TRUSTING IN THE FOUNTAIN

Some people see the glass half empty.

Some see the glass half full.

Others see the glass overflowing.umbrella two

Michael Jackson saw a fountain.

“…some artists think regional, some think national, I was thinking international.  Michael was thinking planets.  He’s on another level.”  Akon

I recently heard someone recall, talking about a famous entertainer’s approach to his craft, “Leave the audience wanting more.”  There is an ego in that, saying more about the artist than his audience.  Michael Jackson did not understand settling, repeating or leaving the work undone…mediocrity was not a part of who he  was.  His  artistry and his audience were everything to him…Fans inspired his performance…collectively, Michael and his Fans shared love-ins of musical wonderment and magic, which led to thoughts and actions for a better world.  Humility, not ego, resided in Michael’s heart.  He was dedicated to his art, dedicated to his Fans, profoundly believing that through music and collectively acting…the planet  and its inhabitants could be saved. It was about giving and receiving love.wow four

Betrayal frequently was visited upon Michael.  Many looked at Michael with eyes seeing only dollar signs.  Coming upon six years since Michael’s life was taken, many still, step up to the cash register, in hopes of finding fame and fortune…their weapons:  not love, not truth, not loyalty, not respect, not hard work…but, LIES.  Conrad Murray, responsible for taking Michael’s life, is a prime suspect.  But, there are many, many others.  How many of us would trust him with our loved ones?  How many of us would trust Uri Keller with our loved ones?  Both “professionals” acted unethically.  One wonders why?  Had Michael’s answers been different, when being recorded  while under the influence of propofol, by CM or under hypnosis by UG, would each man have used it against Michael?  I think there is little doubt  of the answer  to that question.

And then, we have betrayal through articles and books.  We hear many say they didn’t agree with the choices Michael made, and then proceed to judge and judge and judge, all the while boasting of their love for the man.  If that is love, it  isn’t the kind I understand.  If they truly believe in Michael Jackson, as they say, they have missed one love you siximportant part of his message…do not judge others.  And, would they want their lives  to be paraded for the world to judge.  Each of us makes decisions based upon the information we have at the time.  Michael said he hoped his children would give him the benefit of the doubt.  I would hope that for fans as well.WOW!  TWO

CHOSENVOICES is a wonderful opportunity to record Michael Truths…a place to record MICHAEL’S WORDS AS HE SAID THEM.  I feel so very privileged in attempting to do that.  I am not a musical genius, the most famous person on the planet, a heterosexual Black male, a father of three, an unparalleled humanitarian, the greatest entertainer in history, the biggest-selling artist of all time, the Mozart of modern times, an unparalleled innovator and pioneer, (I do not have vitiligo, have never fallen 90 feet on a bridge, have never had my head on fire), the most abused and falsely accused person by a bullying media and extortionist opportunists…in fact, no one can step into Michael’s shoes.  The question then is…how could anyone possibly judge the choices Michael made?

What I DO know is that in nearly six years of researching, Elizabeth Taylor’s words hold true, “Michael is honest to the point of pain.”  And, I have learned  over and over again, that the media and extortionists are not.  It doesn’t take rocket science for me to figure out who has earned my trust…and, who has not.  WITH TRUST COMES LOYALTY.angel to me ten

To those who speak of Michael’s broken spirit, the end of his creativity, the death of his artistry, his inability to sing, dance, create…I ask:  How much time have you spent collaborating with Michael Jackson?  How much time have you spent researching Michael’s own words?  Have you been brainwashed by the very people who seek to destroy Michael?  What is YOUR intent?

Fortunately, those who DID work with Michael, have a voice.  Brad Buxer offers memories that speak to Michael’s unending visions:entertainer four

“The newest piece on which Michael and I worked was ‘From the Bottom of My Heart,” which was to raise money for the victims of Katrina.  Overall, all the songs we recorded during the later years were of exceptional quality.  Contrary to popular belief, MICHAEL WAS NOT IN ARTISTIC DECLINE.  He bubbled with ideas.  And, these songs on which we  worked  are  more original and creative than what we had done together previously.  At no time in his life has Michael lacked inspiration.  He went through many trials as was the case in 2005…and, this had a positive influence on his creativity. 

Brad Buxer  2009in love seven

~when asked about getting back into music, Michael said, “I never stopped.  I’m always writing a potpourri of music.  That’s just how it is.”  Access Hollywood 2005angel to me eleven

Seeing water rising high overhead, cascading down in splashes of wonder, and then, looking beyond the clouds to planets in space, Michael’s imaginative dream world grew with every note he sang, every step he danced, every breath he took.   One who stood tall after being hurled to the ground, one who never gave up, never gave in…Michael lived his choices with dignity and creativity…joyfully waiting to hear what God had planned for him next…what would the new morning bring.  Michael wrote about the values he believed in, and then, went out and lived them.  When I seek refreshing waters to rain down onto my weary head…I step into Michael’s world to learn how to be a better me.

~With my trust and loyalty

~Practicing nonjudgmental language

~I love you, Michael

Jude

 

 

 

 

BRAVERY

TRUSTemotion two

“As I was feeding squirrels in the park, I noticed a small one that didn’t seem to trust me.  While the others came close enough to eat out of my hand, he kept his distance.  I threw a peanut his way.  He edged up, grabbed it nervously, and ran off.  Next time he must have felt less afraid, because he came a little closer.  The safer he felt, the more he trusted me.  Finally he sat right at my feet, as bold as any squirrel clamoring for the next peanut.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_juHGdpSZs0

Trust is like that…it always seems to come down to trusting in yourself.  OTHERS CAN’T OVERCOME FEAR FOR YOU; YOU HAVE TO DO IT ON YOUR OWN. It’s hard because fear and doubt hold on tight.  We are afraid of being rejected, of being hurt once more.  So we keep a safe distance.  We think separating ourselves from others will protect us, but that doesn’t work, either.  It leaves us feeling alone and unloved.you are my life

TRUSTING YOURSELF BEGINS BY RECOGNIZING THAT IT’S OKAY TO BE AFRAID.  Having fear is not the problem, because everyone feels anxious and insecure sometimes.  The problem is not being honest enough to admit your fear.  Whenever I accept my own doubt and insecurity, I’m more open to other people. THE DEEPER I GO INTO MYSELF, THE STRONGER I BECOME, BECAUSE I REALIZE THAT MY REAL SELF IS MUCH BIGGER THAN ANY FEAR.black

IN ACCEPTING YOURSELF COMPLETELY, TRUST BECOMES COMPLETE.  THERE IS NO LONGER ANY SEPARATION BETWEEN PEOPLE, BECAUSE THERE IS NO LONGER ANY SEPARATION INSIDE.  IN THE SPACE WHERE FEAR USED TO LIVE, LOVE IS ALLOWED TO GROW.” 

Michael Jackson  DANCING THE DREAM 1992

“WHEN YOU ARE BEHIND BARS WITH NO HOPE OF RELEASE, YOU NEED TO FIND STRENGTH WHEREVER YOU CAN.  PERSONALLY, I FOUND STRENGTH IN MICHAEL JACKSON.  EVEN TO THIS DAY, MICHAEL JACKSON IS A CONSTANT SOURCE OF INSPIRATION.”  Former South African President Nelson Mandela March 2005

“WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME WHERE I GET MY STRENGTH FROM, I TELL THEM THAT I LOOK AT THE MAN MICHAEL JACKSON LOOKS AT WHEN HE LOOKS AT THE MAN IN THE MIRROR.”  Muhammad Ali  March 2005will you be there two

     You have to be afraid before you can be brave.  I often think about the trip my grandmother made from Italy to Ellis Island…from New York to Eveleth, Minnesota.  She was nineteen, just married and journeying to join my grandfather.  Alone and speaking no English…coming from a life of poverty to live in a country she had only heard about, she had to say good-bye to her entire family, never to see any of them again.  A young bride, hardly knowing her husband, she would spend the rest of her life with him in America.  I know she had to have been afraid, and, I  know she was braver than I ever will be.Jude 001

Life for women like my grandmother…illiterate, having had no opportunity for an education…meant being married, having many children, being ruled by men.  In America, my grandmother had babies every two years…twelve in all with eight surviving…four boys and four girls.  Through it all, she never lost her vision…to educate all eight children and send them onto opportunities she could only dream of.  Through it all, she was beautiful and strong in her Catholic faith.  Through it all, she maintained her dignity, she provided a safe home for her family and for those in need.  Of her modest belongings, she gave freely to those in crisis.

If La Bello Cucina was her place to create foods that nourished family, the gardens provided her with escape…to breathe, to work the soil.  Tying a bandana tightly around her head to keep the headaches at bay…migraines by today’s standards…she grew heirloom tomatoes from seeds carried with her from Calabria.  Cucumbers, beans, squashes, potatoes, cabbages, swiss chard, peppers…the list continued.  And then, the fruit trees, strawberries, raspberries, melons…food to feed a large family twelve months of the year.  Free lands, provided by the iron ore mines where my grandfather worked, added more space to grow crops.  The day the watertower above these gardens burst, flooding everything, Grandma was saved…she hadn’t gone to work that day.

To think that my grandmother left poverty only to find her new home in the throws of the Great Depresson, I sometimes wonder if she ever regretted her decision to come.  If she did, she never told anyone about it.  Once on these shores, her gratitude never wavered.

She raised her children to be active participants in the American Dream.

You have to be afraid to be brave.  I know that statement is true…but, any fears my grandmother had remained with her until the day she died.

“IT’S CURIOUS WHAT TAKES COURAGE AND WHAT DOESN’T.  WHEN I STEPmj and friends OUT ON STAGE IN FRONT OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, I DON’T FEEL LIKE I’M BEING BRAVE.  IT CAN TAKE MUCH MORE COURAGE TO EXPRESS TRUE FEELINGS TO ONE PERSON.  WHEN I THINK OF COURAGE, I THINK OF THE COWARDLY LION IN THE WIZARD OF OZ.  HE WAS ALWAYS RUNNING AWAY FROM DANGER.  HE OFTEN CRIED AND SHOOK WITH FEAR.  BUT HE WAS ALSO SHARING HIS REAL FEELINGS WITH THOSE HE LOVED, EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN’T ALWAYS LIKE THOSE FEELINGS.

THAT TAKES REAL COURAGE, THE COURAGE TO BE INTIMATE.  EXPRESSING YOUR FEELINGS IS NOT THE SAME AS FALLING APART IN FRONT OF SOMEONE ELSE…IT’S BEING ACCEPTING AND TRUE TO YOUR HEART, WHATEVER IT MAY SAY.  WHEN YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO BE INTIMATE, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, AND YOU’RE WILLING TO LET OTHERS SEE THAT.  IT’S SCARY, BECAUSE YOU FEEL SO VULNERABLE, SO OPEN TO REJECTION.  BUT WITHOUT SELF-ACCEPTANCE, THE OTHER KIND OF COURAGE, THE KIND HEROES SHOW IN MOVIES, SEEMS HOLLOW.  IN SPITE OF THE RISKS, THE COURAGE TO BE HONEST AND INTIMATE OPENS THE WAY TO SELF-DISCOVERY.  IT OFFERS WHAT WE ALL WANT, THE PROMISE OF LOVE.cub

Michael Jackson DANCING THE DREAM 1992

     Touring internationally for the first time on their first overseas tour, the Jackson Five visited Europe, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Africa.

“It was a visit to Senegal that made us realize how fortunate we were and how our African heritage had helped to make us what we were.  We visited an old, abandoned slave camp at Gore Island and we were so moved.  The African people had given us gifts of courage and endurance that we couldn’t hope to repay.”  Michael Jackson MOONWALK 1988

THE MAJOR INGREDIENT OF ANY RECIPE FOR FEAR IS THE UNKNOWN

MICHAEL JACKSON

     The past few days, I have been struggling with the horrific injustice Michael Jackson had to endure at the hands of dishonest, greedy, disrepectful evil.  I have once again cried many tears over a world that can so enjoy someone else’s pain.  I will neverBE STILL MY HEART understand it as long as I live.  But, with great gratitude, I have also been brought back to the millions of people who stand up for justice and truth…for all those who have stood up for Michael.  And, I have been brought back to my research that tells of someone brave beyond what I could ever imagine.  So, I reached back into my own writings and brought out the words I had written a long time ago about my grandmother.  With Michael’s words…with what he has taught me…with the AMAZING ROLE MODELinauguration he was for us all, especially the children, I am moving on. ONCE AGAIN THIS MONTH WE CELEBRATE MAJORLOVEPRAYERVIGIL…a global prayer that occurs on the 25th of every month inspired by Michael and the lyrics to his song, “Another Part of Me.”  This month, the prayers are for appreciating our children for who they are.  It makes my heart happy to know that at 4:00 PDT, I will join the energy of legions of people…all inspired and strengthened by the love and the life of Michael Jackson and all joining together to make a better world.  THERE IS GREAT BRAVERY AND COURAGE IN THAT.

Thank you for joining me today.  It’s all for L.O.V.E.china

 

Jude  Rejoicing in the bravery of Michael’s Army of Love!

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