Illusion

Last night I stumbled across this song by VNV Nation, a band new to me. The passion and sincerity in the singer's voice immediately captured my attention, and I was riveted by the lyrics, which somehow perfectly capture how I feel about the loved ones in my life who face deep depression, sorrow, feelings of inadequacy or alienation, and other extreme challenges. In a few words, VNV Nation captures the feelings I wish I were brave enough to express to the people I care about:

I know it's hard to tell how mixed up you feel
Hoping what you need is behind every door
Each time you get hurt, I don't want you to change
Because everyone has hopes, you're human after all
The feeling sometimes, wishing you were someone else
Feeling as though you never belong
This feeling is not sadness, this feeling is not joy
I truly understand. Please, don't cry now 

Please don't go, I want you to stay
I'm begging you please, please don't leave here
I don't want you to hate; 
For all the hurt that you feel
The world is just illusion, trying to change you