Takin’ What They’re Givin’

Well, here we are again…..another Monday. The start of yet another long work week, and Friday seems just so damn far away, doesn’t it? I mean, really. Have you noticed that time only speeds by when you’re actually doing the things you want to do? And then when you’re slaving away for your employer, writing endless memos and attending endless meetings and being stuck on endless conference calls, then, and only then, does time crawl by like a race between a slug and a caterpillar.

Why does time insist on pulling that nasty trick on us, I wonder? I mean, what the hell did we ever do to time anyway?

Sigh.

Alright….well, let’s just put on the old stiff upper lip and forge ahead, shall we? Tell you what….let me give you a little music for your morning, a peppy little tune that takes into account your current work situation and gives a fair amount of empathy in the way only a well-coiffed, square-jawed harmonica player can.

“Workin’ For A Livin'”, off of 1982’s “Picture This,” wasn’t the first hit song for Huey Lewis and the News….that honor actually went to another song off the same album, “Do You Believe In Love,” which was written by mega-producer (and Shania Twain’s future ex-husband….way to screw up there, buddy boy) Robert John “Mutt” Lange. While that tune itself is a lovely sheen of harmony vocals and pop songwriting, “Workin'” was straight-up rock and roll with a blue collar message. Unfortunately, the song just missed the Billboard Top 40, peaking only at number 41 after its release as a single.

The song was co-written by Huey (born Hugh Anthony Cregg III, actually….and knowing is half the battle! GO JOE!) and the News’ lead guitarist Chris Hayes, and the lyrics certainly do highlight the common man’s working plight. A fine example at the outset of the song:

“Some days won’t end ever, and some days pass on by
I’ll be working here forever, at least until I die.”

Believe me, I know that feeling all too well…and I’m sure some of you might too. I’ve been stuck in jobs before where I wasn’t paid any more (sometimes less) than I needed to live on, hoping desperately for a way out to a better, higher-paying job, but never able to find one. It would seem like everything was stacked against me, and that no one was willing to take a chance with a new hire…..I began to think I was just doomed to stay where I was forever. It certainly does seem like you’re trapped sometimes.

But I think a lesson I’ve learned in my life so far is that sometimes things take time…..sometimes far too much time, if you ask me, Mr. Universe, but there you have it. The important thing to remember is to keep moving in the direction of your goal. Sure, you may be stuck in a crappy, dead-end job now, but if you have a goal, just keep pushing toward it. Do one little thing each day (a big thing if you have the resources and the time) that pushes you ever-so-slightly in that direction. And if you do, sooner or later, you’ll either arrive at your goal, or something unexpected will happen that will send you in another wonderful direction completely. It’s only a matter of time….

In conclusion, I find that people often spend their lives trying to control things or circumstances or outcomes. Don’t bother…you really can’t. Once you realize and accept the fact that you have almost no control over anything in your life, it sort of becomes very silly to fuss over it all. Just head in the direction you’d like to go, roll with the punches, and take the good with the bad. That’s life, as the Chairman would say.

At least those are my Monday morning deep thoughts. I’m no Jack Handey, I know, but hey…..I try.