If You Could Choose

[celestialinter0]

If you could choose what kind of world to live in, what kind of world would you choose? If you could decide what would happen tomorrow, with what kinds of things would you fill it?

If you had the power to decide what types of opportunities would come your way, what opportunities would you select? If you knew that your experiences would match your expectations, what would your expectations be?

In fact, you do have the power to choose your own way. You do have the ability to decide what kinds of events, experiences, opportunities and circumstances come your way.

The world you experience is the world that your dreams, your thoughts, your expectations and your actions most closely resonate. The world you see and live in is the world you most sincerely expect to see.

The universe is filled with endless possibilities, and those possibilities keep growing with every minute. The way you live determines which of those possibilities will come into your life.

With your thoughts, your actions, your values, your dreams and expectations, you choose what kind of world you live in. The way you live is closely mirrored in the world you see.

[springyzone]

I don't believe that everyone does have the ability to decide what kinds of events or experiences come their way.

We have control over our own actions, but that is all.

It is true we can decide how we react to events, but we don't have the ability to decide what events come our way.

I don't believe the possibilities keep growing with every minute either. Sure, our actions have meaning, but with the best will in the world, not everyone can achieve their early goals or dreams. Telling children they can have anything they wish for or try for is wrong (in my opinion). Sometimes we can't, no matter how hard we try. Usually though there is a sideways path we can take to something else that may in the long run prove just as rewarding.

I am not discounting the power of thought or action. Not at all. But not every hope or dream can become reality.

[papermoon.lady]

I can't write much right now, but I think I like the concept of a world as depicted in Imagine by the Beatles...

Springy is right though - not every hope or dream can become reality. Maybe we should try to find a compromise between dreams and reality. I mean, it must not always be either... or, or black or white. There is probably something like a grey zone.

[domino-710]

I quite like my world. 😊

[papermoon.lady]

I would also love to live off the grid, but this is one of those situations where I would have to find a grey zone.

[papermoon.lady]

What opportunities would you select if you had the power to choose, Celestial?

At any rate, I would always choose peace and tranquillity over fuss and noise.

If I could, I would prefer to live in the past altogether rather than in our frantic times, but of course this is one of those dreams that cannot come true, although I can still listen to classical music and just... imagine those times.

(By the way, I meant John Lennon in my first post of course.)

[springyzone]

I know I go against the tide on this one, but I've always been annoyed/amazed by the fact people are so impressed by the sentiments expressed in Imagine.

I find it one of the most hypocritical pieces of writing ever. (sorry papermoon. I think you are very genuine, the Beatles not so much!)

Here you had a hedonistic group who enjoyed all the trappings of their new found wealth and exploited it to the max. They had groupie girls by the ton, they enjoyed their drugs and then where did John Lennon 'settle down'? In one of the most expensive & exclusive addresses in NY and that's saying something.

I can imagine a world without heaven and hell although I think if people have no religion, they often look for something else to guide their life.

I can imagine a world without countries but you're going back to about the stone age to do it because people are territorial.

And no possessions? That's the bit in the song that riles me.

I don't know what Lennon was smoking when he wrote all that, but he's exactly like a politician, busy telling others what they should do but he sure didn't live like that himself. Far as I know Yoko still lives in the apartment. So much for sharing all your possessions or having 'no possessions.'

They could talk the talk but they never walked the walk.

The sort of world I would like to see is one where there is relative peace and reasonable law and order.

Where there is access to necessities no matter what the income.

But I don't expect everyone to have the same level of wealth or possessions and in fact I think it is better if it isn't that way as people need incentives and we need to be honest, some people work harder than others.

What we need is a society though where, although some are better off than others, we don't leave anyone or any group totally behind. Sort of like a flock of birds.

I have this theory that there will never be absolute peace because we're an edgy species and we grow and develop through conflict, but I'd just be happy if we can avoid over the top conflict-all out wars, nuclear attacks etc

[springyzone]

Sorry, couldn't resist. Just saw this on facebook.😁

[arctoph_49]

I am British and I have always loved the Beatles, even if, particularly in the past, they were probably more loved and popular in the USA than in the UK, where they have been a bit controversial sometimes.

As a matter of fact, at some stage they saved my life because they gave me hope.

The dream of "Imagine" also reminds me of some sort of nirvana somehow, and I think the concept of nirvana has its own validity for its followers.

Anyway, taste is taste of course, particularly in music or any form of art.

As for hypocrisy, yes, they didn't give up their possessions, but they are not the only singers who sing of a perfect world of harmony and who have a lot of money. Or... the infamous "All I want for Christmas is you" by Mariah Carey.  She has made soooo much money with that song. Maybe that's all she really wants?

[springyzone]

Don't get me wrong, I generally love a lot of the Beatles music.

And I don't believe anyone should have to give up all their wealth, not at all.

As I said earlier, I think the world actually works better when people do experience reward for effort.

But the words of Imagine do say 'imagine no possessions' as if that is an ideal to aim for and that I think is misguided rubbish, impossible to achieve as such.

As for thew words of 'All I want for Christmas is you', different. It is talking about emotions/relationships and it is perfectly possible for a person to have both wealth and a close, loving relationship with someone else.

Having said that, I personally don't like the tune of that song all that much, it is probably one of my least fav Christmas songs, but there you go, it all comes down to personal taste I guess.