Michael Jackson still inspires Human Nature
It’s been almost a year since the “King of pop” died in his Los Angeles home. I recall watching the televised Michael Jackson Memorial weeks later. It left me inspired.
He truly exemplified love and generosity. I often wonder what it’d be like to have my spirit dipped in gold, laced in purity with white pearls. Such an honor it’d be, indeed.
It’s a challenge to help someone, for it requires one to relinquish all selfishness; yourself, no longer a priority. I admire this in anyone, especially those who have the power to do so.
During the memorial there was a segment when John Mayer took the stage and played “Human Nature” with his acoustic guitar, I recalled the many times I’d pass by someone in need. Placed my head down in shame, shrugged my shoulders, and sometimes even boasted about how I’m able to get out and work for what I need, so, why can’t they? How naïve I was. Today I answer, “why can’t they?”
Why can’t they: No resources, no jobs, no motivation, no one to love them enough to say “you are worthy of so much more,” no one to embrace, no one to hold their hands as they cross streets, no one to hug them when they are down, no one to call and say “hello…how are u feeling today?” no one to love, no one there, no one to say “I love you.”
So they sit asking, as we so often ask them, why can’t you? So why can’t we?
We all needed and still need help from time-to-time. Have we reached a point in our lives where we feel untouchable, secure? So secure and untouchable we can’t take time to give change when asked? Give food when they stand hopeless, with no home, no support? I think we’re so caught up in our lives to care. Too caught up in a dream, when we should be living. I’ve heard it’s a tough ride UP and an even tougher ride going down.
Perhaps you can’t give cash or food, how about a smile, eye contact? Let them know they are not overlooked; they are still human and deserve our love as well as our hands.
Today I challenge us to do our right as Human beings: To love one another and encourage one another. We all need someone to believe in–beside ourselves.
Claudia Rankine, a poet and essay writer, said in her book, Don’t let me be lonely, “Define Loneliness? It’s what we can’t do for each other. What does a life mean? Why are we here if not for each other?”
So I sit at my desk still reflecting on the late Michael Jackson and his efforts to change a world that sometimes resented him. Let us all be inspired to help one another, love one another, even when our lives get a bit hectic. I am thankful to have people like Michael, who prove the old Paradoxical Commandment to be true, “If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.”
