something's gained

When I was little, I used to think the song from Joni Mitchell, Both Sides Now,

was called Clouds (I think many of us did).  At one point, I thought it was Clowns,
maybe because of the "circus" reference.

Anyway, the lyrics are so moving--the honesty of life.
How the sky and clouds change just as we do.

As kids, we never had to force ourselves to look up at the sky.
That was just something we did, wasn't it?
Hanging out with popsicles on a sticky summer day, gazing up at the clouds.
Or staring out at the looming dark cover, anticipating thunder and lightning.
We even believed we could summon the wind when we wanted to cool off.
The magic of imagination.

Yet as we grow older, we begin to forget about magic skies.
We have to remind ourselves to pause.
I'm humbled whenever I look at the sky.

How expansive it is;
remembering that others share the same sky.
Realizing who and what are most important to us.

Gaining this perspective is good.
It is powerful beyond human limitations.

Back to Joni Mitchell, I especially like these words from the song... 

Tears and fears and feeling proud

To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way

But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Well something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day

I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

lyrics courtesy of jonimitchell.com