Gold

I would like to caveat my posting by saying I have no idea about the author's intent in writing this song. This is just the poor interpretation my brain conjures up when I hear the melody or read the lyrics. This beautiful song was first introduced to me by a very special friend who said it reminded him of me. Initially, this song resonated with me as an example of how he may view me in his life (he wouldn't trade the happiness we've shared for gold) and it was very flattering. However, after a few listens, I felt a deeper connection with the lyrics as they pertained to my relationship with and perception of myself--leaving a long term, somewhat unhealthy relationship that made me unhappy. As I return to my default life view, I have learned to love myself and appreciate the special something inside me that makes me unique. This is truly where my friend has always directed me, making the song infinitely more special to me because it felt like such a selfless gift of encouragement and understanding. So... when I hear this song, I feel it is an invitation to embrace my newfound freedom and begin to love and embrace my own soul again-- what makes me unique-- and to treasure that more than others' perceptions, taking my happiness where I can find it.

And I love her so, I wouldn't trade her for gold I have learned to love myself and never trade any outward accoutrement for what makes me uniquely me. I will never again stay in a relationship because of comfort-- whether physical luxury, economic security, fear, but especially not for anything material.

Walking on moonbeams Nobody can make me happy; it is a gift I must give myself. I feel alive through new experiences and my soul is becoming vibrant and optimistic again. My new-found peace has elevated my outlook and I have hope of something much, much better around the corner. This is transition. There is still the darkness-- the moon doesn't shine when it's bright outside--but there is an illumination from the moonbeams that lends its light to guide the way to better things.

I was born with a silver spoon I never wanted for anything monetary in my life so far. Leaving this relationship has put me in a position where I will have to curtail my lifestyle and have limited resources-- but that kind of wealth is not important at all; in fact it's tertiary to life. Material things actually mean very little in the grand scheme of things. The spoon is "silver" juxtaposed with the special, unique, beautiful human element which is "gold". just as silver is less valuable/less rare than gold, so material things fall far short of the value of a beautiful soul.

Hell I'm gonna be me, Gonna be free I can't live my life for anyone else. I am free from the shackles of a commitment that didn't work. I can choose my path and the only chains that bind me are those of my own choosing-- my character, my standards, mores, values, what's important to me... I am not "alone" because I left this relationship, rather I am "free" and unencumbered from the past.

Walking on moonbeams...and staring out to sea Hope. The only thing left in Pandora's box. Inky darkness is illuminated by moonbeams... to walk upon a ray of light is to stand on something that has no mass, no substance, it requires optimism, hope. I no longer see only the night, there is a glimmer and I am giddy with the potential of a happiness. Staring out to sea in hope that my ship's mast will break the horizon, no matter if the waters are dangerous. Again, this is a chance, but one I have to take. Hope. I feel my face stretching in a smile more days than not now and I am coming alive through new experiences. My soul is becoming vibrant and optimistic again.

And if a door be closed Then a row of homes start building
I have choices. I had to be brave to walk away from that door and give up on it opening again but now I have made that choice and walked away. a whole row of homes with so many doors to choose from. They house my hopes and dreams and plans, inexhaustible choices. If one is closed, I have just to walk to another and open it and step through. I will take courage from that knowledge and my personal power is growing exponentially, building cumulatively upon every good choice I make.

And tear your curtains down For sunlight is like gold I will never block out the sunlight again, even though I have been hurt so deeply. i just cannot afford to do so. I am so lucky to have the love and support of my friends-- and have found this love and support in the least likely of places--and realize that giving of myself (and my own sunlight) freely is a requirement to receive it in turn. That beautiful sunlight is more valuable than anything monetary or material-- it is the true gold that the song speaks of.

Hell you better be you Do what you can do Don't live your life for anyone else. Embrace the gold inside you and work on that. You can't change anyone else; you can't make anyone feel any certain way about you no matter how hard you try. Some things are totally out of your control. The way you feel and the choices you make given the circumstances and opportunities with which you are faced are your choice. Do something with that. Be true to yourself and your character but if you don't like something (even something about yourself), change it.

Walking on moonbeams And staring out to sea See above

'Cause if your skin was soil How long do you think before they'd start digging The most beautiful and most valuable thing (your gold) is your soul. Love it and let it glow. People around you will see it and your light will shine out like sunshine, illuminating not only your own darkness but also the darkness of those around you. Some are drawn to this sunlight to warm themselves and to share their own warmth with you. Others are drawn to you for what that sunlight can do for them alone and will merely try to absorb its warmth leaving their cold and negative baggage there in its place. Share yourself freely--but know that share means give and take. Don't just give until your resources are depleted.

And if your life was gold How long do you think you'd stay living Again, share yourself freely--but know that share means give and take. You have to give love to get love. Let your relationships be rich; give compliments and encouragement as you would give hospitality-- generously and without reservation. But know that you cannot be beautiful all the time. It will drain you and take from you your ability to be genuinely generous, giving, loving, and selfless. Know that you will be selfish at times-- your life will not be all gold-- and that's ok. Know that you will have feelings and ask things of others that are not always selfless--feelings are illogical by their very nature. You are human and this is okay. Don't give to those who would pull from you until your "gold" is depleted; give yourself a break and know that even in your imperfections, you are still so beautiful and those who truly love you do so with full knowledge of your faults.