Fixing A Hole

I'm fixing a hole where the rain gets in
And stops my mind from wandering
Where it will go

June 1, 2007, will mark the 40 year anniversary of The Beatles’ release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The album won numerous awards, including the Grammy for Album of the Year. It is considered by many to be the first “concept” album.

1967, folks. I was six going on seven. Some of you guys weren’t even born yet. Hell, some of you guys’ parents weren’t even born yet. I don’t remember the release, but I became a Beatles fan during my teen years in the 70s (after they’d broken up), and Sgt. Pepper’s remains one of my all-time favorite albums.

Fixing a Hole is my favorite song from the album.

I'm filling the cracks that ran through the door
And kept my mind from wandering
Where it will go

The song works on multiple levels, but I think it’s mostly about distractions. Things that get in the way and prevent us from performing at our optimum capacities as creative beings. As writers, as parents, as lovers, as people trying to find our way.

What are some of your distractions? What prevents you from taking the slice of life you know you deserve? Drugs? Alcohol? The day job? Gambling? The internet? Dysfunctional people who you’ve allowed into your daily existence? The media?

And it really doesn't matter if I'm wrong I'm right
Where I belong I'm right
Where I belong.
See the people standing there who disagree and never win
And wonder why they don't get in my door

Lovely play on words. But how do we, as 21st century Americans, cut through all the distractions and get on with doing what we know we’re supposed to do?

I don’t pretend to have the answer.

John Lennon once said, “Life is what happens while you’re making other plans.”

How can we make those “other plans” a priority, and keep up with the holes that constantly need fixing?

I’m asking you.