I woke up this morning trying to imagine what if I lived in another world in another place in another time. What if I lived in a world where no one hated anyone else? A world where loving others was the norm. What if I lived in a world where everyone helped others with no thought of benefits to themselves? What would a world be like with no greed, no selfishness and no narcissism?
Then I thought of John Lennon’s song “Imagine.” I can’t say I am too familiar with the lyrics from this song, but I realize I am treading on ground already imagined by many others. Here are the lyrics from “Imagine” by John Lennon.
Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky
Imagine all the people
Livin’ for today
Ah
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
Imagine all the people
Livin’ life in peace
You
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one
Where could such a place be? In a multiverse of possibilities, where could I find another world where peace and prosperity are guaranteed for all? Surely, in a universe of all possibilities somewhere else people live in harmony with their environment and do not force others to live according to their standards. Surely, there is some place in the multiverse where tolerance and respect for all is the norm.
I would like to imagine a place like the planet Vulcan with the famous Vulcan IDIC. Infinite Diversity through Infinite Combination. I would like to imagine a place where people who talk about diversity and equity and inclusion are not treated as pariahs and outcasts. I would like to imagine a world where sexual preferences are the norm and people are not expected to conform to simple dualities.
I would like to imagine somewhere exists maybe over the rainbow where there is no homelessness and no starvation. I would like to imagine a place where rape and child abuse are unheard of. A place where anyone of any color or sexual orientation is free from abuse and threats and fear for their lives. I would like to imagine a place where little children and women can walk freely at any time of the day or night without worrying about being murdered or assaulted.
I am nowhere near the dreamer that John Lennon was though I think dreamers should be sacred in our world. I would like to see a place or country where people dream more and hate less.
I woke up this morning feeling like I am in the wrong world at the wrong time and in the wrong place. I don’t belong here anymore. I can’t read the news or listen to the radio or watch tv because they keep shouting to me over and over and over again that I don’t belong here anymore. I have outlived my time and my usefulness. I can only mourn for a place that is beyond my imagination.
I want to live in a world where kindness and compassion and respect for all human beings is the norm. Somewhere, I keep imagining that there is a place where violence and jealousy and revenge do not exist.
Perhaps if I go back to sleep, I can return to reality. I can stop imagining things that only bring me tears and heartache. Things that make me loath my own humanity. I wonder if I can ever find a brotherhood or sisterhood of love again in this world. Perhaps in my dreams, I can find the place I want to go to.
Aging Capriciously 
Feb 22, 2025 @ 08:18:49
You are in good company in this respect, John. So damned sad.
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Feb 22, 2025 @ 13:00:50
Yes Jane. I know many people who feel like I do. Mine comes and goes. I alternate between optimism and pessimism but mostly towards pessimism.
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Feb 22, 2025 @ 13:32:22
Maybe optimism for the long term, but it’s hard to image having much reason for optimism in the short term.
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Feb 22, 2025 @ 18:33:27
Yes, how true Jane.
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Feb 22, 2025 @ 10:04:09
John, I’m with you about feeling lost here in space and time.
I think that you are longing for the place that an ancient collection of books calls “Heaven,” a “somewhere beyond all this,” as another wonderful poet once described it. https://youtu.be/4ssnhpsUnjg?feature=shared
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Feb 22, 2025 @ 13:02:06
Interesting place this Heaven. I wonder how all the people that do not get along on this planet but plan to go to heaven, will manage to get along up there when they cannot down here? John
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Feb 25, 2025 @ 05:38:34
Heaven IS an interesting place, John. No one gets there the same as they are here. Souls must be “born again” and become like the Jesus who you say you so admire. When we see Him face to Face, we will both be like Him and also finally our true selves. That’s how we “manage to get along up there when [we] cannot down here.” Only the “up there” is actually “down here” in a New Heaven and on a New Earth. “I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one!”
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Feb 25, 2025 @ 08:18:02
Majik, I don’t beat my chest saying how much I love Jesus. Nor do I tell others that Jesus is the only road to salvation. But I think over the years, I have painted a picture of Jesus as a great if not the greatest prophet who ever lived. I have promoted his key ideas as described in the 8 Beatitudes repeatedly both at the church we go to and in my writings. He is not GOD to me but he is or was a great man with a great message for humanity. IMHO
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Feb 22, 2025 @ 12:29:04
I empathise with so much of what you say John. Hard times! Almost unbearable!
What is bringing me some light though is the number of people taking a stand and calling out the abominations! We are the majority – we have to be! Let’s continue to call it out together in whatever way we can.
In the meantime perhaps we’ll find that special place we want to be in our dreams. 🤞🏼
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Feb 22, 2025 @ 13:03:54
Nice thoughts Margaret. I like the idea that we are in the majority. I want to believe that but somehow these days I am not sure. Anyway, I cycle between hope and despair. I guess I was on the despair side this morning when I woke up. John
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Feb 22, 2025 @ 13:07:41
Ah yes there was a time when I thought the Lennon song could actually happen here in this world and that we were moving towards a more loving time.
However, as I “progressed” from my youth in a small outport village in Newfoundland to our current world I have become disillusioned, discouraged and pessimistic. I am at the stage where I am really concerned for my kids and grandkids.
Similar to you I feel I have outlived my time and usefulness but try to stay optimistic.
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Feb 22, 2025 @ 13:22:06
I hope we can both stay optimistic Wayne. I appreciate your comments and thoughts. I wish the best for your grandchildren. Perhaps, they will grow up eventually into the world we would like to see. John
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Feb 27, 2025 @ 15:20:59
I know that place brother, it’s called, “HEAVEN”, and I am dying to get there. 🙏🏻
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Feb 27, 2025 @ 15:27:32
Don’t die too soon Sis. Wait until I go okay?
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Mar 01, 2025 @ 19:44:49
I promise to wait! I’d love to get there together! ❤️
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Feb 27, 2025 @ 15:28:10
Actually stick around and keep Karen company okay?
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