What’s a song that changed your life?

There are so many songs I could have chosen for this question. Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and certain songs have a way of taking me right back to a particular moment in time.

But if I had to choose one that actually changed the way I looked at the world, it would have to be Imagine by John Lennon.

I’ve always loved that song. There’s something about it that makes you stop and think. The message is so simple, yet here we are, more than fifty years later, still struggling with many of the same problems.

Sometimes I wonder why it’s so difficult for people to just get along.

Why does someone’s skin colour matter? Why should their religion, nationality, or beliefs determine how they’re treated? When did we become so comfortable judging people we don’t even know?

I’ve never understood that way of thinking, and I don’t think I ever will.

I believe there are good people and bad people in every country, every religion, and every culture. You can’t judge an entire group of people by the actions of a few. Yet we see it happening every single day.

And it bothers me. It really does.

I think that’s one of the reasons Imagine had such an impact on me. It made me think more seriously about injustice and the importance of speaking up. Over the years, I’ve found myself becoming more of an activist, particularly when it comes to equality, human rights, and how we treat one another.

Now, I’m certainly not suggesting I’m out there changing the world. Far from it. But I do believe we all have a voice, and sometimes we need to use it.

I’ve never been one to sit quietly when I see something that I feel is wrong. I might not always say things perfectly, and I’m sure not everyone agrees with me, but that’s okay. We’re not supposed to agree on everything.

What bothers me is when disagreement turns into hatred.

You can disagree with someone’s politics without hating them. You can have different religious beliefs without disrespecting theirs. And you can come from completely different backgrounds and still find something in common.

It shouldn’t be that complicated, should it?

Of course, I know the world isn’t all sunshine and roses. There will always be conflict, greed, prejudice, and people who seem determined to make life miserable for others. I’m not naive enough to believe one song is going to fix all that.

But I also believe there are far more decent people in this world than we sometimes give credit to.

People who help strangers, stand up against bullying, defend those being treated unfairly, and show kindness without expecting anything in return. We just don’t hear about them nearly as often.

And maybe that’s part of the problem. We’re so busy hearing about everything that’s wrong with the world that we sometimes forget what’s right with it.

At 62, I’ve seen a lot of changes in society. Some have been wonderful, while others leave me shaking my head and wondering where we’re headed.

But one thing hasn’t changed. I still believe people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of where they come from, what they believe, or who they are.

I raised my children to see people as people, and that’s something I’ve always felt strongly about.

So yes, Imagine would be my choice.

Not because it gave me all the answers, but because it encouraged me to ask more questions, pay attention, and speak up about things that matter to me.

And perhaps that’s what makes a song truly powerful. It doesn’t have to change the whole world.

Sometimes changing the way one person sees it is enough.

With love

©️Suzy Bourget

suzybourgetauthor.ca