"I want to sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think."

The heart of this quote is all about embracing freedom and authenticity. It's about living life without the constant worry of external judgment. Imagine a bird. When it sings, it doesn’t think about who’s listening or what they might say. It sings because that’s what it’s meant to do. It’s a pure, unfiltered expression of its being.

This idea isn’t new. In fact, it comes from the Persian poet Rumi, who lived in the 13th century. Rumi was a mystic and a philosopher, and he often wrote about finding inner peace and joy. His work encourages us to look inward and connect with our true selves. When Rumi talks about singing like the birds, he’s urging us to live with the same kind of unselfconsciousness and freedom.

Let’s take a real-life example. Think about a young child dancing. They don’t care if they’re in the middle of a mall or if their moves are a bit awkward. They dance because the music moves them, and they’re having fun. There’s no fear of embarrassment, no second-guessing. They’re just in the moment, fully alive and expressive.

Now, how can we bring this kind of freedom into our own lives? Start small. Maybe you love to paint, but you’re afraid your work isn’t good enough. Paint anyway. Let the colors flow without worrying about the final product. Or perhaps you enjoy singing but only do it in the shower. Next time, try singing while you cook or clean. The key is to do what you love without scrutinizing every detail.

Imagine this: You’re at a family gathering. Everyone’s chatting, and there’s a bit of background music. You feel the urge to sing along or maybe even dance. Normally, you might hold back, worried that someone will laugh or think you’re being silly. But today, you decide to go for it. You hum to the tune, maybe tap your foot, and before you know it, you’re swaying to the music. A couple of family members might glance over, but they quickly go back to their conversations. What you notice is that you feel lighter, happier. You were true to yourself for a moment, and it felt great.

That’s what Rumi’s talking about. It’s about finding those moments of genuine expression and letting yourself enjoy them without the burden of overthinking. It’s not easy, especially if you’re used to being self-critical. But with practice, it gets easier. Each time you let go, even just a little, you get a taste of that freedom.

So next time you’re hesitant about doing something you love, think about that bird. Sing, dance, paint, write—whatever it is that makes you feel alive. Don’t worry about the audience. This is your life, and you deserve to live it fully and authentically. After all, the birds aren’t worried, so why should you be?