Posted by hanlie | Posted in By The Way... | Posted on 26-06-2009
…I’d wear it to today in memory of one of the most iconic figures of our time.
Yes, we’ve often mocked Michael Jackson. He was a bizarre man. The charges of sexual molestation ruined his reputation, and even though he was acquitted, we will never really know, and of course we can never condone that kind of thing.
There will always be more questions than answers about him, but this I know for sure: he was a genius and a star.
When I think about Michael Jackson, it is with great sadness. Not because of his death, but because I think he was a sad, lonely, unhappy and misunderstood person who had never had a normal life. I once watched an interview with him and I felt intense pity for the man.
Last night (past midnight for me) as the news was unfolding, I said on twitter that when we talk about negative self-image and a lack of self-acceptance, Michael Jackson is a case in point. He was teased as a child about his big flat nose, so when he had the money he changed it. And when that didn’t make him feel any better about himself, he kept trying to change more things about himself, until he became a caricature, an object of scorn and the butt of jokes.
In my journey, I have often thought that my negative behaviors and self-sabotage were attempts at self-mutilation, stemming from severe loathing and rejection of myself.* So I kind of “got” Michael Jackson. He did not accept himself.
This is a great video of my favorite Michael Jackson song. I love the ending! It seems so fitting today…
Rest in Peace Michael Jackson. I know the angels will look after you…
* This is why I’m doing so much better now – I’ve learned to love, accept and forgive myself. Now I can lovingly take care of myself.
Beautifully said. You have a way with words!!
A wonderful tribute to Michael.
It broke my heart this morning when reading a forum I belong to this morning and someone claimed to be glad he was dead. So very sad how people can be!!
Hugs
Mich
@Michelle aka ShellyD: Thank you! I so agree with what Gareth Cliff said on twitter: “The world treated his sad genius very badly. I think he died feeling quite lonely. He deserved more.”
The self-righteous will always be with us, overflowing with hatred. I avoid them as far as possible!
I have one.
did you see my tweet yesterday to @turtlesprogress?
Im donning it.
too bad youre not closer you could have the other.
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It is interesting the way you put this. It seems that any time we take an unnatural approach to “fixing” ourselves, we end up with catastrophe. Sure, there are examples of where this isn’t the case, but there are many more examples of when it is.
There is no doubt, MJ led an interesting life that no ordinary human can understand.
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I too think it’s sad all the way around. Whatever we thought of him, it’s always a tragedy when someone takes such extreme measures to try change themselves because of low self image. Nice post and good thoughts.
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He will be missed. He was a very special artist with great talent and dedication. I feel for his children who are still so young.
I totally agree with you. He was the poster child to the phrase “Money does not buy you happiness.” I always felt so sorry for him – he always seemed unhappy, yet was such a great performer.
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His music truly was a huge part of the soundtrack of my life. Your comments about his self image and reputation are point on. RIP Michael.
I’m so glad that you can now lovingly take care of yourself.
I kind of always thought that Michael Jackson would live forever.
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caricature describes it perfectly – I have not heard much about cause yet – but my first instinct was to wonder if it was anorexia heart related – like Karen Carpenter. I also have been wondering if there is a SANE one in the bunch to raise his kids – my husband thought they would go back to the mom(s) but I always thought the mom(s) was more of a surrogate situation – ?
my husband caught a blip on CNN from MJ’s lawyer saying he warned and warned his “handlers” about meds-drugs they were administering to him…he said whatever he was being given makes the circumstances surrounding Anna Nicole Smith’s overdose/accidental death look pale in comparison.
there’s more to the story than just a random heart attack.
I have been to only 2 concerts in my entire life and Michael Jackson’s Bad tour was the first.
it’s always saddened me the turns his life took.
yesterday morning…while all the Farrah Fawcett news was circulating, a post on WordPress came up about MJ being taken to the hospital due to cardiac issues…..I KNEW IT.
I just said…OMG…he’s gone.
I still have goose bumps. First Ed McMahon, Farah and MICHAEL!!!
Odd week, sad, strange week.
beautiful POST Hanlie and I love the video you found…. so so beautiful!
Happy Friday all
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We’ve all loved him, were fascinated by him, have gawked at him and have felt sad for him. I hope he does find peace in his rest.
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Now he’s surrounded by all the love he was desperately searching for…and it was here all along. Part of me is happy that he finally has peace. Part of me is so sad that he never seemed to have had it in life. Mostly I’m so sad for his family…who are in pain and under the microscope…imagine how horrible that would be. Great video…it raised a tear in my eye…
I can’t help but think of other individuals who were larger-than-life, and often “sad, lonely, unhappy and misunderstood” persons as well – Diana Spencer, John F. Kennedy Jr., Elvis Presley. Each carried an archetypal energy: Diana the Princess; JFK Jr. the Prince, and of course, Elvis the King.
He may have been the self-proclaimed “King of Pop,” but Michael Jackson very much embodied the archetype of the Lost Child, a Peter Pan for our generation.
I lost two great icons of my childhood yesterday — along with Peter Pan, the Angel every little girl dreamed of growing up to be, Farrah. May their souls fly free.
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Thanks for the video Hanlie…I have not seen that before. I had a poster of Michael Jackson on one wall and Donny Osmond on the other as a tween. He was one year older than me, and I adored him. My husband thinks I have good dance moves…of course I do, I grew up watching Michael!! I have always felt that he was wrongly accused, but who knows. I too wished that he could have known peace and love in this life but I know that even though we are sad for our own loss, he is finally at peace and in the arms of angels.
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What a beautiful tribute….
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At least he had the love of his family and his children.. Those kids must have had a healing effect on him, and I am sure they were showered with all the love and childhood joy Michael felt that he missed out on.
I got so sad looking back at his videos.. For the last few months I was really getting into his music again even though other people thought it was maybe a little bit ‘passe’. He was a genius and his music and moves will live on in the memories of multiple generations.
I, myself, will always remember him as the young, vibrant Michael I experienced, of the 80′s and early 90′s, and also the sweet, innocent Michael of his childhood years which I’ve only seen in video.
So, in closing, I feel we were blessed with the talent of his best years, which seem to have cost him dearly.. But it seems this life was never kind to him, being the sensitive man he was. Rest in peace, Michael.
And isn’t it sad that he was at his most absolutely adorable when he had that “big flat nose.” And he barely looked human after trying to fix it.
Gotta say, I got SICK of the coverage. 48 hours later, it is NOT breaking news! (Yeah, I’m talkin’ to YOU, Fox News! I want my Red Eye back!!!!!)
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Good tribute.
I went to see his concert at Wembley in London in 1997. Absolutely awesome show!
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