~ Imagine Our World At Peace ~
John Lennon’s song IMAGINE is so popular because it resonates within us. It touches our soul, our psyche. The response to this song is rarely, “Oh, it’s okay I guess.” We more commonly hear, “That’s my favourite song of all time!”
It has become an anthem of sorts. An anthem for World Peace. And we need an anthem about peace now more than ever.
We need to remember how important, how essential it is that we practice acceptance of perceived differences. We need to realize how this one step is critical to creating lasting peace in our lifetime. This year. Right now.
Let us move beyond the schoolyard manner of thinking and acting upon the outdated belief that ‘my religion is better than your religion’ or ‘my geographical location is more important than yours’ because these attitudes only keep us frozen in archaic battles.
As a fan of Dick Wolf, I’ve been enjoying his latest addition: Chicago Fire. In one episode we observe a secondary character named ‘Mouch’ express his intense hatred for Canadians when a couple of fire fighters from Toronto visit the station. He could not stand to be in the same room as they were. Towards the end we learn how he had fallen for a girl from Ontario through a website, and sent her money to come to Chicago, but she was a cruel person who scammed him and broke his heart. Through this one event, in his humiliation and heartbreak, he’d written off an entire country, dismissing with disgust anyone with that nationality.
It felt like a pretty good example of one way that exclusion, even racism, can begin to fester in a person’s heart. And everyone who allows these types of wounds to grow while refusing to forgive a larger group of people based on the actions of one or a few, are contributing the problem.
I choose to be a part of the solution. I choose to focus on peace, and the best way for me to foster a peaceful world and make a real difference towards world peace, is by ever deepening the love within my own heart. Peace within individuals grows outward to become peaceful communities, cities and nations. Peace in our hearts is the primary thing we all can do towards creating world peace.
As John Lennon invites us to imagine, what if there were no countries? No borders? I don’t feel borders. And I don’t see borders on our globe. To me, I feel like a resident of the continent of North America. And on a larger scale, as OAK at Only Abundant Knowledge wisely states in her blog, I am an Earthian and to be human is enough.
There is only one race: the Human Race. And I feel as much compassion, love and concern for my human ‘kin’ in Toronto, Aurora, and Newtown, as I do for my fellow ‘kin’ in Delhi, Sudan, and beyond. In my prayers, I feel deep compassion and love for all my fellow residents of this planet, and do my part to send my highest light towards these places where people are hurting and are filled with sadness.
I like to imagine the world at peace as John Lennon dreamt of.
I like to imagine a shift in consciousness, when enough of us on the planet pray for and believe in peace, when the angry ones suddenly wonder ‘what are we even fighting for?’, put down their weapons, and reach out with aid for others who they can now see as their ‘kin’.
And yes, that may make me a dreamer. To which I say thank God for John Lennon and his eternal anthem for peace, and for helping all of us dreamers know that we’re not the only one.
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Related articles:
http://professionsforpeace.com/2013/01/11/as-john-imagined-it/
http://professionsforpeace.com/2012/06/22/john-lennon/
http://everydaygurus.com/2013/01/07/promote-peace/
http://everydaygurus.com/2012/12/20/we-can-make-a-difference-right-here-right-now/
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Note: Images here were randomly sourced through Google except the bottom banner.
Well said, Gina. Thank you for saying it.
Russ
Thank you so much Russ ~ I always appreciate your kind support
Hugs, Gina
I want to stand hand in hand with you, Gina, and sing this song to the world. Kinda like the Coke commercial from the 70s, but without the capitalist motives. I love the idea of starting with peace in our hearts to create world peace. Your blog is a drop of peace in my heart everyday to kick start my journey towards world peace. I too envision a day when the world will live as one.(((Hugs))) Kozo
Ah yes, you and I and a vastly growing global circle, hand in hand, and singing for peace in perfect harmony! Your comments and and kind friendship mean so much to me. Therefore I am hardly surprised by the amazing synchronicity between your comment about the well-known Coke commercial and a blog post I enjoyed by ‘Raven Corwin aka Meggie’ only a couple of hours ago, where I happily learned that the Coca-Cola company donated the first $80,000 in profits made from the beloved song to UNICEF. I am feeling pulled from within to reblog her lovely post, but for now here’s her link.
Hugs to You! xo Gina
http://ravencorwin.wordpress.com/2012/12/31/pgw-33-harmony/
Yay, I love synchronicity. Let’s roll this synchronicity of peace down the hill and see how big it gets. By the end of the year, we can smother the internet in a big fluffy ball of lovingkindness.
Hooray!! Here’s to big fluffy huggable balls of lovingkindness all over the internet
Beautiful post, Dear Gina! I linked it to my B4Peace post today
Tomas
Tomas, thank you! You touch my heart. I am honored.
~Gina
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Reblogged this on OAK.
Thank you, dear heart, for helping spread the peaceful thoughts
Very beautifully put. Thank you
“We need to remember how important, how essential it is that we practice acceptance of perceived differences.” “I like to imagine a shift in consciousness, when enough of us on the planet pray for and believe in peace, when the angry ones suddenly wonder ‘what are we even fighting for?’, put down their weapons, and reach out with aid for others who they can now see as their ‘kin’.” 
Thank you so much! It means a lot to me that you took the time to read, choose a couple of favorite statements of mine, and share them in your kind comment. Feedback is everything in this big beautiful world of blogging, isn’t it? With gratitude, Gina
One day at a time, one beautifully written post, such as this one, at a time…
Imagine all the people,,,living life in peace…It is happening Gina Thank you xo
That is so true, my friend… it IS happening, I have every faith. One step, one thought, one action at a time, we can help heal hearts and build a world of peace.
Thank you for your supportive lovingkindness Anyes. xo Gina
You are showing all of us how it can be done
me too
Thanks Sara
Me too!
And God created the heavens and the earth…and eventually man and woman… I don’t see where He created religion, politics, borders, or hardened hearts. We are called to worship Him and if we all do that I can imagine a world filled with the love that God He created all those years ago. When we love then we will have peace.
Hello Patty, thank you for this lovely and loving comment! Yes that is so well put… where did He create religion or politics or hardened, unforgiving hearts? He didn’t! We can only help create peace on earth by accepting others and allowing for differences, as we wish to be accepted as well. At our core I believe we are all His children and are all brothers and sisters. Thank you again! Blessings, Gina
Gina, I really like your example of how one incident can turn someone bitterly against a whole race or culture!
It’s so good you wrote about this…we all need to check our thoughts and attitudes! This subject needs lots of air time!
Thank you so much ~ this means a lot. I included that story even though of a fictional character because it does need ‘air time’. We need to acknowledge how hurts can blow up into larger forms of hatred and bigotry, and as you pointed out, we all need to check our attitudes
Hugs of gratitude, Gina
“There is only one race, the HUMAN race.” — Love that!
Thank you for this uplifting post Gina, as always. Bless your heart! 
~Nadine Marie~
Hello Nadine Marie! So glad you liked this. Your visits and kind comments always add sunshine to my days
Love and Light, Gina
Greetings Gina on Friday Night, Feb. 1, 2013! Gina! Something happened tonite, can you feel it? I felt it, and there’s no denying. I have never seen the stars sooooo bright!
: “Peace is coming to us all…”
I love that you can see the stars and share your excitement with me! While I am under clouds this evening, I too feel awash with love. I do feel peace. It is coming, and inmates are saving children as you reblogged, and wonderful writers and artists and people of all walks of life are uniting in our need, our longing, our birthright for peace. I am with you on this 100%
I think we look so cute with our flowers!
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Hi Gina, I love revisiting these precious jewels of wisdom now and again. Keep up these awesome posts! Peace to you.
Thank you so kindly, dear heart! Your cheer of support means a lot to me. As do your very welcomed visits.
Love and Peace, Gina
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Nice post…full of compassion . There’s so much wrong in this world that the ones who are more fortunate can start to be apathetic.
Hello Frances, thank you for visiting and sharing this nice comment. Yes let us all remain awake and aware, and practice empathy not apathy.
Blessings, Gina