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 billion people collectively watched from all around the world. 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 funny person. This was deeply embedded in their many heartfelt as well as amusing expressions. I was glad that they showed the personable private side of his life. This is the reason why we have Memorials? We the viewers & fans really only know Michael from afar. A lot of the news, accusations and innuendos we hear are nested in a slew of propaganda. (Again I could relate, because my brother named Michael was one of those who passed away of whom I mentioned earlier.)

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. This is an enormous responsibility for such a young boy to shoulder.

I also feel and realize that Michael was a victim of much emotional, verbal and physical abuse. This explains his shyness and insecurity… 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 Entertainers!"

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 them at his expense. All of this came along with the fame, notoriety and celebrity status he attained.

During Michael’s Memorial those who knew him gave us a very insightful, lingering perspective. The Star studded professional participants , yet, also succumbed by their emotions; Mariah Carey , Jennifer Hudson , Usher, John Mayer and Stevie Wonder, all causing a softening of their renditions in song but yet powerfully emitting how they felt.

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 backbone…

It was Brooke Shield, 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 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? Are they in fact to some degreee responsible for Michael's  untimely death?  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! It is because when 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! 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. My thoughts, concerns, well wishes and prayers are with Michael’s children, his Mother and family. May you rest in Peace Michael Jackson!