John Lennon (A Poet) - Watching The Wheels - (An Interactive Article)

nice song

Joseph, can you maybe get into the spirit of the article? Share some thoughts with us please.

 I won't ask, Chana. I had a brother who passed away at the age of 23. It was the first time I ever heard the quote: "All the good men die young." The second time was when John was gunned down. I began to believe it somewhat.

          "Do a kindness". Yes. No matter whose name you do it in, or whom you do it for, it is a great way to live EVERY day.

Penni, I meant don't ask me why it was so hard because of anything like that. Honestly its not about a bad thing, (no death involved) its just extemely personal. I do however feel a bright light was snuffed by his death.

I agree with you Penni. It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. It only takes a second (or less) to let someone with fewer items in front of you in line, or let them into the flow of traffic. I think we all forget that sometimes.

Note: If you look at the video at about 3:00 there is a picture of him that could be a twin to his son Julian.

Good Morning, Chana. I'm at work right now. I can read but not listen to videos, they're restricted. I will come back here again later tonight at home so I can absorb the entire post as you meant it to be.

BTW thanks for your kindness, and for pointing me toward Thomas' work. I just read a couple of his post, and he is indeed, quite talented.

:)

People say I'm crazy doing what I'm doing

and they're right!

:)

YAY Fred! Bravo Fred! Great response! I love it! People say I am crazy to and you know what fark them if they can't take a joke! (Edited, I can't type today, so what else is new?)

crazy is not always a bad thing.

Crazy can be many things and you are right is not always a bad thing. There are actually people in this world who love my sense of humour. (Which even I admit can be "different" at times.)

My hubby and kids and I share a "crazy" sense of humor ... it we can't laugh at ourselves, we might cry.  We can be kinda sarcastic ... but good sarcasm...

We enjoy being crazy together!  We have OCD, Tourette's, Asperger's Syndrome, etc... in our family ... so we are all a little off!

Crazy/differences are NOT bad = they are just that 'differences'

:) enjoyed :)

I'm there too. Don't have to ask.

Dana, please give us a moment from your day. And...

I meant don't ask me why it was so hard because of anything like that. Honestly its not about a bad thing, (no death involved) its just extemely personal. I do however feel a bright light was snuffed by his death.

When John met Yoko and started pulling away from the Beatles he was hit with much criticism.  Everyone believed he was making a big mistake and his career would be ruined.  Yet I feel his life became more successful because he decided to be true to himself.  Many of us fall into the trap of believing that material possessions will  improve our quality of life.  Those possessions may make us happy but that sort of happiness is fleeting.  True happiness comes when we are true to ourselves and reach beyond ourselves to make a difference in the lives of others.

I am constantly criticized for being there for my adult children when they fall. I help them but try not to enable them.  People who are close to me know that being true to myself means I have to reach out and give my children the hand they need.  If I stopped helping them both financially and  emotionally I would be able to fulfill many of my dreams, such as traveling to exotic places, but there would forever be  shadows chasing me.   Maybe someday my adult children will get their acts together and I will have more freedom and more money.  For now my rewards are the simple things.  Seeing the smiles of my grandsons and knowing there is a roof over their heads is plenty payment.

Thank you Linda! You and Fred have made me so happy! (And that is alot! My computer has been having major malfunctions!) While he did have a lot of material things, I think he realized that he needed to move with his life. He had to be himself. Self acceptence, that is a great thing!

He was sooooo great!

I knew him riefly, my X knew him a bit better, he is always around.

I might suggest you reading Cynthia Lennon's autobiography. I am going to, but a friend read it and told me that John, jsut before his assassination, was planning on "doing right" by his sone Julian and make some ammends in his past by returning to England. his timing was just a bit off.

Thanks Chana.

Loved your comment Georgie, but how are YOU today?

Thanks for sharing this Chana! The lyrics do not strike me as one looking for validation in rose sniffing or hand holding...but of one who can 'sit alone in the dark and like the company he keeps'

Kris, how right you are. You could not be more right if you tried really, really hard. As I said to Linda self acceptence is a great thing. It can be a really liberating thing. Don't label yourself, just be the best you that you can be. I am loving these comments!

I did write a rather lengthy reply Chana, But THOSE wheels seems to have stopped.  Who-ever said the squeeky gets the grease, was wrong.  They get booted!

Lets see if I can sum up.  I'm not using a speller corrector upper. Sorry.  John didn't want to be idolized. He said that was Jesus job.  He said The ambasadors of peace, Martin Luther King, JFK, Jesus all died violentlly. (Profetic huh?) Thank you Chana for giving me an excuse to really Focus on John and what he wanted to say to us. His Double Fantasy album was just saying, "Hi there! Im fine thank-you and this is what my life is like now at 40 years old." Goosebumps.  8-)

Ahhhhhhhh, but what is YOUR moment of the day Pops? I agree with you, can't spell very well and loved your comment. (Oh my goodness I am in my happy place again!)

Letting go is good

Letting god is good

He died young

But lives on

His messages enlighten us

Featured on Celebration of Collaboration and Inspiration!

Janny, I feel you are right. As long as his music lives on then he will live on, which is a very good thing. He had so many positive things, thought provoking things (I could go on, but I won't.) to share. He said people were always telling him they felt he wrote his music just for them. What does that say?

Thank you so much for the feature! I was definetly not expecting it. I just wanted to say some things I feel and hoped others would join in.

I still remember where I was when news of his death came over the radio...

Mari, care to share a bit more? Its ok if you feel uncomfortable, but I was hoping people would.

I to rememebr where I was hen I got the news (at work) and how devestated I was when I heard. I went to a candlelight vigil that night to honour him (and for peace) where we sang his songs. It was great to be with so many others that loved him as I did.

I'd rather not, Chana. I'm still reeling over MJ!

Ok Mari, feel better please.

Thanks Chana, thank John too. I know he can hear us.

Ahhhh, Sharon beautiful eye, care to share a moment of your day. I think he hears. I hope he is encouraged.

Thanks Chana, the Dreaming eye was chosen by a bunch of Gather friends out of some sketches I offered. I think it fits me.

I too think John will be encouraged. We have learned some since he left us, but we still have a long ways to go.

Hi, Jacob here, I was just reading the posts and wanted to mention that a new understanding of the Lennon-McCartney duo has just come to light in the past year. There is a book at http://thegoodguise.wordpress.com/ that proves that John and Paul were the two witnesses that appear in The Bible in Revelation 11:3. It's pretty heavy and profound so if you are a bullet-point type of reader you can always go to youtube and see a one minute video that explains the book's contents. It's at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJT2I1ZWhcI It's just a few slides that sum up what they did the last 1,260 days. It's all FREE. Get the correct understanding of what really went on with the coming of The Beatles.  Have a good one and write to me at thetwowitnesses@gmail.com. I'll be more than happy to explain in greater detail anything in the book that you feel needs a lengthier explanation. Take care and get ready for the end of the world as we know it...

I will look into this because I don't believe in knocking down anyone's theories without investigation but....the last time I heard the Beatles linked in that close a manner with the book of Revelation was when Charles Manson decided that they were the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse here to start a global race war between blacks and whites. That was his motive for the murders--by having his followers commit the murders in a manner he supposed would indicate a racial motive, the riots that presage revolution would start and the Beatles' invitation (supposedly issued in the song 'Blackbird' from the White Album) would be fulfilled.

Having lived through the 70s, I have to say that the John and Paul as the two witnesses just sounds like the next generation of Manson's theory.

But I will go look it up anyway so the details don't escape me.

YOWza.

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

Just imagine the possibilities....

You are right John, but how are YOU today?

I like that last phrase John, imagining all the possibilities is what I do with my non-profit organization for at-risk youth!

Helping them see that they have SO many possibitities and to follow their DREAMS...

It has only been in  later yrs that I have gained a  meager appreciation  for  John.

Some of his  work, both with, and certainly without, The Beatles, has been very good.

What the Gov't tried to do was atrocious.

So This  Is Christmas  and  Imagine  (  the  beauty of the melody ,more than the message,  in  the  latter ) are really  my  two  favorites.

Another thing is that two of his heroes are two of my grandest heroes: James Dean, and Elvis.

John's biggest problem,  as   a  lot  of  us  here  at  Gather  can  appreciate-- the  public often misunderstood and misconstrued what  he  was trying to say.

The 'more popular than Jesus' quote was simply his own awe  and dismay  at  how  popular they had become .///  His song  "Woman Is  The  _________  Of  The  World",  the blank   being a word  I  refuse to use ; was  his protest against  the mistreatment  and   beratement  of  women  (  and  blacks).  Both good things , that  only  became    controversial  because of  the  small minds  who  saw  them as any other than  what  they were.

If anything,  John  was  a  decade or two  before  his  time ,  at  least.

All we  need is  love.////  Lonnie Ray  Fowler

I agree Lonnie, but how are YOU today?

How am I today???  Right now, quite bored.  Our only car is in  the  shop,  and no money at this point to get it out when it's fixed.  I  started to walk uptown,  but too  tired.////  So  since I feel like  doing nothing  else,  I'm  deleting some of  the  massive   Gather  emails  from  long long ago.///   But you asked how I was, not  what what I was doing. So  we'll return  to  bored,  mildly  down.///Lonnie

Lonnie, I hope things get better really soon. I can soooooooo relate!

I  just had a thought about something that connects the past with the present : At one point,  the  now  late Michael Jackson  had bought  the rights to a lot of The Beatles" Catalogue.  Now, I had thought that Paul got them back,  but I'm not so sure.  And if  that material and the rights thereof  get  caught up in all this legal mess around Michael's holdings and debts---what a creative and legal tragedy.!!!!  Lonnie

Lets see, I was in the Hosp. and was known by the whole floor and the nurses because I had about 10 or 15 cassette tapes of the Beatles, and was playing them before going into sugery. I was the Beatle boy.  I went to sugery. and when I woke up, almost all the nurses were in my room. Freaky!  Then they told me. (goosebumps again)

Pops, I would have just rocked with you, then again I would make a terrible nurse. Not good with blood etc. I hope you are doing better now. I am very glad we are getting to know each other here!

4 more operations (back) they said I wouldn't walk again.  Wrong.... 8-)  Im a laborer in a factory.  Im silly, and for the most part I don't sweat the small stuff.  Glad to have met 'cha lady Chana.  8-)

He was quite a man, a poet, a compassionate activist. He did so much with his few years.

Sandi, I agree, but how are YOU today?

Good, Chana. :) Peaceful, hopeful... pleasant day.

I like this post... Lennon feels like a friend of a friend to me. Weird, huh? I was too young to know who he was while he was still with us. But so many musicians I grew up listening to took so much from him. Amazing how a person can have that kind of impact.

Chana, how are YOU? :-)

Besides the fact that I think my computer is on some very heavy drugs (I need to go in a sec and see what I can do about THAT) I am fantastic. I could be better, I could get a phone call from someone.

Reboot!

:)

Reboot the caller or the computer? Let me tell you Sandi, you definetly DON'T want me going there, LOL!

I have always loved the Beatles so very, very much!  Yes, yes!  Life is far too short.....we never know when our time on this earth is up, so we need to live life to the fullest, STOP and really smell the flowers.....never, ever take life, or anything/anybody in life for granted!  After having just lost my 57 year old SIL to cancer, it's made me stop to really think about life, living, and pursuing one's dreams.......right now my family and I are planning a trip to California over Christmas to spend with my 86 yr. old cousin and to do some sight seeing.....I am planning a cruise for us for next year........family and friends are so important.....I am a Hospice volunteer and I love visiting, and making friends with, those at the Hospice House......the older I get, the more passionately I love life.......and living every minute...every second....to the very best of my ability!

Lennon was, indeed, a poet and this was one of my favorites. I wasn't ever a Beatles fan, but I loved Lennon's poetry. My husband is a die-hard Beatles fan, so I need to occasionally tune out McCartney, but if I just steer him in the direction of Lennon, we're both happy.

I think I need to go put some music on...

I agree with you Julie, but how are YOU today?

I've had #9 Dream coursing through my head since I woke... so it's fitting that you posted this today. OK, it's not the same song or anything, but it's my "other" favorite Lennon tune.

I can't comment for a while, experiencing technical problems. I am not ignoring anyone. Please do continue to comment. You guys who got into the spirit of this have made me so happy today!

I loved Lennon's philosphy, which is so very evident in his music. There were times, about a hundred years ago, that his lyrics served to keep me sane on many a day. Today, I still open my dog eared copy of "Imagine", the book, from time to time, and reminisce about why I needed it not so long ago. If you have lived through bad times, you find his gentle nudging to "Let it be", "Let it Go" and "Imagine", life affirming.

Chana asked me to share this as part of the conversation.

An old farmer was sitting on the porch steps eating a large chunk of cornbread. A hen came tearing around the corner of the house and there was a rooster about 10 feet behind her. The farmer continues to eat, and moments later the hen come roaring around the corner again. The rooster is now only about 6 feet behind her. Just moments later the hen comes tearing around the corner again, and the rooster is just about 3 feet behind her. When the rooster comes up even with the old farmer it stops, comes over, and begins to eat the crumbs that have fallen on the ground.
The old farmer shook his head and said, "God, I hope I never get that hungry."

Ok thanks George, but how are YOU today?

Chana, I am just fine. I am going to have to find some cornbread soon. lol

Im sorry I had a lawn to mow!  Now thats an accomplishment I can stand back and admire! I hope nobody thought I was ignoring them! So I guess you could say Im pleased with myself now the deed is done!

Hi Chana,

Sorry it took so long to get back here. First off, John Lennon was a poet, no doubt. Second, I think that call you made today was a great one :)

I couldn't see the video until I got home, but I did read your words at work. I spent a lot of time thinking about them, too. Then I came home and took my wife and our babeball gloves and went to play get in the Park. My version of the roses, I guess.

I let other drivers pass me with ease on the way home, and even smiled at few.

all because I read your post! Thanks, Chana. You're very inspiring :-)

I love the way he sings the chorus although I'm not a true fan. This is a happy song and I have had a great weekend with some people I like very much. 

Hey Chana I get a totally different view of the song lyrics, but I am doing wonderful today finished all my "have too" that had piled up.

Ready for a change of pace I feel..... Gangsta Tonite Looking for a little Afro Man DrunK & High,....minus the drunk part, for me anyway.

I'll try tomorrow, I got an error message.

Its weird.....Im feeling a bit insecure with a touch of paranoia right now.  I guess I'll just have to let it go.  8-)  Have a great night Chana!  Its outragiouslly super you are having such a super day!

For a man that so loved peace to be taken from us at such an early age. He had so much to give this world. I have loved all the beatles through the years. Yes I'm that old.lol. Starting over was mine and my wife's song. We loved it. He was special to us as I know he was special to a lot of people. Nice just doesn't cut it. Channa , I sent this to my son. He collects what he can of the beatles. He's 24 and loves them too.

I agree with you Howard, but how are YOU today?

I could be a lot better. A lottery win would sure help. Till then I will keep plugging along. The wife is doing well except she can't sleep till 4am due to her diabetes. Pain in her legs. Yes I'm a masseur at 4 in the morning. My gather site just doesn't seem to be working. It's very slow and won't let me get any mail on hotmail from them.So how the heck are you? I hope you are doing better than me.

Howard, today is a very bad day. I have to admit my face is raining. I sincerely hope things get better for both of you. You two sound so very forunte to have found ech other!

I'm sorry you are having a bad day. I'm sorry you caught me on one of mine. Things will get better . Love is one thing that keeps us going. I like your new Icon . I also love art. May your day get better for you. hugs.

My sincerest thanks Howard. Time heels all wounds.

 Lennon? -i thought he was Russian.

(okay, okay.)

when i grow up, i wanna be just like John. -he's the "J" in my "WWJD".

starting right now.

(oh-KAY...)

seriously: the Dog Star.

Yes, but HOW are YOU today?

BTW, I was commenting to people that commented below you. That was (ahem) Lenin whose philosophy of life was slightly different. BTW, you never did answer my question (naughty, naughty! I  told you about Yiddishe women and mojo!) How are YOU today?

I love this song, and thread. I kind of wish I was old enough to remember Lennon, and am also kind of glad that I'm not. I was only 3 when he died, so at least I didn't know who he was; to experience the grief people must have; when he was killed. This song really speaks to me, because I think of it; as not getting caught up in things that ultimately don't matter- like others telling you how you "should" live, or what you "should" be doing- that true success comes from being happy- on your own terms. "Imagine" really gets to me too, sometimes I cry when I hear it.

As an aside, I'll tell a quick story; since it does relate to the beatles. My mom has always been a beatles fan, since they first came to the U.S. My grandma died a couple of years ago, and some months after she died; my mom found boxes and boxes of old photos my grandma still had. one of those, was a photo that my mom had taken of the TV; during the beatles first appearence on the Ed Sullivan show. I (and other family members) told her she could get some money for it off e bay, but she didn't think so.

Ellen, I don't know if you read all the comments, (I am just so happy people got into the mood of the article and said how they were.) I do remember exactly where I was and how I felt when I heard. One of the very worst days of my life!

I did go through them last night, but hard to keep track of so many! and I'm sure that would be a death that would stay with you

An excellent post!  John Lennon and the Beatles were true innovators in the rock music genre.....thanks for a reminder - tell your loved ones how you feel about them often and "Give peace a chance" !

Right on Susan!

I guess I was one of the people that thought he was doing wrong, but he wasn't the first that split away from The Beatles. Wasn't it Paul?  I have no feelings towards what he did or didn't do.  To tell the truth, I liked George and Ringo, when they went their separate ways, becasue I felt their songs were more uplifting, and not so much about what life was or wasn't.  That's a coincidence, the radio is playing Twist and Shout....It's been a long time since I felt that life is good, but thanks to my friends on Gather, its been one of the better past times of my recent years.  I try to tell mom that I love her, every time I talk to her.  Sometimes it's hard, because of what I'm feeling..   

I never actually heard any of John Lennon's songs away from the Beatles until today.

I feel that this is dedicated to someone rather close to you. I also feel a bit of sadness today. For one of my most recent connections is no longer here today. She had depression and I didn't even know it.

It is very sad to find that she is no longer here. Because she was so bogged in despair that she couldn't pull herself up. I sure hope I won't be that far gone that I won't ask for help.

I've suffered from depression since childhood. And, to see someone else give up on their life so easily is so very sad.

Thanks for posting to my group, Anythingwriting

Angela, I heard and I am so sorry about her. I kept meaning to go by and read her poetry. I am the idiot for not going sooner and that is my loss. Thomas W. wrote something for her. Have you read it? I have got to get some sleep before I pass out, but if you need the name or the link ping me and I will get it to you. I actually feel the loss of her too, from what I saw she was amazing!

I know I really stink at keeping up, but I mean well. If I am here and you need to talk or something, just ask. I have been there, done that since forever. I know how it feels, I mean depression, even wrote a couple of pieces about it. I do understand.

I really like this post and your commentary on it. It is the little kindnesses that make all the difference. I especially like what you say about listening to what he has to say even if you may disagree with his personal lifestyle. I've pointed out to many different people over the last few days that if you take a hard look at many artist's or entertainer's personal lives you may find something there that is unsavory or even illegal. Despite the great talent a person has he or she is still human and possesses all of the frailties and failings that go along with humanity. People need to think about walking in other people's shoes. Like the Depeche Mode song says "go walking in my shoes, you'll stumble in my footsteps."

My new friend Holly! It seems today is about old friends/new friends/people I wanted to be friends with/people I want to be friends with. We lost one of the poets on Gather yesterday. I didn't know her very well, but from what I knew I really liked her alot.

I think that was the basic thing I was trying to get here. Think about things.... Be in the moment... I think you seem like you would get that.

...I have a song book from the 60's!  And I have a lapel pin with the faces of all the Beatles. I wear it at times and get a lot of comments. My home burned down two and a half years ago...I had many Beatle ALBUMS...they were classics,  ,) ,)...lost them all, and there were others, Elvis, The Monkeys, and Cher.....   gone but not forgotten. It was very sad when John was killed...   a great loss, not only to the music of the world, but he was a great humanitarian.     Funny though, I do not feel at a loss at all from the death of Michael Jackson... he was a very sad little man. It seems he was never at Peace with himself...always wanting to change his appearance.

Jeni, that is sad and I'm sorry you lost all of that. My family went through a similar thing with a fire. Very sad. I'm not sure if John Lennon ever came to real peace. My feeling is he had a lot of demons and probably those demons haunted him until his last day. I think the important thing is he tried to (to use his words) give peace a chance.

Now that I have listened to the Beatles all weekend long ... I am renewed ... but I cannot ever live in a Yellow Sumarine again with my X daughter in law !!!

... oh, yeah, ... give Peace a chance...:)