I started my day today like I start most of them; knocking back a few cups of coffee while I procrastinate starting my day. It’s not that I don’t look forward to my day - I love what I do, I think it’s simply a comforting ritual I have. Today’s tool of choice to keep me distracted was Facebook.
A friend of mine, Mike Wood (he runs a great company -City Lights Entertainment - a sort of one stop shop for artists- check it out) asked about suggestions for best Christmas songs, for a radio interview in Calgary. Without hesitation, I fired back with John and Yoko’s “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” and went on to work hard at my avoidance of working hard.
Then Mike asks all the suggesters a simple question; Why?
Dammit.
So here it goes.
Firstly, It just a damn good song.
But in order to avoid Mike asking “why” one more time ... this is what the song means to ME.
It feels as relevant today as it was the moment John put pen to paper. (I refer to John Lennon by first name, because like any true Beatle fan , you feel like you know him THAT well).
It feels like it wasn’t written JUST to move units. Of course, i’m sure Yoko’s business savvy was involved, but there is a core message and purpose to this song that is so much bigger than unit sales.
And for me, the first line sets it all up....
“So this is Christmas, and what have you done?”
Hmmm damn good question. Makes you stop and think... Was I naughty or nice? Did I live each day like it was my last, or did I just go through the motions?
And you know what, I like to think that I do OK.
Even though not everyday is perfect, life throws us all some curve balls, I consider myself very fortunate and lucky to wake up everyday and love what I do.
Then John and Yoko sum it up with...
“Let’s hope it’s a good one, without any fear”
I meet a ton of fantastic and very interesting people throughout the year, and unfortunately there are quite a few who just aren’t happy, for whatever reason.They feel trapped in a dead end job, or a relationship that isn’t what they expected, or simply don’t know what life path to take. So, being bold and nosy, I usually ask “Why?” or “Why not make a change?”. I’m not asking to set myself up to think that I can offer any advice or insight, I’m just legitimately curious.
I generally hear a few “Oh, I don’t know”, or “It’s tough out there” etc, but when it comes down to it, we all often simply live in fear. Fear of change, fear of failure etc..
Fear of making a mistake if you are a surgeon is REAL fear to me - you screw up someone dies. Pilot crashes a plane? that’s real too... my problem? eh.. not so much.
“War is over, if you want it”
John mastered the craft of being “artfully vague” - his lyric choices always seem crafted in a such a way so that they can mean whatever you want them to mean.
And for me, this song it not JUST about physical warfare (for John, is was about Vietnam, for our generation, it’s can apply to our brave troops over in Iraq and Afghanistan), it can also be about our own internal war with our daily fears.
Why do we wait to make new year’s resolutions? Why do we rarely keep them?
Yes, maybe a little too deep of a read on an Xmas song. But like I said, this is what it means to ME - today.
If I had a good year, it’s a pat on the back from John saying “good job”, and if it’s wasn’t such a good year, it acts as a gentle reminder that life is meant to be lived and enjoyed - and that this is a time to be thankful and grateful for everyone and everything in our lives.
And I am. VERY much so.
Thank you to all of you who make what we do possible.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you all.
I look forward to each and everyday of 2010 with you.
RY out...
Enjoy...
