Three Solo Travelers & John Lennon
I’ve never told anyone this for fear it wouldn’t come true. But, since it hasn’t come true anyways, I’ll tell you now.
Every time I blew out the candles on my birthday cake – well into my teens – I wished for world peace. And, in the tradition of my family, as I sealed the wish when making the first slice into the cake, I wished for it again.
Yes, I was a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.
The 2012 New Year’s Post
2011 was the 40th anniversary of John Lennon’s song, Imagine. For my 2012 New Year’s post, I asked three solo travelers to riff on what this song means to them in relation to their travels. The answers are wonderful. First, a video of Lennon singing Imagine, then some wonderful thoughts.
A Brotherhood of Man
by Scott Hartman
I imagine John Lennon smiling right now. A wry smile, saying both: “Yes!” and “What took you so long? I’ve been waiting for you.”
This year, Time magazines’ Person of the Year is not “a person” but ‘The Protester’ – “the people.” From Sidi Bouzid to Wall Street, from Downing Street to Delhi, a match – metaphorical and real – has been struck. There isn’t a populated continent on earth that hasn’t felt its’ flame. Americans, Tunisians, Egyptians, Indians, Tibetans and Kazakhs. Christians, Moslems, Buddhists and Hindus. Dozens of nationalities and as many languages – but one voice, saying: “Enough. We have had enough. It’s time for change.”
Of the myriad of gifts that travel has given me, it is perspective and humility that I treasure most. They were given to me on my first solo trip, to India, in 1982. Wearing enough Nikon gear around my neck to support a village, a family of ten invited me off the dusty backstreets of Madurai, onto the dirt floor of their home and piled my banana leaf with food, taking food out of their mouths to feed me. To say I was humbled doesn’t begin to touch what I felt.
Before I left home for the first time – before I had a passport in my pocket and ticket in my hand, comparing myself only to those around me – I was the 99%. Since then the world has become my home, and I have become aware of myself as the 1%. With money in our pockets, food in our stomachs and tickets in our hands, we – those of us who call the world home – are the 1%.
I am,
You are,
We are –
One.
Imagine.
Travel Throws Our Actions into Focus
by Ayngelina of Bacon is Magic
I spent most of 2011 in South America and what struck me most was how countries attempt to strengthen their economy.
The wealthier countries are using natural resources such as mining and forestry to the detriment of the land and long-term growth. I felt very removed from this until I was in Chile, a prosperous country, and realized it was Canadian mining companies leading the way.
It’s easy to demonize mining but our need for iPods, new cellphones and other gadgets means we need to mine for minerals that are in these electronics.
This song reminds me of what I learned in South America, the need to be aware of what is happening in the world and how our actions create a demand for it.
Carrying a Message in Words
Barbara – Hole in the Donut
Many years ago a handwriting analyst said my high crossed T’s meant I was a dreamer. This came as no surprise. As far back as I can remember I wanted to be a travel writer and photographer. The surprise was that I didn’t follow those passions. Instead, I sold my soul to corporations, making decisions based on what others thought rather than what would make me happy. Every few years I would quit my job, pledging that I would never again be trapped in a career I hated, but someone always made me an offer I couldn’t refuse and soon I was right back where I started. My mantra became “If I knew what I wanted to do I’d leave, but I have no idea what I want to do.”
Fortunately, the universe intervened. When a serious illness left me bedridden and fearful of dying, I remembered those childhood dreams. A year later, with renewed health, I slung a backpack over my shoulder and headed off on a round-the-world trip, determined to recreate myself as a travel writer.
It has been five years since that fateful decision and I’ve never looked back. My travels have allowed me to learn about other cultures and carry the message that people the world over are more alike than different. We all want adequate food, shelter, safety, happiness, and a comfortable life for our children. It is my enduring belief that the better we get to know one another, the less likely we will want to kill one another. If my writing carries that message to even one person; if it dispels fear or dissipates even the smallest iota of bigotry, then I have lived a worthwhile life. Yes, I am a dreamer. But fortunately, I’m not the only one.
Previous year’s New Year’s Posts
Thank you to Scott, Ayngelina and Barbara for contributing to this year’s posts. If you’re interested, here are the New Year’s Posts from 2010 and 2011:
Travel for the Common Good: The thoughts of six seasoned travelers.
Travel Your Way to Success: the thoughts of 6 people who have.
And now, in the words of 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 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, 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, 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
