When Paul Simon was a young man me wrote the following lyrics for The Boxer: Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.
It was a look from a young, idealistic man at others, presumably less idealistic. It was what made Paul Simon so insightful . . his clear vision into what was actually there before the vicissitudes of life started interfering with the perfect picture of what should or might be.
Later, in mid-life, he added the following verse: . . no, it isn’t strange. After changes upon changes we are more or less the same. After changes we are more or less the same.
This is a slightly different message. The first implies that there is ‘will’ and the ability for man to change, but he chooses not to. This is hopeful because it implies that we can make a difference, that people can change even if they might choose not to do so at the moment.
The second implies that no matter what we do, whatever changes we make or try to make, it is futile. You end up where you started. Not as hopeful. This must have been written after the onslaught of vicissitudes!
I was talking to my neighbor, Dixon, and told him that the hope for the future was the children, because during the 20’s and 30’s . . up to 40, people were still thinking and open minded about their beliefs. People were willing to think . . . and make changes.
After those years, after the brain stops adding new cells and new neural pathways, mental rigidity seems to set in. Of course, this didn’t happen to me 😉 or you, to be sure 😊 .
Some of us are still open to the new world as it unfolds in its wonder and its beauty. Aren’t we?