“When You Believe”

I recently read a review of Mariah Carey’s work, by someone bemoaning her syrupy songs, indicating that her sexy ones are better. Well, I like the syrup ones… Recently I came across “When You Believe”.
As is my custom, I have my own interpretation of the message….and to me it is an anthem of strength for anyone going through a situation that is not likely to change significantly in the near future…. So here are the words of the song, along with my comments, and a video of the song is beneath that….

Many nights we've prayed
(It seems that we turn to G-d most when we feel that we are in a “night”)
With no proof anyone could hear
(We know that G-d hears, but since we don’t always “see” an answer, sometimes we feel that No One is listening….)
In our hearts a hopeful song
(Yet we hope for G-d’s help)
We barely understood

Now we are not afraid
(We need not be afraid because we trust that whatever happens will be for our ultimate good)
Although we know there's much to fear
(There are so many things that can go “wrong” in our lives)
We were moving mountains long
(Once we truly started to turn our lives over to G-d’s will – 12 steps style- we found the power to move the mountains within us)
Before we knew we could
(We suddenly realized that we had an internal strength far beyond any we imagined having….)


There can be miracles, when you believe
(When you believe in your ability to change for the better, you can find the strength to do so)
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
(Sometimes our self-belief—and trust in G-d - is frail)
Who knows what miracles you can achieve
(But you will be amazed at the changes you can make inside**)
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe


In this time of fear
(When we fear something—feeling inadequate….)
When prayers so often prove(s) in vain
(Sometimes we expect G-d to make an easy “instant” cure… and that is not the response we get from G-d)
Hope seems like the summer birds
Too swiftly flown away
(We suddenly realize that G-d is not going to solve everything for us, we suddenly realize that our hopes for all to be “OK” just isn’t going to happen…)

Yet now I'm standing here
(Yet we learn to survive in a situation that is less than perfect)
My heart's so full I can't explain
(Yet the changes I make in myself to deal with a given situation makes me OH SO MUCH STRONGER)
Seeking faith and speaking words
I never thought I'd say
(I sometimes acknowledge that as hard as things are at times, and as much as I fight the thought of enduring this situation, I admit that it has improved me as a person)

There can be miracles, when you believe
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe


They don't (always happen) when you ask
(G-d doesn’t always make the “wrong” go away)
And it's easy to give in to your fears
(That we can’t manage)
But when you're blinded by your pain
(Yes, sometimes G-d gives us a painful situation)
Can't see your way straight through the rain
(We feel oh so lost)
(A small but )still resilient voice
(Yet inside that spark of holiness that G-d planted in us)
Says (hope is very near)
(reminds us)

There can be miracles (Miracles)
(The miracle that we adapt and achieve happiness within, in spite of it all)
When you believe (Lord, when you believe)
(When we believe in G-d enough to realize that even this trial is His will)
Though hope is frail (Though hope is frail)
(Even when we initially find it hard to believe that we can find moments of contentment, self assurance, and happiness in the midst of this test)
It's hard to kill (Hard to kill, Ohhh)

Who knows what miracles, you can achieve
When you believe, somehow you will (somehow, somehow, somehow)
somehow you will
(YES YOU CAN!)
You will when you believe

You will when you
You will when you believe
Just believe...in your heart
Just believe
You will when you believe

** Because, realistically that is the ONLY change we have control over. We can not force others to bend to our will, we can not force others to do what is right… we ultimately can only control ourselves. But that is hopefully enough….