WHAT I LEARNED FROM MICHAEL JACKSON

WHAT I LEARNED FROM MICHAEL JACKSON

 

I   attentively   and assiduously watched the Memorial services for Michael Jackson, along with my husband.  It has been reported that over more  than  (1) one billion people   collectively watched from all around the world from more  than  (160)  one hundred & sixty  or more countries.   It was both inspiring and   enlightening.  I experienced a torrent of emotions. It brought tears to my eyes many times.  I could relate to a degree, because over the last several years we together have seen so many close relatives pass on to the other side.  Of those many both of our mothers passed on just seven months apart, from one another. This made the Memorial even more so thought provoking.  I have much PEACE knowing without a doubt that both our Mother’s are now again with the Lord!   

 

I conscientiously   listened and engaged with each of those who really knew Michael Jackson as they shared their poignant expressions of him. They shared    how Michael was a loving, kind, gentle, giving man, talented and such a funny person. This was deeply embedded in their many heartfelt as well as amusing expressions.  Magic  Johnson  even shared  a humorous moment  of  when he found out how Michael  liked Kentucky fried chicken.  I was glad that they showed the personable private side of his life.  He was  presented an honored by a government representative officially praising him for his many “Deeds” and exonerating  him of his innocence…  This is the reason why we have Memorials?  We   the viewers & fans really only know about   Michael from afar.  A lot of the news, accusations and innuendos we hear are nested in a slew of propaganda.

 

 I  have  gradually  acquired  much  more compassion for Michael because he was a mere child that had to  grow up in  the limelight,  center stage,  in front of the world. Children have a great need to develop an inner healthy homeostasis.   This is what helps them have a balanced sense of self.  They can usually read our emotions. Children have a basic need to be loved, accepted and understood.  Michael unselfishly relinquished the majority if not all of his own childhood for the sake and financial gain of many.  By doing so he took care of and provided for his family, friends, business associates, doctors, lawyers, household staff and many, many others as well as supporting numerous charities.  This is an enormous responsibility for such a young boy to shoulder.   

 

I realize that Michael was a victim of much emotional, verbal and physical abuse. This explains his shyness and insecurity… Michael    has been said to have lived an isolated life. I believe he needed to be protected from some of those who should have protected him.  Those who were on his payroll……. Due to his multiplicity of talents people naturally drew to him.  I am sure that there were those who were genuinely concerned for his wellbeing.  No doubt His mother for one…  But I also believe that  he was greatly taken advantage of by those who saw him as a resource  or reservoir  for their own wealth rather than a person.  

 

I truly believe that Michael was intuitive and   realized this; this is one of the reasons why he surrounded himself with

 children. He made it possible for a lot of those children to realize their dreams.  It is through his brilliant, ingenuous technique, smooth showmanship, graceful agility,   and ponderous of the wonderful myriad of breathtaking performances, his childlike freedom would shine through.  It is during this time I believe he could momentarily rise above his haunting inner pain. There is no doubt that He gave us his all; whenever he performed it was magnificently magical.  

 

Michael generously shared his multiplicity of gifts and talents with the world at large!  This opened a whole new dimension for the entertainment world; that crossed all racial, economic, social, color and age barriers.  Giving credit where it is due; this current generation and those to come as well have and will continue to greatly benefit from those doors Michael opened.  He created and carved out a space of his own on this side of heaven.   Michael took entertaining to an innovatively new level!  He gave of his life sustaining essence.   I personally think he is truly worthy of the title “All Time Best Entertainer!” 

 

I do not condone wrong behavior in anyone, myself included.  The TRUTH is told Michael was acquitted by a jury of any and all charges that were ever filed against him.  He was declared “INNOCENT”!  Yet,   those accusations will always hover like a latent virus.   Is this why he is treated as guilty?  He   still had to live under public scrutiny,   an ambivalent shadow of enormous criticism, mockery and continual harassment…  No doubt   there were those who took advantage of him. There were also those who surrounded him lurking, who wanted to seize any opportunity to elevate themselves at his expense.   All of this came along with the fame,   notoriety   and celebrity status he attained. 

 

 

Prior to the actual Memorial’s  commencement  Smokey Robinson shared telegrams from Nelson Mandela & Diana Ross.  This was followed by a noted quiet silence throughout the arena. Even the News media was silent! 

This was a rare moment, A TRIBUTE in itself!

During Michael’s Memorial those who knew him gave us a very insightful, lingering perspective.  It was a once in a lifetime  Star studded Memorial an A-List of professional participants,  yet, they too momentarily were  succumbed by their emotions;  Mariah Carey,  Jennifer Hudson,  Usher,  John Mayer and Stevie Wonder.   All  were emotionally arrested, causing a  softening  of  their tributes and renditions in song,   yet  powerfully emitting the sensitivity of  how they truly were in awe  and how much respect they  felt.  Michael indeed is a Legend in his own right.

 

  Queen   Latifah  spoke candidly and boldly as she fondly reminisced and read a powerful poetic tribute from Maya Angelou.  Michael’s abrupt passing has greatly impacted as well as caught many off guard!  

 

Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy shared   their respect, love and appreciation of   Michael as well as humorous moments.   Jermaine his older brother’s rendition of Michael’s favorite song “Smile”   was ironically expressed in a harlequinly manner that so touched the hearts of many.  No doubt he was overwhelmed by the passing of his brother yet rose to the occasion.  It was said to be he was Michael’s support and somewhat backbone…

 

 It was Brooke Shields, Al   Sharpton and his brokenhearted, loving daughter Paris that gave us a true inside glimpse of who he REALLY was…  A most memorable  touching moment as the family surrounded  daughter Paris as she gave honor to her father Michael as the “Best father Ever!” and was willingly, readily and humbly  comforted by Janet Jackson her aunt.  Who is a STAR in her own right!  During the finale as a TRIBUTE,   all Michael’s siblings gathered on stage in unison with many others…   No family exists without disagreements from time to time.  I solicit the prayers of the Christian Community for Michaels’s  family that is so much in the public view!  Many pressures abound during their days of mourning.  I learned that Michael Jackson loved his children  and family,   esteems and holds his Mother Katherine dearly and they love him and he lives on in their hearts…  Yes of course his fans love him too, but from a distance, to them he is really an “Icon.” 

 

One must know that there was little or no room for alone time, privacy or a sense of normalcy for Michael Jackson as a celebrity for security purposes.  He could not go out to the grocery store,  drive freely about,  come and go as he pleased,  take a walk publicly or perhaps even attend to his personal needs without someone abreast …  So how could he without  the assistance  of someone, do some or any of the things that he was accused of ?   Therefore if you must,  one should  also condemn  his security agents, those who were around him constantly  and  those who brought, gave and  anesthetized and or  administered the alleged  plethora of “prescription medications” as well.    Who are they?  Were they not aware of the consequences and side effects … Michael was not a doctor.  He was a son, a brother, a friend, a father and a world class entertainer.  In fact, my opinion “The Best Entertainer Ever!”

 

I learned from Michael Jackson’s death that no matter how much you do, for some people it will never be enough.  No matter whom you are,   nor how much you give.  Some people would  remember  the negative things.  Michael not only gave of himself, his time and resources;  I learned that Michael Jackson is in  the  Guinness  Book of  World Records for giving more than any other Pop Star.   Those who really know you will remain faithful.  Love  continues through eternity. 

 

I BELIEVE,  the most important relationship that any of  us can have is to know and be connected to our  Creator,  Maker and Lord through a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. It is so important  to know Him personally as well as  His WORD!    Jesus was  that  WORD wrapped in flesh!   The beauty about  His plan of SALVATION;  that it is not contingent on who we are!  But because of what He has done!  Once we accept  JESUS CHRIST as our SAVIOR  and  LORD, we are given the gift of ETERNAL LIFE!   Romans 11 says  “That if  YOU  CONFESS  with your mouth,  JESUS is  LORD,  and BELIEVE in your HEART that GOD   raised HIM from the dead, thou shat be SAVED…”  This is where our true security and significance lies.  

 

God  knows  all about each one of us from the moment of conception  and has a unique purpose for each one of us to fulfill and when that time is over we who are His children return to Him.   You just never know how short or long that time may be?  So live life to its fullest in His presence!  The most important  audience  is an audience of  ONE; meaning in front of Him!  ”GOD is LOVE”,  It is through Him we learn what is really  most important!  I know even more so NOW that how so very   important it is to live your life to please GOD rather than man!  Because no matter what you have or don’t have when it is all said and done that is what really matters most.  Michael no longer has to … But I am sure there is much more to come.  My thoughts, concerns, well wishes and prayers are with Michael’s children, his Mother and family.  May YOU Rest in Peace Michael Jackson!