Do you ever really just sit and pay attention to the lyrics of a song, or do you just listen to the tune and simply sing along? I do both. Every now and then, a song’s lyrics will really hit me hard.
And I get them. I totally get them.
So lately, I’ve been feeling rather pensive, to say the least. Turning 60 really smacked me upside the head. Not in a bad way. I guess you could say it really opened my eyes to things and life and people and…
so much stuff
It has me questioning my life, the people in my life, my existence, and what it means to not only me but to the people around me and the future.
What the hell is going on in the world? What’s wrong with people?
It has me wondering what any of this is all for. Am I on the right track? Am I just chasing rainbows and puppies now? I don’t know. I have no answers.
Only questions. So many questions.
This song
The other day I heard this song, and not even sure where I was or how it came across my path but one thing is certain, it hit me differently this time.
I felt the lyrics with every ounce of me.
We’re just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
What have we found?
The same old fears
Wish you were here
Look familiar to you?
The song is “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd 1975 from the album of the same name.
Now I get that this song is about Syd Barrett and his downward spiral thanx to drugs, but those lyrics.
So powerful.
“Did you exchange, a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?” This translates to — are you doing the things that you want to do?Are you doing the things that you believe in…”?
Are you?
PinThe album’s cover images were photographed by Aubrey “Po” Powell, Thorgerson’s partner at the design studio Hipgnosis, and inspired by the idea that people tend to conceal their true feelings, for fear of “getting burned”, and thus two businessmen were pictured shaking hands, one man on fire. Source: Wikipedia
People tend to conceal their true feelings.
Fear of getting burned.
How sad and true.
Fear of getting burned — conceal their true feelings
Guilty as charged. I’m really getting better at this, though. I’m using my voice more and more these days. A lot more than I ever have in my life.
I know not all of you conceal your true feelings. Kudos to those of you who found your voice and use it, often, exactly the way it’s meant to be used — for speaking the truth.
Kudos to all of you who stand up for what’s right for yourself and for others. Kudos to those of you who aren’t afraid of getting burned.
Why can’t we show our true feelings without fear? What are we so afraid of? If you speak your truth and someone doesn’t like it, that’s not your problem; that’s their problem.
But we make it our problem, and we sugarcoat everything so as not to upset the apple cart, hurt people’s feelings, or offend anyone.
Everything offends everyone today.
People are exhausting.
We’re all just winging it
But this song…I think it really hit me how true these lyrics are to us right now. All of us. You and me.
2 lost souls
We’re just winging it through life and hoping for the best outcome. Some of us try to actually control the outcome and/or plan ahead. None of this helps.
Oh, you can plan. I think it’s a good idea, but plan loosely. I mean, look what happened in 2020.
How did your plans go then? Did anyone predict that? Did anyone see that coming?? Anyone?
So, planning is good, but don’t put all your money into your plans. Don’t think just because you planned it, it will actually happen. 2020. Need I say more?
Be flexible. Be open-minded.
swimming in a fishbowl
Nothing worked for anyone. Well, except the government, I guess, but let’s not right now…
And here we are 4 years later, still desperately trying to recover from that, all the while worrying about tomorrow. Of course, no one knows what will happen tomorrow, but yet here we are, gripping the edge of our seats…waiting…
year after year
What will tomorrow bring? Life is risky. Jobs are unstable, as is the economy. No one knows.
To make a move or to not. Should we? Could we? Is it safe?
It’s best to stay put. Don’t make any sudden moves. Don’t risk your savings, your job, your stability. Just.stay.put.
running over the same old ground
Nothing changes. It’s too dangerous out there. Who can we trust? We’re being watched now. Everything we do is recorded. Somewhere, somehow, by something.
Don’t say anything. No one will believe you. They will call you crazy. Just be like them. Be like everyone else. Follow them. Don’t say a word.
You can ask questions, but you can’t believe the answers. Or can you? It’s hard to say. Who’s really telling the truth here anyway? Does anyone know for sure?
Stop following the leader.
what have we found
people tend to conceal their true feelings for fear of “getting burned”
So we walk around in a coma. And do what they say.
No one knows what will happen tomorrow. No one. Keep planning. I think it’s good to have hope and be optimistic. But don’t be surprised when another wall comes crashing down on us.
We’re scared. We’re fragile. And we’re on guard.
Life is unpredictable. All of it. In a flash, your entire world can flip upside down.
Sudden death, economic crash, another plague, another war…
the same old fears
This is no way to live
No way. At all.
…in a fishbowl, year after year, running over the same old ground….
Just stop. Please.
No one knows what tomorrow will bring. We can’t worry about tomorrow, and we can’t cling to the past.
Lao Tzu said it best:
“If you are depressed you are living in the past.
If you are anxious you are living in the future.
If you are at peace you are living in the present.”
If you live each day in fear, you are not living. You are here for something so much more. There is greatness in believing in your dreams and pursuing them, regardless of what people say or what the future may hold.
There is liberty in living for today and doing things that set your soul and heart on fire.
There is great joy and success, depending on what the latter looks like to you, in being you, dancing to the beat of your own dream, and not following the leader or living in fear.
There are no answers to any questions. Stop asking. We want answers because the unknown is too terrifying. Life is terrifying.
But it’s also beautiful and full of wonder and surprises, opportunities and blessings. Miracles and joy. Love and laughter.
Wish you were here.
