The is an installation of notes from Dunedin – individual little ‘broken’ stories

This is a little aside from my usual post but given free reign I would write about all of life – not just our health, happiness, food, design and relationships. In a parallel universe I live in South America with a family of visiting capybaras, so I say that anything is possible. But back to what actually happened yesterday…

This is a photo of a ‘broken’ man at the museum. (Just kidding – I don’t think he was broken at all)

I went to the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb – voted one of the most innovative museums in Europe. I thought it would be light and amusing and, of course, who could resist having a look? The museum has taken its exhibit around the world – to Dunedin in NZ, even.

Actually, it was quite sobering. Bittersweet was one of the comments. It covered everything from never-forgotten one day encounters to life-long devotion including loss through war, illness and of course dreaded misunderstanding and missed opportunity.  Also lies, cheating, duplicity and other wickedness. Oh yes, and unrequited love. Much more common than spoken of, I think.

People had kept mementoes of broken relationships and sent them into the museum along with the story they told. They weren’t all about romantic relationships but also of lost children, family and friends. All very sad.

I saw the odd tear being shed as men and women, read the tales behind the exhibits – everything  from a parachute sent in by a woman who fell in love with the man who took her on her first jump but who later died on a jump of his own, to a wedding dress from a woman whose fiancé was killed in a terrorist attack just before their wedding.

If you wanted to lose yourself to the moment this would be the place to do it.  I guess the term ‘broken’ gives it away.

The question is what to think at the end of such a visit?

My take is to never have any regrets. Never leave something unsaid that should be said. If you care, show it. If you need to repair some damage, do it. Ask to be forgiven if you know you ought to. Forgiveness is akin to healing. It works for the forgiver and for the forgiven. Never look back and say “I should have” if you can do something about it now.

If you are not happy, and feel you cannot be happy with the someone you are with, then leave so both they and you can find someone you can be happy with.

The thing is that if one person isn’t happy the other person cannot be either. Even if they think they are, that’s kind of delusional. The nature of a relationship is that it’s a two way thing.

And if a new person doesn’t don’t pop up anytime soon, be happy with yourself. Life is not just short but extremely precious so don’t waste time or opportunities.  Lastly, be kind – to yourself, and to others. Why wouldn’t we be nice to each other – we are very good at it when we choose to be.

This was not from the museum but could be bought outside. Who’d have thought that the mistletoe effect could be bottled?