This quote by Rumi speaks to the inherent potential, goodness, and greatness that every human possesses. It’s a profound invitation to recognize and honor the deeper aspects of ourselves that often remain hidden or dormant due to fear, doubt, or the pressures of life. Let’s break it down and analyze it more deeply:
1. “You were born with potential.”
Rumi begins by affirming that every person enters this world with infinite possibilities. Potential here is not merely about talent or intelligence; it’s about the capacity to grow, evolve, and realize one’s fullest self. This potential exists beyond external conditions or achievements; it is a universal quality intrinsic to human existence. It’s a reminder that the journey of life is a process of discovering and nurturing what already lies within.
2. “You were born with goodness and trust.”
Here, Rumi points to the essential virtues that reside in all of us—goodness and trust. Goodness can be seen as an innate moral compass, an impulse toward kindness, empathy, and a sense of justice. Trust refers to the belief in ourselves, in others, and in the universe. This line suggests that, at our core, we are born with an openness to life, a sense of optimism, and an ability to trust the unfolding of our personal journey. It is a call to return to this foundational innocence and confidence, even when life becomes challenging.
3. “You were born with ideals and dreams.”
This line highlights the aspirational and imaginative qualities we are all born with. Idealism and dreaming represent the drive for something beyond the status quo—the desire to improve, to envision a better world, and to seek fulfillment. Our ideals and dreams serve as guiding stars, motivating us to transcend the limitations of the present moment and strive toward a higher vision of ourselves and our world.
4. “You were born with greatness.”
Rumi here is not suggesting greatness in the conventional sense—fame, power, or worldly success—but a deeper, more authentic greatness. It is the greatness of being fully human, of embracing our inner potential and living in alignment with our higher purpose. This greatness is not something we must earn or achieve; it is a recognition of the inherent dignity and divinity within us. We are each born with a unique and irreplaceable role in the vast web of life.
5. “You were born with wings.”
The metaphor of wings is rich with meaning. Wings symbolize freedom, expansion, and transcendence. To be born with wings means that we have within us the ability to rise above limitations, to break free from the confines of the material world and the self-imposed boundaries of fear and self-doubt. Wings also represent the capacity for spiritual and personal growth—our ability to soar to higher levels of consciousness and awareness.
6. “You are not meant for crawling, so don’t.”
This is perhaps the most urgent and empowering part of the quote. Rumi is encouraging us to refuse to live in a state of limitation or fear. Crawling represents a state of being where we remain stuck, afraid to take risks or to fully embrace the possibilities of life. “Don’t” is an imperative: it challenges us to not settle for less than what we are capable of. It asks us to rise above mediocrity and limitation and to claim the fullness of our potential.
7. “You have wings.”
Rumi repeats the message that we already possess what we need to transcend our limitations. The repetition serves to emphasize the point—our wings, our potential, our power are not distant or out of reach; they are already within us, waiting to be acknowledged and activated.
8. “Learn to use them and fly.”
The final line is both an invitation and a call to action. We must not only recognize that we have wings (our potential, goodness, dreams, and greatness) but also learn how to use them. This involves developing the necessary skills, courage, and wisdom to fully express our true nature. “Flying” symbolizes embracing our freedom, our vision, and our capacity to transcend the ordinary and the mundane. It’s a process of self-realization, a deepening of trust in the self, and an act of courage in the face of the unknown.
Overall Analysis:
This quote is a powerful reminder of our inherent potential, the divinity within each of us, and our responsibility to live fully, fearlessly, and authentically. Rumi encourages us to recognize the innate goodness, ideals, and greatness that lie within, and to use the gifts we’ve been born with—not just for personal gain, but to elevate our lives and contribute to the greater whole. The central message is one of awakening and self-empowerment, a call to trust ourselves and the journey we are on, and to embrace the freedom and expansive potential that life offers.
At its heart, the quote asks us to embrace a spiritual and personal transformation. It invites us to move from the confined and limited space of “crawling” to the open sky of freedom and self-actualization. The wings are already within us; the task is to learn how to spread them, fly, and fully embody the greatness that we are meant for.