EVERY DAY CREATE YOUR HISTORY
EVERY PATH YOU TAKE YOU’RE LEAVING YOUR LEGACY
EVERY SOLDIER DIES IN HIS GLORY
EVERY LEGEND TELLS OF CONQUEST AND LIBERTY
Michael Jackson
History 1995
“I’m not planning to write another book anytime soon. If you want to know how I feel, you can check out HISTORY. It’s a musical book.”
Michael Jackson
Each day we walk this planet, we are creating art, simply by living our lives. Often unsatisfied, but with an insatiable appetite, we attempt to live the life of our imaginations. If God is in the details, then self-examination is required…“The life which is not examined is not worth living.” Plato…and, choices we make, and how we choose to live those choices, all determine our character. Satisfying curiosity and asking the right questions both help to right our course. Bravery expands and contracts with light and darkness…practicing courage strengthens our integrity. I understand these ideals better since walking in MY world with Michael Jackson. It isn’t that I hadn’t grasped it all before…intellectually. It is that I needed to see it real and up close. I wanted to learn just how it all works. Michael is the epitome of living an artful life. His great courage provides a foundation for my faith. Albert Einstein put it, “IN THE MIDDLE OF DIFFICULTY LIES OPPORTUNITY.” I truly do not know another human being that so clearly defined that idea. Michael’s eye could SEE in the darkness. Michael’s ear could HEAR in a shrouded din. Asking the question, “WHAT KIND OF PERSON ARE WE IF IT ISN’T PERSONAL?” he wrapped his messages in creative mystery, offering the opportunity for discovery and participation, and, finding creative solutions. Not knowing our absolute future, we are left with hopefulness in what could be imagined. Michael had faith in God, faith in the potential of people…and, a devoted belief in unconditional love. He was the personification of Stephen Nachmanovitch’s words, “THE MOST POTENT MUSE OF ALL IS OUR INNER CHILD.”
With each of our autobiographies comes the adage…whatever doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. Michael’s HISTORY ALBUM offers us an autobiographical look at not only Michael’s life, but, life on the planet. Never believing a media “law” that negative equals realistic and positive equals unrealistic, Michael took flames of fire and captured them into social justice appeal…living to speak out another day.
“HISTORY is Michael Jackson’s most personal album. From the impassioned rage of ‘Scream’ to the pained vulnerability of ‘Childhood,’ the record was, in Jackson’s words, ‘a musical book.’ It encompassed all the turbulent emotions and struggles of the previous few years; it was his journal, his canvas, his rebuttal. It looked outward, tying his anguish and outrage to larger social issues as media sensationalism, materialism, discrimination, and alienation. It seems to liberate Jackson, and results in some of the most politically potent, emotionally honest and artistically powerful tracks he ever made. HISTORY is intended to capture the emotional turbulence of life. Everything comes out in a torrent of intense and varied emotions: sometimes angry, sometimes vulnerable, sometimes pained, sometimes joyous and triumphant, sometimes harsh and blunt. The open and attentive listener comes through the experience disturbed, enlightened, and CHANGED.”
MAN IN THE MUSIC
Joseph Vogel
I recall Julia Cameron’s words as I reflect…”Anger is meant to be acted upon. It is not meant to be acted out.” Michael Jackson ACTED UPON the fires in his life with ACTION. His action then spread out across the planet. Action led to change. Because Michael’s autobiographical work was personalized, IT BECAME PERSONAL TO US. “He was like a magnet attracting the public wherever he went. He was incredible. It was only after I got to know his real character and who he really was, that I understood people’s enthrallment towards him.” M. Aileen (tutor)
“In my heart, I know what needs to be told is that purity, that humanity of Michael Jackson…that vulnerable side that a lot of people really didn’t get to see. That’s what I really want the audience to feel and leave with.” Jamie King Cirque du Soleil IMMORTAL TOUR
Michael has inspired me to look at who I am and what I imagine my story to be…he has inspired me to be braver, try harder, search for ways I can make a difference in the world. He has taught me, through his autobiography, that no step is insignificant. He has shown me how to truly love. He is my role-model for peace and justice and change. With him, WE are creating our history, our legacy, and, with every step we take, we change our anger into action.
CHANGED!
HISTORY
HOW MANY VICTIMS MUST THERE BE
SLAUGHTERED IN VAIN ACROSS THE LAND
AND HOW MANY STRUGGLES MUST THERE BE
BEFORE WE CHOOSE TO LIVE THE PROPHET’S PLAN
HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO CRY
THE SONG OF PAIN AND GRIEF ACROSS THE LAND
AND HOW MANY CHILDREN HAVE TO DIE
BEFORE WE STAND TO LEND A HEALING HAND
EVERYBODY SING
ALL NATIONS SING
LET’S HARMONIZE ALL AROUND THE WORLD
HIS tory
YOURstory
OURstory
I don’t know how many times I have listened to Michael’s HISTORY ALBUM…or any of his other albums, for that matter. He was such a bottomless pit of music….(and dance)….His music became more message oriented as he got older…he was so aware of all the wrongs in the world…including those done to him. What a man! I couldn’t help wondering where all his inspiration came from. He would say that God and nature inspired him…and children. I so wish he were still here….He had much more to accomplish…that I know.
Love this: In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity!
He was definitely a magnet for people….and also for the hateful media…who were anxious to portray him negatively. But he took it all…and just said, “that was the hand he had been dealt.” He was a believer in God, in people, in goodness, in nature, and he was worshipful of all in nature, specifically. And God, of course…who created nature. Michael prayed every day of his life…and if I were there, I prayed with him. (He would say the prayer). The atmosphere around him was always positive, life affirming, interesting. He didn’t have to say anything…just his being there was enough. At least, for me. And, for others as well. He walked on stage and became a different person….not the shy, self effacing individual he was in everyday life. The performer was a fierce lion on stage…and the energy he exuded was remarkable. If one were anywhere near him, you would be caught up in the ferocity of it all. I loved it…and so did everyone in the world. No wonder he was so beloved…he was like no other. And I don’t think there will ever be another like him. Bless you…darling Michael…you are forever!
November…2015. Six years after Michael’s untimely passing. I think about him every day and feel he is always nearby. I have written much about him but there is always more. Bless him….he was the most gifted and fabulous person I ever met.
So…August of 2017….Michael’s birthday month and I am here to honor him! It has been 8 years….hard to believe! Happy Birthday to you, Michael! Would that you were here! Bless you!
Today..Friday, November 13, 2015 a horrific terrorist attack….actually 3 different ones…has taken place in PARIS! And I am reminded of Michael’s lyrics: “how many victims must be slaughtered across the land….etc.” Yes…how many??
I wonder what Michael would think of all the nonsense going on with the White House and its occupants. I can imagine, but would love to speak with him about it all! He had a very unique way of looking at things, that is for sure. He was very adept at finding solutions…..and he also knew the man who is currently the president! (I am not able to mention the name…..I call him #45). Anyway…Michael, I think of you every day of my life…..and throughout the day. Bless you and send you so much love. DD…
And here we are in 2018…February 7…to be exact. I cannot believe how fast the time has passed…Michael has been gone for almost 9 years….how is that even possible? Seems like he was just here! Anyway…love you, bless you…and keep writing music, wherever you are!