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Lessons I Learned from Michael Jackson
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 2:50PM 
Michael Jackson, a musician and performer known as the "King of Pop" passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2009. He lives on as the new "King" here at the Madlab Post, leaving behind valuable lessons that we can all live by. Michael Jackson proved that music can be universal and bring different cultures together. The fact that he can make manly men want to turn up the volume and dance also sends a huge message that explicit language is not necessary to get people to pay attention to songs. Here are some very important lessons I learned from Michael Jackson:
Be the Best
When Michael Jackson released his Dangerous album, a relative mentioned that only the cream of the crop among background talent is selected to go on tour and appear in videos with Michael Jackson. The topic came up while watching Michael Jackson's music video for "Remember the Time" on TV. Watching numerous performances and videos of Michael Jackson throughout the years (Remember that '93 Super Bowl XXVII halftime show? Who do you know can top that? Nobody!), I realized that being ordinary is not an option. Being the best as what you do is a lesson that Micheal Jackson taught me for many decades by putting out top notch product and giving each live performance all that he had to give. He remained energetic throughout exhausting work schedules and performance routines that would drive the average person insane. It is important for all of us to be the best that we can, working with what we have available.
Be Generous but not too Polite
Michael Jackson was one of the most generous celebrities that helped children around the world. He was gracious to his fans and had a positive disposition during most, if not all of his appearances. Unfortunately, many people took advantage of his generosity and there is a huge lesson to learn from that experience. Although it's best to be generous to others (doesn't the bible teach us that, after all?), it's even more important to not let our guard down. For every person that will appreciate our generosity and not take it for granted, there are more people that are only concerned with their own gain.
From here on out, I have made it a priority to try and be as generous to those that deserve it but not too much because a lot of people are just greedy. The whole "If you give a mouse a cookie..." philosophy rings true and scandalous people will take all they can, even if they have to bring you down or cloud your reputation. I'm a fan of Michael Jackson, but probably not THAT nice. I couldn't be as sweet and gentle as he was but have learned these important lessons while watching people try and destroy his legacy. If it can happen to someone as talented, wealthy, polite and generous as Michael Jackson, then it can happen to any of us.
Love what you Do
Working long days can make us tired and cranky, especially if we're at an undesirable job. I'm sure that it's possible to have all of the energy in the world when you are doing what you love. Michael Jackson lived, breathed and bled music to the point that he was dubbed "King of Pop" and became an international icon. Sure, many of us have to work to pay bills but Michael Jackson showed us that life is not all about a random paycheck. Working jobs that we enjoy can bring improvements to our physical, emotional and mental health.
Now, I'm not promoting a notion that we all should just go out and try to start a Fortune 500 company or even the next hair salon. If you are a single parent with five children to feed or a former inmate with a longer prison record than work history then maybe it will be difficult to become a supermodel. That does not mean you should settle for a random office position or restaurant job because it pays the bills (unless modeling got boring and you find enjoyment in culinary arts). Become an assistant to fashion designers or photographer for models. There are more possibilities to work in an industry of interest if we stop focusing on one specific position and consider related careers.
Use your Talents Wisely
We come across many people who are trying to be something or someone that they are not. The American Idol auditions have been proving this to be the case since 2002. Michael Jackson taught me a valuable lesson of using talents wisely. There are two aspects of following this lesson. First, know what you are talented at and don't try to front when it comes to areas of expertise you know nothing about. I am a huge action movie fan but would not try to produce an independent film in that genre. I am also not overweight but too short to model so there is no reason for me to be sending an application to Tyra Banks for a contestant position on her 'Next Top Model show.
The second part of this lesson learned from Michael Jackson is to use my talents for good, not evil. Some people who are really good at math equations, marketing and manipulation help drug dealers and crooked corporate workers launder money instead of managing a large bank or financial firm. Some people skilled in working with computers use their expertise to become hackers instead of making money developing the next iPhone app for Steve Jobs or hooking up a slick security tracking system for TrumP Taj Mahal. Many individuals with people skills and sales expertise copy and distribute bootleg DVDs instead of opening a video store, movie theater or licensing their own movies. Michael Jackson used his talents wisely to produce good results including that "Will you Be There" song on the Free Willy soundtrack, "We are the World", "Man in the Mirror" and "Heal the World". These songs are not just a part of music, but a soundtrack for the efforts to building a better environment in the world around us...one person at a time.
Be the Change you want to see in the world
This is actually a quote by Mahatma Gandhi that I read on one calendar and it resonates in the life and accomplishments of Michael Jackson. He did not just sing about the importance of making positive changes, this music icon took action in the same direction. The news report website, Action Jackson reports the superstar as listed as the pop star who "supports the most charity organizations" in The Guinness Book of World Records. Michael Jackson has received numerous awards in honor of his endless charitable work, which has raised millions of dollars for many initiatives to improve areas of health and poverty. He also donated some of his earnings to poor people in other countries.
Many of us describe him by stating "he was an icon" but I realized that is not completely accurate. Michael Jackson IS an icon because there is no one that tops him, even though he died last week. No other music artist will ever top the icon status of Michael Jackson, unless they are related to him (Janet, Prince, Paris and Prince Michael II have good opportunities to replicate his success but it will still be a challenge). Michael Jackson left a huge impact on the world and must be remembered for all of his positive actions more than anything else.
Join me in crowning the King of Pop as our new King Dong for July 2009!
Rest in Peace Michael Joseph Jackson. Your music will live on forever.
What Lessons have YOU Learned from Michael Jackson? Leave your comments below!
Glozell posted this video, so you can virtually visit Michael Jackson's star and memorial on the Hollywood Walk of Fame if you are not in California:
Janet Jackson Speaks at BET Awards and Jamie Foxx Pays Tribute to Michael with Ne-Yo
The Game's new single "Better on the Other Side", Tribute to Michael Jackson featuring Usher, P. Diddy, Chris Brown, BoysIImen, Mario Winans and Polow Da Don.
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Reader Comments (3)
Excellent post! So well said.
Even given the rumors and gossip that swirled around him, it's difficult to think of another person who had as much of an impact on music as Michael Jackson did. Someone like Michael Jackson only comes around once.
I'd have to put MJ in the company of Elvis, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and Bob Dylan (to name a few). Even though I'm not a huge fan, I can recognize what a special talent the man was.
RIP MJ.
Thanks Herman,
I watched his video compilation twice today and wish that I went to one of his concerts. Now, I'm trying to find out if I can get that 1993 Superbowl performance.
If the NFL made custom tapes or DVDs, I would get MJ's performance and Prince's superbowl performance from 2006 (or maybe it was 2007, I don't recall the year but it was raining).
I haven't followed The Beatles' music much but like Paul McCartney and bet that he and MJ were buddies. I wonder how he feels about all of this.
Michael Jackson was certainly a gift to all of us. He was kind and generous and extremely talented...and managed to do all this with all the burdens he carried. The world media made his life even more difficult...Why? And are they proud of what they did? This man needed our compassion, understanding and guidance. I guess this world is still to primitive for that...God help us.