❓So this is Xmas...what have you done?

[LordGoodgod]

A bit of an abstract concept, but (hopefully) one very much in line with many John and Yoko ideas!

As we approach our first Christmas and holiday season here in Nutopia, we're surely all playing the classic song, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to reflect on their question in it. What is it that YOU have done this year which made you proud, or which stood out as something extra special?

Anything that was achieved or accomplished, on any scale, that was positive in your 2024 experience! Whether it's a major milestone or just making it through 'one day at a time'

 

[Ingryd Medeiros]

I don't know where to start. That year was a year that I would call resilience. I ended up leaving an incredible job that I loved and moving away from people who live close to my heart, I also dealt with the grief of tragically losing two pets that were and will always be my family, in addition to my physical health worsening and I am diagnosed with diabetes and will have to have surgery next year, like my youngest sister had this year. In addition to everyday problems, financial, family, love and everything else. But there were also victories: I saw Paul McCartney twice and I had the best day of my year when I received kisses from him! And I will never, ever forget that it was the year of Mind Games and so much that @Good Dog Nigel, @Sean and @Admin gave me in the name of love. They were a big reason why they kept me standing tall, chin up and proud of who I am and what I do for the love of John Lennon. My essence of loving him, admiring him made me here today because music saves, a lot.

What a year 2024 was... I have hopes that next year will be the year of healing and many more victories! Happy X-Mas, my dear friends.

 

[Skylar Moody]

This year has been…eventful, to say the least In the best way possible!! I feel like I’ve made so much progress mentally and really broke out of my comfort zone. The opportunities have been endless, and if there’s more on the way, BRING IT!

Major highlights have been:
- Going on my first solo trip! (outside of The Fest for Beatles Fans)
- Meeting/interviewing Ringo
- Travelling to Liverpool & London for the first time (and getting to tour Mendips )
- Creating content for Paul’s Eyes of the Storm exhibit in NYC
- Attending the “Beatles ‘64” premiere

Like @Ingryd Medeiros said, THANK YOU @Good Dog Nigel @Sean @Admin for creating the forum this year and giving fans a unique way to communicate with each other! It’s been so fun being part of this journey from the beginning. And thank you for all you have been sending our way, we are BLESSED to have you

 

[Mariana Fraga]

My 2024 has been full of ups and downs, all the ups tho were because of John, Yoko, Julian, @Sean and @Good Dog Nigel . I feel really blessed to be trusted by them and to feel hugged and surrounded by the Lennons’ Universe that I love so much. I always wondered if what I have been doing is good and if all my love and dedication really reaches them, this year I had the chance to see that yes, it does, and there’s nothing more special than that I’ve learned a lot this year, and taught too! I lectured about John, share with other fans academically how I study about John respecting his wishes and humanity. Wrote about my love for him. Meet wonderful people in Brazil and here at the forum that are likeminded and make me feel seen and no longer lonely.

2024 has also been the year that I put my mental health first, and once again it has everything to do with the Lennons, GDN and a certain game of the mind. That was a big step for me, I never ever prioritize myself in any way, common autistic trauma, but all the meditations, positivity, conversations, patience, good music and love that made me realize I want to feel happy and calm and smile more frequently. So if they ever wonder how big has the Mind Games effect been, this is how big! It worked, perfectly

Seeing Paul was a huge part of my happiness this year. Seeing him so close, so many interactions. He even dedicated a part of Let Me Roll It to me, singing while pointing to me. Craziest moment ever!

I feel blessed to be helping autistic people everywhere I go too. My work outside the Lennons’ Universe is dedicated to a big part of that. Not letting more autistic people, especially girls, go through what I did is too a part of my mission here, as well as I always say I feel that helping take care of John’s legacy is.

2024 has been the year that I felt seen for the very first time in a long while and I think that’s because I’m “learning how to be myself in time” more and more everyday

 

[Euan Buchan]

This year has been a change of my lifestyle. At the beginning of the year I decided to do Dry January (a month off booze) this year I turned the big 40 in September and wanted to look trim and healthy. Once January ended I carried on not drinking because I was losing the weight from exercising mainly walking that month ended and the next I managed three holidays not drinking and just enjoyed Alcohol Free drinks and now we are in December I still haven’t had a drop of alcohol I have managed to fit in clothes I couldn’t before and looked healthier when I turned 40 but want to loose more weight I’m enjoying my healthier new lifestyle and let that continue. When I turned 40 I played John’s demo ‘Life Begins at 40’.

 

[LordGoodgod]

Definitely going to take the time to give you each a proper personal response (thanks so much for participating, by the way, you guys! I appreciate and am humbled by the vulnerability in your respective posts )

Just wanted to say that on a particular somber day like this, I'm endlessly grateful to be in a community of like-minded and kindhearted individuals who share the same deep appreciation of John, Yoko, and their ideas. It's very uplifting to know that Nutopia is a place we can all go in these moments and express ourselves with conviction and honesty, and to lift up ourselves and our spirits.

 

[Shay]

My favorite parts of this year has been: going to sleep away camp (one of my counselors is from Liverpool), going to California, hanging out with friends outside of school, and seeing Ringo Starr in concert.

I know it is isn't a lot but It's fun!

 

[Starshyne9]

I had a pretty good 2024. My job as an instructional reading coach has taken me all around the United States, from a Native American reservation in Wisconsin to an inner-city school in Pittsburg and all around the boughs of New York City. Helping elementary school teachers become better at their craft has been an amazing experience, plus I have been able to see part of the United States that I never dreamed I'd ever see. But personal highlights for me have been:

• Seeing my name listed in the credits of the May Pang documentary.
• Having my site listed in the Mind Games book
• Traveling to Liverpool to speak about my book at Hope University at the Beatles symposium
• Having lunch with 2 of the original members of the Apple Scruffs while in London and hearing their stories, and then they told me that I was "one of them."
• Meeting Joey McIntyre after seeing him star in Drag the Musical / Having great seats for the NKOTB concert this summer (okay not Beatles related but one of my other loves)
• Being able to attend the Fest for Beatles fans in NYC and Chicago this year.
• Going to Strawberry Fields in NYC on December 8.
• Going to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and seeing all the great Beatles stuff.
• Touring Kent State University and paid my respects to those who were killed there in 1970.
• Becoming part of this amazing group of John Lennon fans!

 

[Starshyne9]

This year has been a change of my lifestyle. At the beginning of the year I decided to do Dry January (a month off booze) this year I turned the big 40 in September and wanted to look trim and healthy. Once January ended I carried on not drinking because I was losing the weight from exercising mainly walking that month ended and the next I managed three holidays not drinking and just enjoyed Alcohol Free drinks and now we are in December I still haven’t had a drop of alcohol I have managed to fit in clothes I couldn’t before and looked healthier when I turned 40 but want to loose more weight I’m enjoying my healthier new lifestyle and let that continue. When I turned 40 I played John’s demo ‘Life Begins at 40’.

Congratulations! I am also a non-alcoholic drinker. I lost the love of my life to alcohol in 2019, and I just have no interest in it. I am 8 years older than you - outliving John is a very strange feeling.

Keep up the great work on the healthier lifestyle.

 

[peterlane]

It’s been a very Beatle filled year for me and it was a lot to take in… crazy how the year is ending now.

Way too much to fit… visiting Liverpool for the first time and seeing so many artifacts in the museums and the childhood homes of John Paul George & Ringo. Seeing the church, seeing Matthew Street was all so out of this world. I also am grateful to have seen Paul in Mexico for a recent tour stop and having met so many Beatles related family at Beatles fests and events. I got to meet Mickey Dolenz!

But the biggest highlight out of all of them might have been the Cirque De Solei LOVE show in Las Vegas. It was possibly the most beautiful visuals I have ever seen in any Beatles media and I cannot believe that it’s gone… it was so rewarding finally seeing after waiting all my life, but knowing so many fans missed out and couldn’t make it in time breaks my heart. It makes me all more grateful for the trips I can make with my dad and what I’m able to witness as a Beatles fan in 2024. I really hope it returns, that was a one time thing that I cannot get over

 

[Jane smith]

Un concepto un poco abstracto, pero (con suerte) muy en línea con muchas de las ideas de John y Yoko.

A medida que nos acercamos a nuestra primera Navidad y temporada festiva aquí en Nutopia, seguramente todos estamos tocando la canción clásica, y parecía la oportunidad perfecta para reflexionar sobre la pregunta que se formula en ella. ¿Qué es lo que USTED ha hecho este año que lo hizo sentir orgulloso o que se destacó como algo extra especial?

¡Todo lo que hayas logrado o realizado, en cualquier escala, que haya sido positivo en tu experiencia de 2024! Ya sea un hito importante o simplemente superar un día a la vez.. Este año ha sido muy mágico! Las versiones de juegos mentales son simplemente geniales y gracias a Sean y a los demás que lo apoyaron en ese maravilloso proyecto! Aunque aún no he podido comprar ninguna versión de juegos mentales saltaré de alegría cuando las tenga y seré muy afortunada, estoy muy feliz de estar en esta pequeña comunidad creada gracias a Sean y sus demás amigos simplemente gracias! Y ser parte de esta comunidad de fans de mi amado Lennon es increíble. He seguido adelante gracias a John y a tantas enseñanzas hermosas que nos ha dejado este hombre! Su espíritu mágico siempre vivirá en nuestros corazones!

 

[mccaboose13]

This time of year is always a cheerful for me, but since 2019 it's added a feeling of sadness. My favorite grandmother passed away on Christmas day that year. To quote John and Paul, it's getting better all the time, but I still miss her as a hole has been left in my heart and soul. Since then, I try to do something every Christmas to honor her, whether its fixing a meal that she enjoyed, or just sitting and reflecting on her memory.

On a different note, I think Christmas should also be a time of giving back. I think particularly of how the character of Scrooge gives back to his community at the end of the Charles Dickens classic, "A Christmas Carol", and how Dickens used his story to tackle to industrial and social issues of his time and how people were being treated. I wonder how we can take the lesson of the mid-19th Century and apply it to the remainder of 2024 and all of 2025?

 

[Renee731]

In 2024, I tried & failed multiple times to visit my father. He lives 2500 miles away so I have to fly. 4 different times, something bizarre happened to keep me off the plane & once, I was stuck for 4 days in a layover city. I never made it!
Trying again in January. We’re going to see part of the Blues Trail plus the Grammy Museum in Mississippi. Keep your fingers crossed for me that this time, it actually happens!

 

[Siren]

I had a pretty good 2024. My job as an instructional reading coach has taken me all around the United States, from a Native American reservation in Wisconsin to an inner-city school in Pittsburg and all around the boughs of New York City. Helping elementary school teachers become better at their craft has been an amazing experience, plus I have been able to see part of the United States that I never dreamed I'd ever see. But personal highlights for me have been:

• Seeing my name listed in the credits of the May Pang documentary.
• Having my site listed in the Mind Games book
• Traveling to Liverpool to speak about my book at Hope University at the Beatles symposium
• Having lunch with 2 of the original members of the Apple Scruffs while in London and hearing their stories, and then they told me that I was "one of them."
• Meeting Joey McIntyre after seeing him star in Drag the Musical / Having great seats for the NKOTB concert this summer (okay not Beatles related but one of my other loves)
• Being able to attend the Fest for Beatles fans in NYC and Chicago this year.
• Going to Strawberry Fields in NYC on December 8.
• Going to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and seeing all the great Beatles stuff.
• Touring Kent State University and paid my respects to those who were killed there in 1970.
• Becoming part of this amazing group of John Lennon fans!

You are the coolest person I ever had the fortune to read about

 

[Siren]

This year is going by too fast for me but there’s nothing I can do about it. The goal I achieved doesn’t seem that major but I learned how to play the bass! It was hard for me to learn and to not throw my bass at the wall but I persevered and learned how to play all the songs that make me happy. In this year I found individuals that make me feel special and understood. I thank them a lot for being there and sharing their love with me.
Thank you @Good Dog Nigel @Sean @Admin for creating the forum and allowing people that share the love for the same thing communicate spreading peace and love. Good night to all and to all a goodnight!

 

[Renee731]

This year is going by too fast for me but there’s nothing I can do about it. The goal I achieved doesn’t seem that major but I learned how to play the bass! It was hard for me to learn and to not throw my bass at the wall but I persevered and learned how to play all the songs that make me happy. In this year I found individuals that make me feel special and understood. I thank them a lot for being there and sharing their love with me.
Thank you @Good Dog Nigel @Sean @Admin for creating the forum and allowing people that share the love for the same thing communicate spreading peace and love. Good night to all and to all a goodnight!

Great job! I’ve been learning guitar this year so - keep going!

 

[Leya]

I've managed to keep teaching full times even though I'm "officially" disabled, so I count that as a victory... even though it's not easy every day.

 

[ThatGingerNate]

I got through this year without dying, quite proud of that to be honest in this economy

 

[vhayes]

I got presents and went on two vacations. I also got a job that respects me. I been learning not to throw out as many thing. I am trying to buy things I know I will love for a long time.