STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see
It's getting hard to be someone, but it all works out,
It doesn't matter much to me........
(Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles 
 written by John Lennon)


If ever I were to pick the best song of The Beatles, from the several hundreds they have composed and recorded, I would most definitely without a doubt choose 'Strawberry Fields Forever' to be the best.


Paul Simon once said that it is not an easy song. It is not one that we could easily whistle, hum or even sing in the shower. So, what makes it so special and lasting? To me, it is always in the background of my mind throughout the years amidst thousands and thousands of songs from countless other groups whether old or new.


Come to think of it, the song has a profound meaning open for one's interpretation subjectively. I always wonder what John Lennon was thinking about when he wrote the line 'Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see'.


Did John literally mean that, as misunderstanding is all that we see in our life that it is easier to live with our eyes closed instead?


Or did he mean living is so easy with our eyes closed, thereby misunderstanding all that we see? In reality, that applies to many, especially when we were teens turning into adults. During those years, we live selfishly thinking only of ourselves without giving much consideration to others around us...like our parents, relatives and even some dear friends too. Oblivious to everyone around, lost in a world of our own and nothing else matters. Some day when we get older, we could find ourselves miserably alone.


I once overheard a little kid asking his father 'Dad, where are your friends, don't you have any?' To that simple question, his dad just didn't know how to answer.


When John wrote the next line 'It's getting hard to be someone, but it all works out'.....a universal truth is written.


Really, it is not that easy to live our life. Everyday we have responsibilities and expectations of us from our loved ones, family and every individual we come into contact with. For instance, when one doesn't earn enough to pay for one's commitments, it is not easy really, to get by. And when one is married and doesn't earn enough to support a family, it is hard really, to get by.


Through it all, there is one consolation and to that John wrote...'but it all works out'.


How? Naturally or with the help of God, maybe. When you reflect on all the troubles you had been through in your life till today, just be damn grateful that despite them all, you are still standing!!