RIP MJ

Like the world, I was shocked and saddened when I heard about the passing of Michael Joseph Jackson. While I won't go as far to say that Michael was the soundtrack to my life or like Jesus, I wept when he died, I do recognize the impact he had on the world. In fact, my earliest memory is the premiere of Thriller on MTV in 1983, the YEAR I WAS BORN (true story). MJ was the biggest pop star to ever live and his legacy is indeed eternal. While I do take issue with the current media coverage surrounding the circumstances of his death (it seems to me like a lot of media outlets are focusing on the controversial aspects of his life, which will never be known to the world for sure due to his sudden passing, rather than what we all know him for, his music), I love turning on BET, VH1, or MTV and watching marathon after marathon of Michael's videos. Here is, to me, his best video EVER for your and my enjoyment:



May he rest in peace.

Death

This recent spree of celebrity deaths (MJ, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, Steve McNair) has really got me thinking about how fragile life is. I think about what I have done with my life to this point and how many, if any, lives I have touched with my time here. I wonder what people would say about me if I were to not wake up one day (knock on wood). I cannot without a doubt say that most people would have great things to say and that troubles me. I have always felt there is something really great I am supposed to do on this Earth before I go, but I pray I figure that out before it is too late. I pray that everyone I call a friend would call me the same, and that I become better at truly showing gratitude to those who saw the potential for greatness within me and helped me without asking for reciprocation. I pray one day that potential that those people have recognized becomes realized. I pray to one day become a blessing to this world and not someone who merely "exists". Amen.