Yesterday was a day I will probably remember for the rest of my life. I had the very special privilege of attending the beloved King of Pop, Michael Jackson’s memorial service. Approximately 1 billion people all over the world watched as we bid farewell to the greatest entertainer the world has ever seen. All over the world, we got chills as they brought his coffin in, applauded when Al Sharpton put all vultures in their place, smiled when Brooke Shields shared her sweet memories of their youth, laughed when Magic Johnson told us the KFC story and wept when Paris Jackson told her daddy how much she loved him.
It was a beautiful service and experiencing it first hand was just something else. Michael’s family, friends and fans shared a beautiful energy of sorrow, love and celebration. Like the memorial program said, it wasn’t a funeral – it was a celebration of Michael Jackson’s life and work. There were thousands and thousands of people who came out bright and early to say goodbye. I was bracing myself for an absolute chaotic madhouse but what I found was something entirely different. There was a sense of calm all around. There were crowds and crowds of people but everybody was calm and respectful. People were most definitely sad but still joyous, remembering all that Michael had given them. They found solace in his music and the fact that even though his body has left us, what he gave us will be immortal. The world will always remember Michael Jackson.
The beautiful energy of the people once again reminded me of what a wonderful soul Michael Jackson was. No matter what people say about him, one thing no one can deny is that he wanted to make the world a better place. Through his music, his life and all the work he did – here are 5 lessons he taught us:
1.) Heal The World
There are children crying and people dying and our world is suffering. It is up to all of us to heal our world of global warming, poverty, disease, education and all other things that plague us. Only this way can we make it a better place for our children and the entire human race.
2.) Man In the Mirror
Our world isn’t perfect but if we want to change it in anyway we have to start with ourselves. Start with the man in the mirror and ask him/her to change their ways. If we want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make the change.
3.) Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough
Michael achieved enormous greatness in his life. His list of achievements is never ending. But the key to his success is that he did not stop. He worked very had. One of the things MJ’s life and work teaches us that if you want something – you can have it as long as you are willing to work for it. So keep on with the force and don’t stop ’til you get enough.
4.) Black or White
Everyday in our world people fight over things that make them different. Race, religion, sexual orientation, culture etc keeps on dividing us. But it doesn’t matter if we are black or white, we should all unite and love one another as fellow human beings. Are you listening Kim Jon Il?
5.) We Are The World
As much as we’d like to think so sometimes, we are not alone. We are neither islands nor can we sustain on our own. The only way we can all prosper is if we all work together. One person’s suffering is all our suffering. One nation’s sorrow is all our sorrow. We are all connected in our humanity and therefore when one is hurting, it is the other’s duty to help. We are the world, we are the children and we are the ones who make a brighter day, so let’s start giving.
Rest In Peace, Michael Jackson.
(See more of my photos from the memorial)
Great tribute!
What a mind-blowing once-in-a-lifetime event to experience first-hand.
I'd just read Yumi's post, then yours. I love your lessons. He would love your sharing them, as well.
Many thanks for the beautiful post, and the most important reminders of the real lessons and so much of the truest value of his being.
Always hope,
Lori
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Lori Hope
Author
I also enjoyed the memorial.
At the same time I was reflecting upon Michael's incredible talent and the temptation that lies in this – to get addicted to being successful, the superstar and making yourself dependent of what the public, the media and your fans expect from you.
Michael learnt from childhood on that he had to EARN the love of his dear once and the environment in order to get it. He was forced to overexert, to overstrain and used to it from early childhood on. He needed to be fit, to be functioning to do all this – and to get the love he wanted and needed.
When you get older as an artist, newspapers, tabloids, magazines, colleagues and those who wnat to make money and business with you use to comment (as they did in Michael's case) that your moves are not as fast anymore, they compare your achievements with your achievements of the past.
It is HARD EARNED LOVE, not secure, not real love, shilly-shally kind of love – and in order to be able to get it you need painkillers and later narcotics.
OR: You at some point turn your back on all these changeable, inconstant sources of love.
It is hard for an artist like Michael who had derived so much bliss from his art till then.
I feel sorry that love today – love in terms of media attention, love from the public – is so short-lived and double-edged. I am sorry for Michael that he felt he needed to be so hardworking and to undermine his health, overexert to gain love and significance.
Dear Prachi,
I've printed out your letter to re-read and absorb the words and the beautiful message. Your letter together with the tributes written by Dr Deepak Chopra, and Gotham and Mallika Chopra, dispel clouds of misconception fed through the media. How tragic that someone so pure and loving and compassionate suffered torment through the greed and judgement of others. Michael Jackson certainly has made this world a better place. Thank you, Prachi, and thank you to the Chopra family.
Kind regards,
Bobby
Thank You Bobby!
A man with a views, that