Last time I said I might write about renewal and letting go — having thought about several topics to share with you today I have ended up in the place where I ended last week, but through a different angle. 

Have you seen the video for the song 'All my love' by Chris Martin and Dick van Dyke? It was filmed a couple of months ago (October 2024), Dick is 99 years old and is dancing lightly, singing joyfully, and it seems is fully aware of his mortality and the fullness of his life — the New York Times describes it as a 'meditation on aging, family, and love' which is pretty accurate in my view. 

Video and image copyright Atlantic Records

It is a special video due to its heartfelt lyrics and emotional depth. The song beautifully expresses themes of love and longing, capturing raw, personal emotions you may relate to as a reflection on life— and in my opinion is one of the most beautiful spaces I have seen in a long time. Chris's distinctive vocal style adds an additional layer of sincerity and vulnerability to some fairly poignant lyrics. The overall composition creates an intimate atmosphere that draws viewers in, making it a memorable and impactful piece where the you can reflect on life, love, success, challenge, and what happens when we find a few minutes to pause and create space in our life. 

Below are some areas that I reflected on as a result of watching the video and listening to the song lyrics several times this week:

Opening Up Emotionally:

On the Personal Front: Ever notice how powerful it is to be vulnerable? Sharing your true feelings can really deepen those personal connections and bring a refreshing dose of authenticity to your life.

In the Workplace: Being emotionally intelligent  and aware can boost your communication style making interactions way more empathetic and effective.

Pour Passion into Life:

Personally: Make time for passions that light you up! Whether it’s music, painting, or reading, these joys enrich your life like nothing else — watching Dick move gently with real joy makes me wonder what more might I do lightly, with ease and flow for relaxation... I offer you the same question.

Professionally: How ca you find ways to align your work a little more deeply with what you truly value. When you bring passion to your career, you’re setting yourself up for genuine satisfaction— where is that opportunity being missed?

Healing Resilience is Key:

At Home: Leverage the healing power of sound and art when life gets tough. They offer comfort and can shift your perspective — whatever you listen to whether it is the sound of the sea, rain, music, choirs... it all offers a moment of peace and solice.

On the Job: Embrace challenges as stepping stones—not roadblocks. Each one is a chance to learn and grow. Not always easy to do — reflecting back is far easier than living it in the moment, we know that and sometimes forget!

Keeping it Real:

With Friends and Family: Honest communication is the bedrock of trust. It strengthens bonds and helps your relationships flourish — this might be tough during the festive season so be aware of your own boundaries and where you need to take care of yourself.

At Work: Being transparent and clear builds credibility, creating a more open and collaborative professional environment — how can you be more authentic at work? 

Reflect, Reflect, Reflect:

For Yourself: Regular self-reflection time helps you understand your emotions and reactions, leading to greater self-awareness and growth. Do you have a reflective practice? 

Professionally Speaking: Take a step back now and then review your progress and tweak your goals and aspirations as needed.

Hopefully, these reflections give you some thoughts on how you might bring more aspects of 'all my love' into your life. I know I have given you a lot of ideas above, and you may have something completely different that emerged for you.... watch it again and jot down 1,2 or 3 insights that you gained as a result of watching it.  

And I send you 'all my love'

Have a great week,

Saiyyidah