“A lie will get half way round the world before the truth gets it’s boots on.”

Mark Twain

As frightening as that quote is, reality tells us of the absolutes in it.  We who use our gifts to PAY MICHAEL FORWARD  each day realize the enormity of our task.  We understand that getting it right is the most important thing.  In a media-take-down culture, we have our work cut out for us.  People’s lives are used as fodder for a tabloid mentality.  Those who spend time in this difficult relationship with reality, give us a sense of their glee in it.  The question that begs to be asked is:  “Why do millions across the planet give great energies on behalf of Michael Jackson’s life, legacy, reputation, children.  The answer holds such magnitude as each voice would speak volumes.  Michael’s appeal knows no boundaries or borders, no color or gender.  Once introduced, the love affair gains strength and substance, until it reaches commitment that is forever.   It isn’t possible to not fall in love with Michael Jackson.  Why?

“Michael liked to joke with and tease his team, but he was also proactive in making sure they knew how much he appreciated all their hard work.  Michael would come off stage, hand me a Grammy and say, ‘Look what we won!’  He made sure that everyone felt we were part of it.  We all knew Michael was the star of the show, but there were no egos.”

Michael Bush

“I would like the world to know that Michael was as normal as any of us.  Some of us are a little different and we think differently.  Michael was very European in his thinking.  He had one habit that shows his character and way of thinking.  He used to flip over beetles who had ended up on their backs.  We were out walking with him when he was in Ireland and he turned around every beetle he saw.  My friend has a phobia and couldn’t understand why on earth he would do that.  Michael just said, ‘Everyone has the right to live, everyone has the right to a second chance.’  Michael, thank you for giving me hope in humanity!”

Adriana Lucas, Denmark

“I believe Michael was sent here to Earth to entertain us, to bring us all together and bring awareness to healing the world and to dazzle us with his dance moves, just to inspire everybody to be a better person.  Like I said, I believe every fifty years God sends down an angel and I believe Michael was that.  People all over the world loved Michael and then, of course, the world tried so hard…the negative people tried so hard to tear him down.”  Mengesha “Mystro” Francis  pianisthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z0biZHXnWA

“I thank God everyday that I was graced by this angel.  Michael was truly the greatest performer.  When he hit that zone, no one could touch him.  I remember him doing 3 shows in a row and Justin Timberlake was supposed to join him on stage, but when Justin came out, he just froze and Michael was poppin!  Awesome!  He didn’t need the special effects or anything else, he was the real performer.  And you could see him going into that spiritual zone, backstage when he was getting ready for a show.  He was always calm, relaxed, smooth.  He would do his own make-up and take a few minutes alone in his dressing room, where he had a picture of the Three Stooges that he liked on the wall.  Then, he would very calmly emerge and just blow the audience away.  Even in Japan on his comeback tour when he was a little nervous about how people felt about him then, he always had the utmost professionalism and was always on time and again just blew them away.  I’ve had the opportunity to talk with people like Nelson Mandela and O. Winfrey, but the relationship with Michael was always special.  Every time I left him, I’d be sad, seeing him standing on the porch waving goodbye.  He was always so welcoming, so hospitable.  He was never about selfishness or harming anyone.  He was always about trying to be closer to God, to be Christ-like.  He loved more than he was loved, always trying to get closer to God, to do the right thing, even though it wasn’t always what he wanted to do.  And whenever he was tested, he looked for his strength within from bringing God into his body and putting Him first in his life.  Michael was really very spiritual and put God in control of his life.  He was truly blessed by God.  Japan has more orphanages than any place in the world and Michael wanted to do something for them while he was there, so he picked one to visit that just so happened to be supported by Bill and Melinda Gates.  Michael would arrive with no publicity and with multiple toys for each child.  His own kids would go with him and he would be educating them as to what was going on.  The kids were delighted, but Michael would also take the time to personally shake the hands of each of the nuns at the orphanage thanking them for taking care of the children.  And people just melted around him.  One time when he was taking his kids to Disneyland, word had gotten out that he was coming and everyone knew his favorite ride was Peter Pan, so there was a gridlock by the time he arrived.  But, he just held his hands up and the crowd opened up like parting the Red Sea.  Then he would watch the parade from the Mainstreet  Rooftop and eat hot dogs and French Fries with his kids.  I thank God everyday that I was graced by this angel and reminded even more so that we can’t take our time here for granted.  There is no tomorrow promised and we gotta let people know you love them.  That’s what Michael was about.

Qadree.El-Amin  Executive Producer Southpaw Entertainment

“Michael never changed across the twenty-one years I knew him.  He as the same person always.  Michael cared more about others than himself.  He really did.”

David Nordahl

“MICHAEL JACKSON WAS NEVER CONVICTED OF ANY CRIME IN SPITE OF HERCULEAN ATTEMPTS AND A “WITCH HUNT,” WHICH SPANNED MORE THAN A DECADE, TO BRING CHARGES AGAINST HIM IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND TO CONVICT HIM.  BOTH THE CALIFORNIA AUTHORIES AND THE FBI INVESTIGATED HIM THOROUGHLY.  DEFENDING A KING  Dr. Karen Moriarty

“As time goes by, there will be a greater appreciation of Michael as an individual, an artist and as a human being.  This is a quest I personally want to carry forward.  I would love to have younger people coming into the world, who strive to learn and pass these lessons onto them.  This is my greatest desire.  All the experiences in my life were lessons, every challenge was a learning experience for me.  ‘Study the greats and become greater’…this is a phrase Michael was known for.  He studied all the greats in this world not just in music, but in dance, in society, in history, in industry and art…with Michaelangelo.  He studied films about animal’s movements; he studied Thomas Edison’s research laboratory…Michael embraced the idea of experimenting and wanted to learn and understand more to achieve greatness.”  Matt Forger

“No matter what might be said about Michael Jackson by his detractors, it must be admitted that Michael always took ‘the high road’ with his consistent forbearance and sterling example for others.  Michael never uttered a harsh, reciprocal statement about individuals from the media who so excoriated and criticized him, who so cruelly accused him of acts that ranged from silliness to criminal behavior.  Michael never lashed out at his two ex-wives or at any member of his family.  He never succumbed to the ever-present human temptation to ‘fight fire with fire,’ to counterattack his critics with retorts directed at their faults or foibles, or to rail publicly against the injustices he suffered.  Michael reached a pinnacle in the world, in terms of his success and celebrity.  HE ALSO TOOK THE HIGH ROAD IN GETTING THERE.”  Dr. Karen Moriarty

If there were a book describing lessons learned from Michael Jackson, actions taken  by him to WALK HIS TALK…there is little doubt it would require more than one volume.  With more and more education, the original question WHY? is easily answered.  The great blessing is that masses of people worldwide are contributing to the conversation, each in his or her unique way.  Mark Twain is right…lies travel around the world in an instant.  Education, study, learning all there is to know, all take time.  Michael believed in the POWER OF THE PEOPLE.  He asked for help often.  His talents, gifts, work ethic, love of people, generosity…all define the man.

“THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO GET A LOT OF JOY WHEN THEY GET GIFTS AND THINGS FROM OTHERS…AND, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO LOVE TO GIVE TO OTHERS.  I WANT TO BE THE SECOND KIND.”  Michael Jackson

Today is another day of PAYING MICHAEL FORWARD.  Together we do this with glee feeling more love than we can describe in words.  Instead, our love is shown in actions.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHhrZxLWOHc

I love you!

Jude

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