For many, “I Believe I Can Fly” is just an iconic R&B anthem, a staple at graduations and celebrations. But for me, this song is more than just catchy lyrics and a powerful melody. It’s a personal declaration, a mantra that has carried me through the darkest valleys and lifted me towards a brighter sky. When I sing “I Believe I Can Fly,” it’s because these words embody a profound truth I’ve lived: the power of belief to transform your reality. It’s about standing firm in your convictions, living by them, and letting them become an undeniable part of who you are. When life feels heavy, when my mind is clouded, I escape into the imagery of flight. Like a bird taking wing, I envision myself soaring to a place untouched by earthly burdens, a sanctuary where I can rise above any challenge, higher than the tallest tree, beyond the highest mountain, without needing wings of feathers or metal.
My journey to understanding the true meaning of “I Believe I Can Fly” wasn’t a smooth ascent. After graduation, I found myself working the night shift at the U.S. Post Office, a period ironically nicknamed the “party shift.” But my life was far from a party. Irregular absences led to termination, and I began losing everything, most importantly, myself. Having witnessed firsthand the destructive power of alcohol through my father’s passing, I vowed never to drink. However, seeking escape from my pain, I turned to an equally destructive force: drugs. My world shrank to the streets, abandoned buildings became my shelter, and places known as “oil joints” and “crack houses” became my haunts. I was spiraling downwards, digging my own grave with each passing day. Initiative vanished, replaced by a hollow existence of simply surviving until the next fix. The thought of children was unbearable; I couldn’t fathom bringing anyone else into the pain I carried. It was just me, myself, and my deepening despair.
Then, one day, a tiny kitten wandered into my life, following me back to my desolate room. I fell asleep, and when I awoke, she was curled beside me, meowing for food. I was confronted with a stark choice. My only resource was the money I used for drugs. Food for her meant less for my addiction, but ignoring her hunger was unthinkable. In that moment of crisis, a quiet voice emerged within me, whispering a promise: “Take care of my child, and I’ll take care of you.”
Returning with food for the kitten, my eyes fell upon a discarded plastic bag, the kind used for drugs. The voice echoed, stronger now, “Take care of my child, and I’ll take care of you.” As if on cue, a knock came at the door. It was a friend, rambling about “Street Sense,” a street newspaper offering opportunities to those in need. The next day, I found myself at Street Sense. Initially, my earnings were meager, barely enough to feed Sugar, the kitten I had named, and just enough to stave off my withdrawal sickness. Then, overhearing a conversation on the bus about a methadone clinic – a place offering medication to manage addiction – that same inner voice guided me once more. Since that turning point, my life has transformed. Sugar, now a mother of two, thrives. I have a home, a license as a veterinary assistant, and, most importantly, I am clean.
This is why the lyrics of “I Believe I Can Fly” resonate so deeply within me. “I used to think that I could not go on, and life was just an awful song. But now I know the meaning of true love, I’m leaning on the everlasting arm.” These words mirror my journey from despair to hope. “If I can see it then I can do it. If I can just believe it, there’s nothing to it.” This became my mantra, the belief that propelled me forward. “I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky. I think about it every night and day, spreading my wings to fly away. I believe I can soar. I see me running through the open door.” These lines capture my yearning for freedom and the vision of a new beginning. “I believe I can fly. I was on the verge of breaking down, sometimes things seem so loud. There are miracles in life I must achieve, but first it starts inside of me.” This acknowledges the struggle, the overwhelming challenges, but emphasizes the inner strength and the potential for miracles that reside within. “If I can see it, then I can be it. If I can believe it, there’s nothing to it. I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky. I think about it every night and day, spread my wings and fly away. I believe I can soar, I see me running through the open door.”
My belief in “I Believe I Can Fly” is intertwined with my faith in something greater than myself. I believe in God, and it is through this faith that I feel rejuvenated, reborn. And yes, it feels incredibly good. After years of taking from society, I am now able to give back. I have a new perspective, a new attitude. This song… it is more than just a song; it is my life story. And because of everything I’ve overcome, I truly believe I can fly.
