Watching the wheels go round

St. Ignatius of Loyola Dome, Rome, Italy, September 2005, Pentax Optio 555, 

Exposure 1/5 sec @ f2.8, ISO 400, no flash © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] 

This is a spectacular dome, in a rather inconspicuous church in Rome. But when I look at it in this photo (compressed into two dimensions), I see a wheel. A beautiful wheel, but a wheel nonetheless. 

Perhaps that was becuase I was looking through my library for a photo to go with the song below. You've probably heard John Lennon singing "Watching The Wheels," but have you ever really focused on the lyrics. They are amazing. 

Have you ever considered stepping off the merry-go-round (of work, of consumerism, of the media), and just watch the wheels go 'round? 

Check out the lyrics below and consider reflecting on them during some quiet time:

Watching The Wheels,   
by John Lennon  

People say I'm crazy doing what I'm doing
Well they give me all kinds of warnings to save me from ruin 
When I say that I'm OK well they look at me kind of strange
Surely you're not happy now you no longer play the game  

People say I'm lazy dreaming my life away
Well they give me all kinds of advice designed to enlighten me
When I tell them that I'm doing fine watching shadows on the wall
Don't you miss the big time boy you're no longer on the ball? 

I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry-go-round 
I just had to let it go 

People asking questions lost in confusion
Well I tell them there's no problem, only solutions
Well they shake their heads and they look at me as if I've lost my mind
I tell them there's no hurry... I'm just sitting here doing time 

I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry-go-round 
I just had to let it go.  I just had to let it go.  I just had to let it go.