I’ve gotten to this place in life, and it’s mostly good. It’s mostly great.

But I work too much.

I was brainstorming strategies over the holidays. Ideas like:

  • Set an alarm when it’s time to start wrapping things up
  • Set a meeting with myself to leave at the end of the day on time
  • Listen to a CD on my iPod and when the last song plays? Go home.

It isn’t like there isn’t a great home to go to at night. It is great.

It’s just that the ideas keep buzzing around and there’s always something else that needs to get done and one more email won’t hurt or to look up that article or that link or to tweet that or quickly draft that or review this or proof all of it because I know it will never get done but it will feel so dang GOOD to get some of it and…

What’s that buzz? Tell me what’s happening?

I happen to be a fan of Jesus Christ Superstar and it occurred to me that maybe I need a leaving work theme song. Something that really vibrates through my soul. Something that tells me everything’s going to be all right. That the world can spin without me tonight.

:-)

Of course Mary Magdalene covered that in the play. She tells Jesus, “Close your eyes, close your eyes, and relax think of nothing tonight.”

So I went and played the song to test my hypothesis. Do you know? I did feel a soul connection. The incredible lightness of being.

However, if you examine the lyrics, well, a few parts actually get a little riled up. On the way home tonight I decided to make up my own lyrics to see if I could better match the feelings I was having.

Here’s kind of how it went (think off key and not in harmony):

Try not to get worried, try not to get distracted by
Projects that upset you, oh.
You’ve got to go now cuz 
Everything’s alright, yes, what you’ve done today is fine.
And you’ve got to get some sleep tonight.
Let this job go on without you tonight.
If you try, you’ll go bye-bye, and forget all about it for a night

Everything’s alright, yes, yes, what you’ve done today is fine.

Leave and it will soothe soothe you, relax and rejuve you.
Go get some dinner, sit and enjoy it, oh.
Then you’ll feel
Everything’s alright, yes, what you’ve done today is fine. 
Watch some TV or read a book, so sweet
Calm the ache in your head and feet.
Close your eyes, no need for lies
Just relax, think of nothing tonight.

Everything’s alright, yes, what you’ve done today is fine.

Woman, your efforts, can’t change a thing tonight.
Your life, don’t miss it, why will it matter,
Three hundred emails more? 
You’re getting hungry; your soul is starving 
It’s time to head for the door!

Try not to get worried, try not to get distracted by
Projects that upset you, oh.
You’ve got to go now cuz

Everything’s alright, yes, what you’ve done today is fine, yes.

Surely you’re not saying you have the resources
To get it all done?
There will be more work, amazing and fun work, for sure.
Be realistic. Look at your full life and the other good things you’ve got.
Leave while you still have them!
Move while you can enjoy them!
You don’t want to lose them. So begone.

Leave and it will soothe soothe you, relax and rejuve you.
Go get some dinner, sit and enjoy it, oh.

Oh yes, you gotta go now, you gotta leave
For the hour is late and the clean crew is here.
And your eyes are blurred and your tension high.

Go on home, go relax, 
Think of nothing tonight.

Everything’s alright, yes, what you’ve done today is fine.

Go on home, go relax, 
Think of nothing tonight.

My kudos to Andrew Lloyd Webber for writing a song that is still resonating 40 years later.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

Advertisement