We Can Be People Who Imagine
As we bring 2024 to a close, I invite us to be people who imagine – not the worst that is possible but the best.
In the Foreword to the book Imagine, Yoko Ono wrote about her late husband’s song. She said that John “wrote ‘Imagine’ as a song calling for peace around the world. Today, we need peace more than ever, so I think his words are still very important.”
“Imagine there’s no heaven. It’s easy if you try.
No hell below us. Above us, only sky.
Imagine all the people living for today.
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 living life in peace.
You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.
I hope some day 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 may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.
I hope some day you’ll join us, And the world will live as one.”
The Afterword, written by Amnesty International, thanks Jean Jullian Lennon for his artistry in illustrating this song by his father and Yoko Ono for giving permission to use the words of John Lennon’s song.
Amnesty International reminds us of the importance of looking after the precious freedoms we call human rights which were first proclaimed in 1948 by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These rights include fairness, truth, equality, love, home, and safety.
What more powerful and beautiful gift could we give at this time of year?
