“Everybody’s looking for that something, one thing that makes it all complete. You’ll find it in the strangest places, places you never knew it could be. Some find it in the faces of their children, some find it in their lover’s eyes. Who can deny the joy it brings when you find that special thing? You’re flying without wings.” All people are born with a need for purpose and for meaning to our lives. We all want to feel like our life means something in the big scheme of things, and we want to find that one thing in life that connects us to the Universe, to ourselves, and to the rest of the world in some meaningful way. And it can be quite surprising where we find our meaning, especially when society tells us that our meaning is in material things or power/status. As the artist says, it may be in our children or in our significant other, but there’s no denying those purpose-giving things when we find them.
“Some find it sharing every morning, some in their solitary lives. You find it in the works of others – a simple line could make you laugh or cry. You find it in the deepest friendships, the kind you cherish all your life. And when you know how much that means, you’ve found that special thing. You’re flying without wings.” You may be an introvert or an extrovert, but whoever you are, you can find meaning in being and operating according to your authentic self. Music and art are other beautiful ways of finding meaning in life, because art can often speak where words cannot. And friendships… well, those can definitely be divine experiences that bring life and growth to you when you are fully invested and willing to work and be present in them.
“So impossible as they may seem, you’ve got to fight for every dream, cuz who’s to know which one you let go would have made you complete.” Our lives are rarely a monolith of experience and even focus. We tend to have several dreams, or if we have one dream, it has multiple facets. This artist encourages us to explore those different avenues, passions, and blessings, because we never know how each will affect us and what will enhance our lives in what way. Even things that seem impossible at one point of life may be fuel for another part of our lives, so it’s best to at least keep all these things in the back of our minds, even if they don’t manifest themselves for years.
“But for me, it’s waking up beside you to watch the sunrise on your face, to know that I can say ‘I love you’ at any given time or place. It’s the little things that only I know – those are the things that make you mine, all mine. And it’s the flying without wings, cuz you’re my special thing, I’m flying without wings. You’re the place my life begins, and you’ll be where it ends. I’m flying without wings, and that’s the joy it brings. I’m flying without wings.” For the artist, he has found his place of flight in relationship with a significant other. The intimacy and space of their love is what makes his life more than an existence. The things they share, their open expression, the closeness… these are what allow him to fly. [Now, I could say something about the fact that not everyone is allowed free expression for those they love, but I will save that for another entry at another time.]
But wait… What does it really mean to fly without wings? I think about birds who are born with wings. It is clear, based on the design of their bodies that they are meant to be in the air. Why have wings if you are not going to fly? Now, there are exceptions to the rule, like penguins (whose wings are for swimming – flying in the water) or chickens (whose wings make great food for bars), but for the most part, animals with wings fly. Similarly, airplanes are built with wings, because people understand that wings tend to be necessary to fly. Flight in our song today is less about traveling through the sky and more about the feeling of flying – soaring above the issues of the earth and feeling free in our exploration of life. While the majority of people spend their lives walking around and occasionally jumping to feel the wind beneath them, those who embrace what Love has to offer can be set free from gravity’s pull and learn to fly without the benefit of traditional wings.
Seek to find that which sets you free, be it a passion, a dream, a hobby, relationships, etc, and allow Love to bring your purpose out of you. This will give you wings, and you will be able to see life in a brand new way.
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