Defying Gravity

I was pretty sure it would happen. I was right: I cried – again – when seeing Wicked yesterday. Such a good story. Such amazing lyrics and music. And impossible to not be moved by it. The last, highly anticipated song before intermission is Defying Gravity. It’s powerful; a woman realizing her strength, breaking through all limits and restraints, and flying. Sure, it’s literal in this case, but the metaphor applies – to her and to me.

So, read a few of these lines:

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I’m through with playing by the rules
Of someone else’s game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It’s time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes: and leap!

It’s time to try
Defying gravity
I think I’ll try
Defying gravity
And you can’t pull me down!

I’m through accepting limits
’cause someone says they’re so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I’ll never know!
Too long I’ve been afraid of
Losing love I guess I’ve lost
Well, if that’s love
It comes at much too high a cost!
I’d sooner buy
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I’m defying gravity
And you can’t pull me down.

Aren’t those amazing?

For me, three days from launching my business – declaring that it’s what I want to do, know how to do, will do, there is still much that keeps me afraid, bound, and uncertain that I won’t just come crashing down. Its time to try defying gravity.

For me, nearly 6 months since being laid off from my job – declaring that I don’t want to go back to 9-5, that I can make this entrepreneurial/consultant gig actually work, there is still much that keeps me afraid, bound,and less than certain that I actually can fly.

For me, two years after my divorce – declaring that I know what I want, desire, and can offer, there is still much that keeps me afraid, bound, and less than certain that I actually can fly. It’s time to try defying gravity.

For me, 13 years after becoming a parent – declaring my love for my daughters and what I want for them, love about them, and will do for them, there is still much that keeps me afraid, bound, and less than certain that I (and they) actually can fly. It’s time to try defying gravity.

It’s true: it’s way too late for second guessing; too late to go back to sleep. It’s time to trust my instinct, close my eyes, and leap!

Whether 3 days, 6 months, 2 years, 13 years, or a lifetime, opportunity to leap is always there. I for one, want to grab it – eyes wide open – still acknowledging my fears, my (perceived) limits, my lack of certainty. Elphaba does it – with much (within and without) that would keep her from doing so. Surely I can, as well. It’s time.

Still a little teary, thinking about it. Beautiful, powerful stuff. And my affect/response would tell me that I’m on to something, that it matters, that what I feel is true and right and worth honoring. Yep: defying gravity. It’s time.

Tagged as: defiance, defying gravity, gravity, risk, strength, Wicked

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