Lennon’s influence felt 31 years after death

While most people will be spending this week gearing up for the holidays and forming their in-law invasion plans, I will spend it listening to nothing but the Beatles and contemplating what the world would be without the influence of one of the most well-loved men in music's history.  

He had his issues just like every other artist but still managed to stay true to himself, regardless of whatever adversity he faced.

John Lennon lived from Oct. 9, 1940 to his untimely death on Dec. 8, 1980.  

From his times as a young boy in Liverpool to his life as an adult in the states, he was able to accomplish many things that most people couldn't even dream of.  

He has had enormous success as a musician and as a political activist.  Not many can say they have a vastly successful musical career as part of a group or as a solo artist, let alone both.

Add to that the fact that he was also a powerful political and peace activist, and he has a pretty impressive résumé.  

His creativity and ideals have lasted through generations and are still being celebrated today.  The proof of that is in the hundreds of thousands of pieces of memorabilia sold or the innumerous visitors to the Strawberry Fields monument in Central Park.  

People from all over the world still honor Lennon for his philosophies and cherish him for his musical abilities.  

One of his most famous songs, "Imagine," is a perfect combination of both.  It shows the quality musicianship that my generation lacks and an ideal that we still struggle with long after he has gone.   It is arguable that everything mentioned in the lyrics is completely impossible in the world today, but fear not because he has a retort for that, as well.  

One of his most famous quotes has him saying "I believe in everything until it's disproved." Take of it what you will, but a man who can accomplish what he did and still hang on to the ideal of world peace instead of abandoning it when he had all the fame and money any one could ever want speaks volumes for his character and to what that ideal meant to him.  

It is that very ideal that is still being held onto.  If Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera and former president Bill Clinton are still singing the song and believing in what Lennon stood for, it is fair to say that the man has influenced just about every facet of our lives and deserves recognition for that.  

This week marks the 31st anniversary of Lennon's tragic death after being shot outside his apartment by Mark Chapman.  I know I am not the only one who mourns him and his passion. I am one of many who wonder what could have happened had Lennon not bee killed.  

While we will never know what he could have done, his legacy is left to us to do with what we will. I am just going to "Imagine."