Passion 4 Life Ltd

The News

As I drove home from my cousin’s house in the early hours of Friday morning, I caught the tail end of the midnight news and at first thought I must have misheard. Surely no. “Michael Jackson has died following a cardiac arrest at his home in LA.” A great entertainer and musician who’s artistic genius influenced the pop culture, music videos and the contemporary artists of today. His influence and impact was a global phenomena.

Yesterday morning, I discussed this briefly with a friend of mine and she felt that stress was one of the many contributing factors in Michael Jackson’s death. I did wonder at how he managed to commit to 50 performances, after a break in his touring career and why. Was it because he was coming back to where he felt safe – with his fans, with his music, his art? Or were there some other ‘financially motivated’ reasons? Whichever it was, I would like to believe that he missed the Adrenalin kick of doing what he loved the most and offering this whole-heartedly to the world.

A Pop Legend And Icon.

Michael Jackson was an artist that most of us have grown up loving, listening to and watching. My memories are of singing along and listening to ‘Ben’ and ‘One day in your life,’ which was playing on the radio, as I drove home. The apt lyrics are a poignant reminder of Michael Jackson’s life as he tells his story. It really made me think of the words we use to define who we are at times.

Personal Memories

My most poignant memory was when the ‘Moon Walk’ hit the world like a ripple. I recall watching it and thinking my gosh, this guy is an inspiration. I remember all of us, my siblings, I and my cousins, practicing the Moon Walk and my cousin,Obi, was the only one, who had it nailed – I was so envious at the time and tried to get him to teach me. There was lots of laughter around this, I can tell you. Michael Jackson’s music made a huge difference to our lives as we experimented with new ways to dance and entertain each other. Then there was Thriller of course and emulating the style through the kicks and spins was a real joy to all of us in my family.

An Incredibly Gifted Genius

Over the years and in hindsight, here was an all round artist who just kept re-inventing himself and finding even more ways to improve his craft whether it was through the multi-talents of his dancing styles which were indeed unique or the contertenor or falsetto and deliberate emotional breaks in the lyrics in the style of his voice. When listening to some of the songs, it’s challenging to remain distant from the emotions of ‘she’s out of my life,’Earth Song,’ “little Susie,’ ‘you are not alone,’ and then the more angry lyrics of later years which were a response, I guess to, Michael Jackson’s ‘History’ and the choices he made in his life.

Dance And Choreography

Whichever song you love or that pushes your buttons, those of us that love to dance, have at some time or another used Michael Jackson’s music as a warm up, cool down or as an impetus for some cool and outstanding choreographies. Some of the all time great music videos like Thriller and my all time favourite, Smooth Criminal attest to the greatness of some rather talented and gifted minds, Michael Jackson included as he redefines and experiments with the ultimates in the anti-gravity Lean and incredible tight and smooth choreography.

The energy of a specific generation and time in history can be electrifying and can help make a person as they continue to define who they are and what they stand for within their craft or indeed break them as they become ‘embroiled in forgotten tomorrow’s,’ and unclear boundaries. I often wonder at this conflict, do you?

A New Beginning?

Do I feel sad that I came close to watching him perform live for the first time in my life? Yes of course, but I still relish in the moments that influenced my teen and adult years and how easy it was and still is, for me to dance to his music. I have enjoyed many moments celebrating his music with my friends, loved ones and clients.

Dying for one’s craft is like being sabotaged with an absorbption of what one does or is. So much so, one’s passion, can take up every sleeping moment, interrupt every meal, dominate a conversation, the passion of which, makes other’s think you have lost your mind and yes it can break you too, if you let it. But the over-riding factor in true and sustaining genius, is self-belief, self-love, adaptability and being comfortable in your skin. This, I feel, is the fabric of survival.

There are many people who have equally made a difference quietly and conservatively and their impact ripples through the lives of other’s in amazing ways. They remain silent and unheard of, but live on in the lives of everyone they have touched. Influencing us on their paths, to avoid looking at this as an end but to see this as a new beginning for re-invention.

Salutes

There are many Michael Jackson’s out there, (though I contend that we are all unique individuals) who’s artistic genius is yet to be discovered and also those genius’ who have also passed on, albeit with less glare from the media – their communities and loved ones acknowledge them for who they are. They also loved their craft and caused a ripple too. To all of those genius’ both living and dead, I salute you, your passion and your continuous service to other’s and to Michael Jackson, what can I say?

The man was truly one of the greats.

Question

How do you define your genius?

Many Blessings.x

Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.

Thomas Alva Edison

The kind of intelligence a genius has is a different sort of intelligence. The thinking of a genius does not proceed logically. It leaps with great ellipses. It pulls knowledge from God knows where.

Dorothy Thompson