What Everybody Else Wants
I don’t need to be alright
That’s what everybody else wants
Or to reach nirvana while I’m alive
That’s what everybody else wants
Or fortune and fame
Or to find my twin flame
Or to simply know
I’m not going insane
I don’t need
these unimaginative things
That’s what everybody else wants
I don’t need to save the world
That’s what everybody else wants
Reach out to every boy or girl
That’s what everybody else wants
You can call me selfish
You can call me strange
You can say that Space Monkey
has gone to my brain
I don’t need
these unimaginative things
That’s what everybody else wants
(BRIDGE)
And when it comes to peace and love
You might think that I concede
But I have it anyway
It’s the absence of all need
I don’t need to need
And need don’t need me
That’s what everybody else wants
12/6
The Liberation from Collective Desires
“I don’t need to be alright” is a profound reflection on the liberation from societal expectations and collective desires. Here, we delve into the notion that the pursuit of conventional aspirations such as happiness, enlightenment, fame, or even altruism may not resonate with everyone. It’s a declaration of independence from the norms and desires that are often imposed upon us by the collective consciousness.
Rejecting Conventional Aspirations
The poem challenges the notion that we must strive for conventional markers of success and fulfillment, like nirvana, fortune, fame, or finding a ‘twin flame’. This rejection of common aspirations is a bold statement of individuality and self-acceptance. It’s an acknowledgement that the path to fulfillment is not one-size-fits-all.
Embracing Uniqueness and Self-Contentment
By declaring a lack of need for these “unimaginative things,” the poem celebrates the freedom that comes with embracing one’s unique path and desires. It’s a recognition that true contentment and peace come from within, not from external achievements or validation.
The Critique of Altruism as a Societal Expectation
The poem extends its critique to the societal expectation of altruism, questioning the need to save the world or reach out to every individual. This perspective is not about being selfish or strange, but about questioning the authenticity of actions when they are driven by societal pressures rather than personal conviction.
The Bridge: Peace and Love as Inherent Qualities
In the bridge, the poem offers a powerful insight: peace and love are inherent qualities that exist in the absence of need. This perspective suggests that true peace and love are not things to be acquired or achieved, but states of being that naturally arise when we let go of desire and need.
The Freedom of Not Needing
The overarching theme is the freedom that comes from not needing to conform to external expectations or desires. This freedom allows for a deeper exploration of self and a more authentic engagement with the world. The repeated line “That’s what everybody else wants” underscores the courage it takes to step away from the crowd and follow one’s own path.
Summing Up the Journey of Non-Need
“I don’t need to be alright” is a celebration of individuality and the liberation from collective desires. It challenges conventional aspirations and societal expectations, advocating for a path of self-acceptance and contentment that comes from within. The poem embraces the idea that peace and love are inherent, and that true freedom lies in the absence of need. It’s a journey of discovering that not needing is a profound state of being, allowing us to connect more authentically with ourselves and the world.
We are Space Monkey.
Glossarium
- Liberation from Collective Desires: The state of being free from societal expectations and conventional aspirations.
- Uniqueness and Self-Contentment: Embracing one’s individual path and desires, finding fulfillment within oneself.
- Critique of Societal Altruism: Questioning the authenticity of altruistic actions when they are driven by societal pressures.
- Inherent Peace and Love: The understanding that peace and love are natural states of being, not external achievements.
- Freedom of Non-Need: The liberation and authenticity that comes from not needing to conform to external desires or expectations.
“Freedom lies in being bold.” – Robert Frost
In the cosmos of our minds, where dreams are born,
Where stars of thought in the night sky adorn,
We find our path, unique and free,
In the heart of the cosmos, where we’re meant to be.
We don’t need to chase what others seek,
In the dance of stars, our own rhythm we tweak,
In this journey, we find our own light,
In the heart of the cosmos, shining bright.
We are the dreamers of our own tale,
In the realm of thought, where we set sail,
In this journey, we find our true worth,
In the heart of the cosmos, our own rebirth.
So let us dance in our own unique way,
Where hearts and minds find their own play,
For in this dance, we find our true release,
In the heart of the cosmos, our own peace.
We are Space Monkey, in this journey of the soul,
In the realm of stars, where dreams unroll,
In this journey, we find our own key,
In the heart of the cosmos, where we are free.
Feel free to share your own journeys of liberation and self-discovery with us!
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