isn't CAL approved but it isn't a book. If it's not O.K. please feel free to delete and you won't hurt my feelings.
Love After Love
by Derek Walcott
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 your self.
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

[daughter9moons]

It is a beautiful poem though. Thank you.

[river rock]

very nice Jay, thanks for posting it. and
you are working overtime on you !
Looking good !
Love you River rock

[Mettamomma]

Thank you for posting that lovely poem.

[Cheryl]

Thank you Jay for posting this beautiful poem .... I think it captures the feeling of what we get back in recovery.

Cheryl

[joanng]

Jay

That is a beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing it with us.

joanng

[carpediem]

Wow! Love this!!! Thanks for posting this! Sit, Feast on your life...what an invitation.

[callieco]

Jay, Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem! "peel your own image from the mirror...feast on your life" Wow!

[kathyf]

I loved your poem, Jay.

Thanks for sharing it...it's a keeper.

Love,
Kathy

[cyndyava]

Love this, Jay!

Another one for the recovery journal! Thank you so much! Copying it right now!

[Gk61]

How beautiful and yet so basic to who we are (or should be). Thank you for sharing this inspiring poem.