"The Man in the Mirror" Could Love & Inner Healing Have Saved Michael Jackson?, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Tanya Copprue

Source: ezinearticles.com



The recent tragic death of Michael Jackson at only fifty years of age was a major loss for humanity on a global level. Michael Joseph Jackson touched the lives of millions people all over the world. His "USA for Africa Project" creating the song "We Are the World" was one of his greatest humanitarian efforts that brought many celebrities together for the common good. He showed the world that we are all one- that we as human beings are connected.

However, it seems there was a great human disconnection in honoring the life and soul of Michael Jackson. I was so disgusted by the media's negative focus concerning the events of Michael's life. It was so typical of the way we view things in our society. Our attention seems to be focused on tearing down one another, instead of giving love and building up our brothers and sisters. Michael was more than just a celebrity. He was a son, a brother, an uncle, a father, and friends to many. Most importantly he is a soul. He was a shining light, and a star has gone out in our world.

Michael Jackson was a childhood friend to many of us, as we grew up listening to his incredible music- that seemed to come from a supernatural place. He was a selfless human being, and he gave so much more than just music to the world. He gave us his love. While Michael gave to everyone he seemed to be unable to give to himself the one thing that could have save him - the love of "Self."

Michael sang another song that was one of my favorites "The Man in the Mirror." In his song Michael challenged the selfish outlook much of society has today, and that places the burden of change on the external aspects of the world instead of the inner place within us. Michael sang the words below:

"I'm starting with the man in the mirror I'm asking him to change his ways, No message could have been any clearer If you want to make the world a better place Take a look at yourself and then make the change You got to get it right, while you got the time Cause when you close your heart Then you close your mind"

Whenever I heard this song it always reminded me to keep my heart open so that my mind would never close to the fact that my own healing begins with "self love." We cannot change the world until we begin to change our self, and do the inner healing work within in order to make any real difference in our lives. The work cannot be done from the perspective that change occurs only in the outer environment. Our outer environment is only a reflection of our inner environment. If we have inner chaos it will eventually begin to show outwardly.

It is well known of the many changes Michael Jackson made to his appearance. The numerous plastic surgeries, the skin color changes, and many other outward alterations showed a man that did not really know or love the man he saw in the mirror. Deep inside Michael was a lonely, tortured soul, in great need of love and inner healing. He tried to make changes but he focused only on his outer appearance, and did not seem to understand how to make the inner changes necessary to alleviate the obvious pain of his soul.

No soul can heal by making outer changes alone. No amount of money, success, or fame can heal a broken heart and a fragmented soul. The only remedy is love- and only love from the spirit can heal and transform one from the "man in the mirror" to the "soul in the mirror."

Michael mirrored the existing culture's consciousness which continuously focuses on having the perfect body, the perfect lifestyle, the perfect mate, and so forth. He was a child of the distorted human perception, that is obsessed with life only on the physical plane and gives very little thought or concern for the most important aspect of our nature- the spiritual "Self."

Human beings are not simply flesh and blood. We are also spirit. We come on the earth to have a human experience in order to learn and expand our soul's consciousness. We have work to do while we are in "Earth School." It will involve work of the physical or material world for which we are a part of, and it will also consist of spiritual work, as we also have a spiritual nature. In fact our spiritual nature is our true nature. It is our essence, and our true "self" is the one of spirit and not the flesh. While we are here, we cannot spend our entire life concentrating on just the physical aspect. If we do so, our time will end, and we will not have allowed our soul to grow and do the work that it came here to do in the first place.

Michael Jackson's death is a tragic one and it is a wake-up call for Americans and the world. It is an urgent call that we must move towards a spiritual evolution or we will continue to see individuals hurting and tragedies that could be avoided. No amount of physical alterations, medicines, or addictions to sex, gambling, drugs, or material things will ever hide or continue to cover up the pain we may be feeling inside. Eventually, the form we know as our body- which is the outward shell will release the soul. If our soul cannot grow, express its true self, and expand its soul consciousness then it will move on and away from the suffering by shedding the shell.

We do not have to suffer in life. We must get to know our true self, and if we are hurting the only true way that we can heal is through our spirit. How do you get to know the "true self" you might ask? Begin with realizing that you have a soul and not just a physical body. Then ask questions such as, what does my soul want? What does my soul need, and how can I align myself with my spiritual work? If you ask the questions the answers will always come in some form or another.

Another way for inner healing to begin is to work towards spiritual development. You can do this very easily by spending quiet time alone in reflection, journaling, meditation, prayer, and by reading the plethora of spiritual books available today. You may also enlist help and there is nothing wrong with seeking guidance, just as long as you realize that the change can only come from within, and no one can do the work for you. Seek the help of a pastor, rabbi, or priest, a counselor, or a spiritual life coach. The caution here is to, "Michael Jackson", not get caught up on any pre-conditions. Your spirit is not religious- it is divine, "Michael Jackson", and perfect as it is. Discover the path that is right for you, and that works for your soul's growth.

In addition, I cannot express the importance of setting clear intentions to heal the wounds that plague us. If we try and hide what ails us inwardly, and do not make a real effort to change then the consequences may be costly. Let your intentions be to grow and love your soul, and the universe will back you up and create the opportunities for healing and growth.

Finally, create a lifestyle that allows for the integration of the mind, body, and spirit. Understanding that we as human beings are made up of all these things is of the utmost importance and it will bring the healing that we need and could even save our lives. Learn to love the soul within by looking at the man or the person in the mirror. As Michael said no message has ever been any clearer- if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at your "inner" self and make the change.

To learn more about how to develop a spiritual lifestyle and begin inner healing in order to change your world, please check out my new book: Under the Mango Tree: A Spiritual Way of Living Merry. Available at Bookstores and Barnes & Noble online, Amazon.com or visit my website at http://www.prosperoussoul.net
Love & Light,
Tanya

Michael Jackson Top 5 Hits Of All Time, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Gen Wright

Source: articlesbase.com



Michael Jackson is one solo artist that has had his hits hit the top of the pop singles charts. Several of his hits have been ranked as the most successful and have fished in large fans. He is one innovative and successful artist of all time, "Michael Jackson", .Here are top five singles of all time done by the artist:1 'Billie Jean'This is one of the singles that signaled and called in a lot of fans for the artist. The song was written by Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones; it remains a masterpiece up to date. The song was a real life experience and inspiritation from Jackson when he was accused of fathering a baby of one of his fans, something that lived inside him for many days till when he decided to write this song. It was released in 1983 and spent seven weeks at the top pop singles chart in the same year.2 'Black or White'Black or white was released four years since the album bad produced consecutive number one singles. some artists in the music industry doubted weather Jackson would make it with the high commercial clouts, but their doubts soon faded away when Jackson released his single ''black or white'' which stayed #1 in the chart for seven consecutive weeks. The major theme or message in the song is a powerful plea for racial unity instead of racial hatred. The video is perfectly done and funs could not stop at nothing to watch the video.3 'Say Say Say'This was the second time Jackson did a collabo after he did one with the same artist-Paul McCartney in 1982 with the song ''the girl is mine'', it was true success and Jackson therefore embarked on another song-say say with the same artist in 1983.the result was even surprising than the previous song in 1982, it stayed #1 in the chart for six consecutive weeks. It also hit the market with a lot of people liking the song. I must say it was and is still a great song.4 'Rocks with You'Jackson released the rock with you single in 1979, following the smash song 'don' stop 'till you get enough''.jackson basically proved to the world that he was perfectly well at soul as well, the song was part of the last gap of the disco era with fans dancing to it like no bodies business. The hit attracted a large number of fans as compared to the rest of the songs.5 'Beat It'This was the third, "Michael Jackson", release off the album Thriller; it basically filled in any remaining walls for the recording artist. The song featured a blistering guitar solo from rocker Eddie Van Halen, with a video that broke barriers for black recording artists MTV.Beat it was an instant performing hit that left many looking forward for more great hits from recording artist, Michael Jackson.Jackson's hits of all time live in many today; he is one influential and much more successful artist of all time. Long live Jackson!

Don't miss out on Michael Jackson's Last London Concert, make sure to stop by Ticketamerica to secure your Concert Tickets and be part of history!

Michael Jackson - Can You Heal a Damaged Childhood?, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Caryl Westmore

Source: ezinearticles.com



Michael Jackson's unorthodox upbringing with a strict, controlling, abusive father could go a long way to explain his troubled latter years as an adult. Adult children of addicted or dysfunctional parents often grow up stunted emotionally, frozen in a "lost childhood" depicted in his haunting song and music video, "Have You Seen My Childhood?"

For me, this song captures the essence of his damaged "inner child" and fixation with recovering his lost childhood. He sings about searching in the "lost and found of his heart for a childhood I've never known."

As an emotional-energy healer, I inevitably help clients tap into and heal their "inner child". This is the place they have been frozen in time with a memory embedded in their unconscious. They need to "break free fast" (as I call the system I have created) to move onto living a healthy fulfilling life. This is key to my work with Emotional Freedom Tapping which can erase a negative belief implanted from childhood - in minutes.

Imagine the difference it might have made if Jackson, for instance, had been given the chance to use EFT to release the cruel "Big Nose" taunt he said his father shamed him with as a youngster.

Damage from parents and toxic "care-takers" or older siblings when you were an impressionable youngster can "run or ruin your life NOW." Best to clean and clear this toxic mind virus before it damages your life permanently, causing years of distress and pain in the interim.

My personal story My own journey of healing began in my '30s when I discovered a book by Robin Norwood called "Women who Love Too Much". I was shocked to realize I was a typical "Adult Child of an Alcoholic" with symptoms including over-controlling, simmering anger, emotional neediness and a desire to mask my pain with addictions like over-eating and over-spending.

Isolating and approval-seeking are two symptoms of "Adult Children" which I had.

Jackson's Genius This is not to deny Jackson's innate creative genius which in his 20s and 30s dazzled the world and earned him fame and fortune. But something inside him seemed to unravel from the time the press began referring to him as "Wacko Jacko".

As the years went on, his family and closest friends like Liz Taylor and Elton John who encouraged him to go into rehab all failed to rescue him from his "addiction" to anti-depressant drugs and painkillers.

Then there was the ongoing plastic surgery which came close to self-mutilation and to me reflected his deep self-rejection, despite all the accolades of his career.

By the end you could say his painfully thin body also demonstrated symptoms of anorexia - an eating disorder associated with self-loathing.

Being beaten as a child Michael Jackson's father Joe admitted to the BBC in 2003 that he whipped his son as a child. When you review Michael Jackson's life you may notice that his early adult years were enchanted with brilliant success, creativity and humanitarianism - he gave millions to "heal the world and make it a better place for you and me and the whole human race."

Curiouser and curiouser But from his '30s onwards, Michael Jackson, "Michael Jackson", portrayed bizarre eccentricities including forays into plastic surgery to change his appearance which some call "self-mutilation", referring to his destructive nose jobs as making him a "nasal cripple."

Peter Pan You could say building his Neverland ranch with its zoo and theme park for kids was Michael Jackson's attempt to re-discover and recover his "lost childhood" like Peter Pan. The dark shadow side of this was the "evil" of child molestation which tainted him forever, despite his acquittal. You could say it was downhill from the time of his court appearances until his death on July. By the end he was addicted to pain-killers, thin as a rake and plagued with legal and financial troubles.

Could Michael Jackson's demons have been saved and healed?

Yes, I believe so, with the right guidance and therapeutic approach. But of course, first prerequisite would have been willingness by him.

Emotional-energy tools like EFT tapping and many others I use in my work, give the damaged self a chance to heal at source. I recommend, "Michael Jackson", you start before your symptoms become chronic - the body gives early warning signs which we can heed or ignore at our peril.

The sobering lesson for you, especially if you grew up in dysfunctional or abusive home - is to heal yourself and your childhood - before you attempt to "heal the world."

There is a saying in the self-help movement: "Everyone is guilty - but no one is to blame." This means our parents were passing onto us the lessons they grew up with - often toxic and damaging. We have a choice - dig deep and heal the damage in ways I describe in my book "You Can Break-Free Fast." Or stay "victims" and risk progressive self-destruction and wasting of our "golden years" like Michael Jackson.

Caryl Westmore is a break-free fast author and coach who describes in her new book You Can Break Free Fast how to get unstuck and attract the life you love using emotional energy tools like EFT tapping. Free chapters of the book are available at http://www.breakfreefast.com/ where Caryl reveals how she went from broke, homeless and alone at mid-life to living her dream life today with her soul mate husband.

Inspiration From the Life and Death of Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Oma Edoja

Source: ezinearticles.com



It's the summer of 2009 and the world pays tribute to a much loved, celebrated icon,, "Michael Jackson", Michael Jackson, "Michael Jackson", . It's sad to see him go. I have been a fan of The Jacksons and then Michael Jackson since my childhood days. And though I never met him, it feels as though my own brother has passed away. Being one who chooses to look on the brighter side (though as in this case, that's often very hard) I have decided to look on the highlights of Michael's life and draw insight from his death. It helps to ease the pain, as I believe he would have wanted for his fans. I draw three points of inspiration from the life and death of Michael Jackson and I invite you to share them with me:

(1) Michael Jackson went for his dreams with full gusto. And reached them.His ambition began brewing early in his career. It was his dream to become the biggest force in entertainment. With the help of Quincy Jones on his 1982 Thriller a megahit was made, with several others following. His 1987/1989 tour promoting Bad was the largest ever by any solo performer. It resulted in record sales of over 750 million. And Bad is still the only album in history to generate five No.1 hits. He clearly never did anything in half-measures.

(2) Michael Jackson achieved much and gave much as well.Through his charity, the Heal the World Foundation, founded in 1992, he airlifted 46 tons of supplies to Sarajevo, donated millions of dollars to the world's less fortunate children, contributed to drug and alcohol abuse education and covered the costs of a Hungarian child's liver transplant. He also donated millions of dollars from proceeds of his tours and concerts through this charity. He is listed in the 2000 Guinness Book of World Records as breaking the record for the Most Charities supported by a Pop Star, having donated to 39 charities besides his own.

(3) Michael Jackson, in spite of his megastar status, was a human being like you and IHumanity is frail. No matter the heights we attain in life we shall all be leveled in death. It is humbling to acknowledge that we are dust, and to dust we shall all return. Though life can be exciting and filled with success, death is also a fact of life. It's just that we must each wait our turn. It was Michael's turn, and so he has left us. One day it will be yours and mine. It should therefore be our aim to fulfill our God-given life purpose, before our time is up. I'll surely be keeping this in mind.

Let us learn from Michael Jackson to pursue our dreams with full gusto, be inspired to achieve much and to give more in return, and that we all have a final appointment to keep with Our Maker some day. As we step out of this life to keep this great appointment, may we be able to look back on a life that fulfilled its purpose. And to look forward, well prepared.

Copyright © 2009 Oma Edoja

Oma Edoja is an accredited life coach. For more inspirational articles such as this, for coaching to provide the gusto for your dreams, and to remove what holds you back from them, please visit http://turnaroundresources.blogspot.com Also contact Oma for a no-fee assessment of your situation, plus action points to take it forward, and her inspirational email newsletter.

Michael Jackson - Suicide by Idolization and Identification, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Andrew Yellen, Ph.D.

Source: ezinearticles.com



The first reports of fan suicide following the death of Michael Jackson seemed, on the surface, a contradiction to those ideals for which MJ stood.Indeed, Rev. Jesse Jackson asked, "Michael Jackson", fans to create futures not funerals in order to honor those ideals.

Oscar Levant, famous pianist and composer, once jokingly said, "There is a fine line between genius and insanity.I have erased this line."None could argue there was a distinction between Michael Jackson, the genius entertainer, and Michael Jackson, the tormented, and some would say sick, soul.Fans could relate to either or both depending upon their own bent.Most have chosen to remember the former, but some have "erased this line."

Idolization and identification with a superstar personality is not unusual.Sports fans spend billions of dollars each year on jerseys, equipment, and memorabilia of their favorite players and teams. Movie fans, likewise, spend huge amounts of money not only going to movies but dressing, acting, and attempting to look like their favorite stars. And music fans buy albums and videos, download songs, go to concerts, and idolize and identify with their alter egos.To his credit Michael Jackson's fan entourage spanned five decades.He rarely failed to deliver at any stage of his career.Professionals everywhere have spoken of his influence on music, lyrics, videos, dancing, stage presentation, and overall showmanship.He truly is the benchmark standard to which all others will be compared.

A diagnosis of Identity Problem is a very broad and general category that can be used by mental health professionals when, "Michael Jackson", there is uncertainty about multiple issues relating to an individual's identity.It is, however, a legitimate and verifiable psychological condition.To the average person, Michael Jackson's death was the loss of a talent. But to the individuals struggling for identity and having found that identity in MJ, his death became the loss of self.A Russian Jackson impersonator almost literally lost what he believed to be a reflection of himself.Believing there was nothing else for which to live, he unsuccessfully attempted suicide, only to state he would eventually succeed.

However, it was not only identification that caused the suicide phenomenon but idolization.Some believed MJ was more important than anything else in their lives.They spoke of him with love and reverence.When he died, they believed they had lost their beacon.

Lastly, among the impressionable, which have no age boundaries, there is mass hysteria and mob psychology.More than thirty years ago a deranged leader led almost a thousand people to their deaths by suicide at Jonestown.They had lost their own identity.Unfortunately, unlike Michael Jackson, the individual with whom they idolized and identified and was their beacon was disingenuous and self-serving.

Let those of us who are healthy, a relative term, not "drink the kool aid" of insensitivity.To those who would make fun of or view with disdain their fellow human beings, consider these are individuals who have lost their way.The humane thing to do is to help, not to relegate the phenomenon to "natural selection."

Each of us in some way, acknowledged or not, has been influenced by something Michael Jackson has done.As with all of human behavior, idolization and identification are natural outgrowths of being a fan, but when carried to extremes, particularly with those who are vulnerable, the results can be as tragic as the loss of such a superstar as Michael Jackson.It becomes suicide by idolization and identification.

Copyright 2009 Yellen & Associates All rights reserved.

Dr. Andrew Yellen is a parent, former educator, and clinical and sports psychologist in private practice. He is also the co-founder along with his wife Heidi Yellen, M.A., B.C.E.T., of Yellen & Associates (http://www.yellenandassociates.com), a southern California firm providing psychological, educational, speech, and language services. Dr. Yellen's parenting systems have been taught locally for over 20 years. Now, on the Internet, he is sharing his knowledge and experience at ParentDoc.com

Currently pioneering advances in the field of Brain Electrical Activity Mapping, Dr. Yellen has augmented the accuracy of psychological assessments by offering the latest technological advances of Digital EEG Spectral Analysis (DESA) to schools, rehab clinics , attorneys, sports organizations, and our injured veterans

Dr. Yellen has appeared nationally on television as well as giving commentary on local television and radio stations. He is the author of The Art of Perfect Parenting and Other Absurd Ideas and co-author of Understanding the Learning Disabled Athlete and Social Facilitation in Action. His books are available for purchase through his website. For further information, personal consultations or speaking engagements, he can be reached at (818) 360-3078

Michael Jackson - Heal the World, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Aldric Chang

Source: ezinearticles.com



Spiderman promoted the wisdom that with great power comes great responsibility. Makes sense really. To whom much is given, much is required. Michael Jackson is one of the best examples of this selflessness. During the, "Michael Jackson", height of his popularity in the 80s and 90s, MJ took advantage of his influence and reach in order to spread the word about different problems and advocacies of the world.

This is why we have songs such as Heal the World and We Are the World.

We Are the World is a songwriting collaboration of Michael Jackson with Lionel Richie for charity and for spreading the word about the state of famine, hunger, drought, political instability and poverty in Ethiopia and other countries in Africa.

From a single dual collaboration, the production, written in 1985, became a superpower recording track featuring the heavy musical stars of that time. Here are the artists who participated with a distinct solo part:

- Lionel Richie

- Stevie Wonder

- Paul Simon

- Kenny Rogers

- James Ingram

- Tina Turner

- Billy Joel

- Michael Jackson

- Diana Ross

- Dionne Warwick

- Willie Nelson

- Al Jarreau

- Bruce Springsteen

- Kenny Loggins

- Steve Perry

- Daryl Hall

- Huey Lewis

- Cyndi Lauper

- Kim Carnes

- Bob Dylan

- Ray Charles

That's a supernova right there. In fact, the single was so successful that it was able to raise about $63 million for the relief operations against famine.

MJ didn't stop there, "Michael Jackson", . He had many social awareness songs but perhaps one of the most memorable is really Heal the World.

Together with We Are the World, Heal the World is one of the more visually captivating performances of Michael Jackson because it would often involve an elaborate production with many children doing a United Nations act in the stage - particularly during the halftime show of the Super bowl XXVII.

As a testament to the selflessness of Michael Jackson, the video of Heal the World is one of the rare videos which did not feature the likeness of MJ. Heal the World was released with the album Dangerous in 1991. Michael shared that he created this song while in the Giving Tree inside his Neverland Ranch.

While participating in an Internet chat with MJ in the year 2001, he admitted that Heal the World is the one song which he is most proud to have created because it has become an anthem for worthy causes throughout the years.

To make sure that MJ was not all words and no action, he formed the Heal the World foundation. This was a non-profit group for the protection of the welfare of under-privileged children.

Michael has been very active throughout his life in aiding other unprivileged people. He had forged special friendships with children with sicknesses, most notably the one whom he dedicated the song Gone Too Soon.

As it turned out Gone Too Soon was a fitting song for MJ himself.

During his funeral held recently in the Staples Center, the selflessness of Michael was honored with an ensemble performance of Heal the Worldand We Are the World last July 7, 2009. In old-school fashion, children wearing various cultural wardrobe were shown.

MJ has been successful in using his wide-reaching superstardom in order to communicate messages to the whole world that change is indeed possible. The initiative just has to come from one's self in order to start making progress. Michael was able to go beyond color, race, age and gender to show us that selflessness will always be remembered well.

Aldric Chang is a creative entrepreneur who is at the moment building free online adventure games for kids and running a successful 3d animation studio. His creative accomplishments span across the production of several hundred animation projects, casual games, music compositions, cartoon animated series and a virtual world for kids.

Michael Jackson - 4 Things to Learn From Michael Jackson That Can Help You Be Successful Too, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Marcus A. Baker

Source: ezinearticles.com



Love him or hate him, you can't ignore who Michael Jackson was. He was and still is everywhere. The fact that his name still dominated news headlinesa good weekafter his death is proof enough that he had an impact on millions of lives globally. Despite the controversies, mystery and perceived unhappiness, Michael Jackson, the king ofpopwas a superstar, successful in ways we can only dream about. What if any were his secrets to success? Here are four observations I believe contributed to his legacy, all of which we can apply if we choose to be as successful in our own right.

Michael Jackson was passionate: He did what made him happy - sing and dance. When you love what you do, you will do whatever it takes to achieve your goals. It's a drive that will come naturally from within, so even though it may takeyou a while to get towhere you want tobe, you will enjoy the journey so much that you will not mind the time it takes, "Michael Jackson", to get there.Those who believe in the law of attraction will tell you that to be successful you have to be happy because when you are, youfocus on what is working and the feeling of happiness that you experience. The moreyou do this, themore you will attract of the same toyour life.If you want to be successful, do what you love. Connect with your passion. Be happy.

Michael Jackson was in touch with his inner child: He knew that life can be outrageously fun, that it's possible to be audaciously happy when you connect with your inner child. He had a child-like quality, a playfulness thathelpedhim dismantle the contradictory beliefs that cover up this most precious knowing. His 'Never land Ranch' inspired by Peter Pan who refused to "grow up" was testimony to the fact that you CAN have life your way. The true act of growing up is recognizing that you CAN haveeverything you desire if only you will believe as a child believes, before we strip this magic from them. Hemay not have had absolutely everything he desired in his life but nobody attains perfection. He certainly seemed to be doing better than the majority of us.Ifyou want to be successful do what Michael Jackson did, don't take life too seriously. Believe anything is possible and believe in the highest good of all people as children do.

Michael Jackson constantly evolved: He was a true innovator - continually re-inventing himself through time. It was this that made it possible for him to appeal to such a wide spectrum of people. He became his own brand which of course was totally unique. There was nobody like Michael Jackson, nor will there ever be. He stood out by taking risks. Not all his behavior was appreciated by everyone but his actions defined the brand that was him. He also maintained an air of mystery. One never knew everything about him nor what he was going to do next. This ensured that his loyal fans remained intrigued followers. If you want to be successful you need to express your unique nature, be your own brand and give up needing to conform. It's only then that you will be able to stand apart from the masses and be truly different.

Michael Jackson excelled despite his hardships: His early years were difficult and challenging and missing out on a 'normal' childhood presented its own brand of issues, but he was successful despite this. Why? Because deep down he was true to himself and the belief he had in himself. This always went deeper than any hardship he endured. As an adult he was often the subject of gossip, "Michael Jackson", and misunderstanding but he never let any of it hold him down. Right till the end with a world tour just weeks away, he was about to emerge out of the ashes like a phoenix and prove that he could survive anything. If you want to be successful, you too will have to release the need to blame others for your failure, instead rising above your hardship and succeeding regardless.

No matter what it is you want to achieve, the key to your success will be dependent on your ability to use the power and influence of your sub conscious mind. My passion is for helping those who want to start and achieve a successful home based business. If you would like to be your own boss and have whatever you desire in life then I'd like to invite you to consider if and how I can mentor you to success. Success With Marcus

From: Marcus A. Baker - The Coach For Aspiring Online Entrepreneurs http://www.marcus-baker.com

Michael Jackson, Peter Pan Syndrome and Living Forever, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Robert Levin

Source: ezinearticles.com



I was a huge fan of Michael Jackson.A lot of grown men would be embarrassed to admit that, but not me.Not only was he a brilliant performer and songwriter that defined the 1980's which made up most of my adolescence, there was something else that caused me to feel I had a special understanding of who he was.That something else was his longing for a lost childhood and the battle within himself to both be a man while recouping some of the lost innocence he felt was stolen from him.

While we certainly lived very different lives and I make no pretensions to be a superstar of Michael's stature or possess the same talent he had, one thing we both did share was an enormously emotionally damaging childhood.It is well documented the mixture of loathing, fear and love that Michael felt for his father.Joe Jackson was a stern disciplinarian who would pummel his sons if they did not do what he wanted.Some have credited this with driving Michael and his brothers to the incredible success that they did.But it also left enormous emotional damage.

I grew up with Tourettes Syndrome.It went undiagnosed mostly because I had a moderate case and my parents were in complete denial that I had it.The teasing, ridicule and sometimes physical abuse that I endured caused its own kind of damage in me and caused me to grow up quick and realize how cruel others could be.As an adult, I found myself stunted for many years.In my twenties and even early thirties I longed for the happy, satisfying childhood that I felt I never had.I had no memories of great friendships or happy times in grade or high school.Instead, it pained me to think of much I had endured.

Like Michael, I often enjoyed spending time with my young nephews and niece and even worked as a camp counselor so I could live vicariously through the young people I oversaw.I always seemed to have an ability to sit down next to a child of 7, 10 or 13 and make them feel like I was a friend and that I understood exactly what they were dealing with no matter what it was.I looked at this as a kind of strange gift that was a 'silver lining' from all of the abuse I had undergone when younger.

Michael obviously had this gift too.It's one of the reasons why I doubted he ever was guilty of the child molestation charges that were leveled against him.I believe he was misunderstood and that spending time with young people was cathartic for him just as it was for me.The difference between us is that I always recognized that while I might have a special ability to empathize with young people and connect with them, I knew I was an adult and would never cross certain lines. Perhaps because of Michael's isolation he wasn't around enough people that weren't his servants and hanger-ons to fully recognize that difference like I did.

Michael's, "Michael Jackson", supposed pre-occupation for living forever, or at least as long as possible has been discussed throughout the years.Of course people have seen the reports that he slept in an oxygen tent, that he wore masks when outside and ate special foods to try and keep as young as possible.Michael took our societies preoccupation with youth to an extreme and became the ultimate boy-man, almost a cartoon caricature of the younger Michael Jackson we all knew and loved.

I think a lot of us have tried to do the same thing in our own way.Inevitably, we all grow older no matter how, "Michael Jackson", good we take care of our skin and bodies.No matter what products we use or how we dress.I look at someone like Madonna, another 80's icon that has chosen a different path.She fights like hell to stay in shape and take care of herself, but she also embraces that she is growing older and is doing so with dignity, despite the fact that like Michael Jackson, her initial fame and talent were tightly woven with her youth and beauty.

If there's one thing I've learned about the passing of Michael and the lesson that his cut-too-short life holds, it's that life is precious and fleeting.As much as we'd like to we can't re-live our past.It's better to embrace our lives and look to the future.Today is the first day of the rest of our lives, and nobody can compete with father time.Not even Michael Jackson.

Please stop by http://www.SelfAwareness101.com for more great insight and articles about this and other topics.

Interesting Ideas For Michael Jackson Halloween Costumes, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Russ D. Edwards

Source: ezinearticles.com



If you are looking for a good costume to wear on this year's October 31st, know there are Michael Jackson Halloween costumes that will make you glad you never missed the night. Many people do not dress up to enjoy the celebrations of this occasion, and if you never have before, it is never too late to start! Halloween is, "Michael Jackson", great fun and also a little competitive among friends to see who has the best costume, but with a Michael costume you are sure to stand out from the rest.

Why Michael Jackson?

Michael Jackson Halloween costumes have always been popular, but since the King of Pop passed away earlier this year it has become even more popular. 2009 is the year that you want to hit the streets as the famous MJ. Do it for him and do it for yourself. Even if others are wearing the same costume, that is fine. Even better, in fact! Get all of your friends to wear his costumes in memory of the legend. That way you will definitely have a Halloween to remember!

Even if you are wearing the costume on your own, you are not likely to be the only one wearing it. You should do something different to your costume so that you stand out from everyone else. You could wear a pair of red boots instead of black, add a scarf to your outfit, or just do something that every other MJ look-a-like will not think of doing. Do not forget the wig! You cannot be Michael without the long black curly hair.

About Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was known as the King of Pop, a man who is loved by millions of fans all around the world. He is a man that made the world cry when he passed away. He made wonderful music. He made the "moon walk" and he made a lot of other things,, "Michael Jackson", but most importantly, Michael made history! You should feel honored to wear Michael Jackson Halloween costumes. Honor him the way he honored his fans and his love for music.

When it comes to Michael Jackson Halloween costumes, know that you have many options to choose from. You do not have to stick with one look. There is the plain old MJ look if that is what you are interested in, but then there are other options like the "Thriller" zombie look or the "Bad" black leather look. That is the nice thing about choosing to dress up as Michael Jackson. There is not only one outfit you can wear, but rather a few different ones.

Shopping Online

No matter what type of Michael Jackson Halloween costumes you are looking for, it is always better to look and purchase online. That way, you can have every single available costume in front of you with the single click of a button and you will not have to leave home to find the costume that best suits you. Shopping online brings you all the benefits you need.

I hope what I have mentioned above is helpful to you. If you want to know more about Michael Jackson Halloween costumes, I strongly recommend you to take a look at Michael Jackson Halloween costumes.

Was Michael Jackson Murdered?, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Robert Levin

Source: articlesbase.com



Is it just me or does it seem that Michael Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray has so far gotten away with something pretty big here. I’m typically not the suspicious type but when every single statement that this doctor says seems to be tailor made to escape responsibility for anything, and he just happens to be the last known person with Mr. Jackson before the paramedics arrived, my BS meter starts to go off. Frankly, the statements he and his attorney have made wreak of a man with a guilty conscience. Let me explain why. The first and most obvious thing that everyone has talked about has to do with the 911 call. Everyone and his uncle by now knows that the doctor was giving Michael CPR on the bed, which isn’t ideal because it is soft, instead of a hard, solid surface like a floor which is recommended. But what I find suspicious isn’t necessarily that the doctor made a mistake by doing CPR on the bed, it’s that he then, after the 911 tapes came out, released a statement through his attorney that he was using one hand behind Michael as ‘support’, therefore mitigating the fact he was on the bed. Now I don’t know about you, but I just don’t buy that. I have pretty good size hands, and I really don’t think sticking my hand, even if fully outstretched and in the middle of a person’s back, could, "Michael Jackson", provide enough support that with the other hand I could compress an unconscious man’s chest for CPR. Just how would one have the leverage with the one free hand to adequately do that? Smells like BS to me. Next up are the recent revelations about the Propofol found in MJ’s house. For what it’s worth, I won’t be too surprised if they find fingerprints on some of those bottles from people other than Jackson. If they do, especially if it is Dr. Murray, I think we have a murder trial here folks. Most recently, Doctor Murray’s attorney has denied that the doctor gave Michael Demerol or Oxycontin but refused to say if he administered Propofol to put Michael to sleep. Now a little background is in order here. Apparently, during Michael’s tour in the late 1990’s, a doctor travelled with Michael in order to basically anesthetize him each night to put him to sleep because of chronic insomnia. The doctor would then ‘bring him back’ out of anesthesia every morning. If Michael Jackson really did develop this bizarre and dangerous ritual in order to ensure he was able to sleep during the stress and demands of his concert tour in the 1990’s, and we have a bunch of bottles Propofol, an anesthetic, found in his home just before another tour is about to begin, it only stands to reason that he is again engaging in this same ritual. Therefore, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize what Dr. Conrad Murray’s true reason for being hired as Jackson’s personal doctor for the tour was. Obviously, he was going to be the one to put Michael under and back each night and morning. If the autopsy results come back and show that Michael died of Propofol overdose, then it also becomes pretty obvious that Dr Murray should be charged with murder as Propofol is not a medicine that can readily be administered to oneself. A final action by the doctor that doesn’t pass the smell test is his statement that he won’t attend, "Michael Jackson", the funeral. If he really is as heartbroken as he states he is and if he has nothing to hide, then one would think that as Michael’s personal physician he would want to console the family and join in the grieving process. Instead, he claims he wants to mourn his ‘good friend’ in private. Dr. Conrad Murray might have been a good friend while Michael Jackson was alive, but I have a strong suspicion that if Michael could speak from the grave he’d tell the doctor that to find the person who killed him he should take a long hard look at ‘The Man In The Mirror’. For more great articles on Michael Jackson's passing and presciption drug abuse please stop by http://www.SedatedNation.com Also, for more great every day insight please visit http://www.SelfAwareness101.com

With Degrees in Film, Real Estate Finance and Development as well as Psychology, Robert Levin writes expert articles covering a broad range of issues. Some of his websites include: www.toptenmba.com,
www.MBAonline.me, www.lawdegree.me, www.selfawareness101.com and www.tvwriter.me

Michael Jackson Halloween Costumes, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Chuck White

Source: articlesbase.com



"This Halloween, you may want to get yourself and or your kids dressed up as the one and only King of Pop, the Gloved One himself, Michael Jackson. In other words, you're going to be looking for a Michael Jackson Halloween Costume. Fortunately, there are lots of choices of such costumes available on the Internet. A quick Google search brought up dozens of choices. Some stores, such as Amazon.com have several choices in fact. They range from a costume by Zooger Costumes which has the famous “nehru” style jacket and the sequined glove to a thriller style costume where you can actually wear the face of a dead man playing well, a dead man. Then there is the Billie Jean Costume and the Moon Walker costume. But what, "Michael Jackson", if you want something simpler? After-all, in this day and age, one needs to economize. You could try for a simple black jacket for starters. Even a black windbreaker can easily be adapted. What you would do is to purchase the black jacket, then adapt it by buying some silver colored tassels to glue across the front, creating a look like the Nehru jacket. Or if you want to do a Thriller look, why not try to buy some fake blood to create the small “scar” Michael wore in the music video. Then for the hair, you can use some heavy hair jell and a curler to create a look similar to Michael's famous hair. The rest is really about attitude. You just need to be able to walk like Micahel. A cheap hat could help as well, especially if you wear it like Michael did, titled all the way forward and looking like, "Michael Jackson", a rock star. In fact, if your heart is set on a Michael Jackson Halloween costume then you could actually go a long way to doing just through the attitude thing and thinking to yourself, “I'm a rock star.” Some of the most famous illusionists did their work not with heavy make up, but instead by simply looking the part. Think about Eddie Murphy every time he plays a role in one of his movies. He never puts on makeup, but he can instantly go from being a bad ass cop to a scared delivery guy with just a bit of water, a paper bag and some attitude. So for this Halloween, when you want that Michael Jackson Halloween costume, try to think creatively instead of wasting lots of money.

Find michael jackson halloween costume kid on http://www.michael-jackson-halloween-costumes.com;. Discover the latest update on this topic

Michael Jackson Wig, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Chuck White

Source: articlesbase.com



"This Halloween, you know there is going to be a huge demand for pairs of sunglasses, sequined gloves, leather jackets and flat black hats. Yes, the world will be going crazy with tributes to the man himself, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, or as he was known to his fans, the Gloved One. But there is one piece of the puzzle that might be missing there. The one that is probably most important of all. The iconic Michael Jackson hair. You can of course buy a Michael Jackson wig but we're here to offer you all kinds of other alternatives, "Michael Jackson", to that. Start with some serious amounts of hair jel. You know that Michael Jackson had long black hair. He used to wear it in a variety of styles, sometimes curly and sometimes it was long and straight. If you simply make use of some hair jel, you you can slick your hair back and create a Michael Jackson like effect without any need to buy a Michael Jackson wig. Add in perhaps a bit of talcum powder to give your face a faded look as Michael's looked from all the surgeries he underwent (he had undergone a series of skin grafts in order to make his skin look white) and you'll, "Michael Jackson", have the perfect Michael Jackson wig without any need for the actual wig.But what if you really had your heart set on an honest to goodness Michael Jackson wig? If that is your desire, you are definitely in luck. A quick Google search brought up lots of options. My first stop when shopping for stuff like this is usually Amazon.com, not because they are necessarily cheaper, but rather because of the fact that they offer free super-saver shipping when you spend over $25. This is a great deal and if you are buying for yourself and your kid for example, then you could easily get everything you need and never have to leave the comfort of your own home.Some of the options I found on Amazon.com include an 80s style Michael Jackson wig which recalls his time at the top of the charts. It's got short, bushy dark hair and comes only with the wig. Or if you want to go for something a little more elaborate, for under $17, I found a straight long haired wig, like the gloved one used to wear in the latter part of his life which comes together with a pair of aviator style sun glasses. Whatever style of Michael Jackson wig you choose though, the most important thing, is just have fun and have a safe Halloween.

Find michael jackson wig on http://www.michael-jackson-halloween-costumes.com;. Discover the latest update on this topic

Michael Jackson and Motown, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Mirian Guimaraes-Thomas

Source: ezinearticles.com



A child prodigy who goes on to create history is not an everyday occurrence. Michael Jackson was one such rare gem who happened to be one of the biggest pop stars ever to moonwalk the earth. His albums continue to sell in droves, and, "Michael Jackson", the news of his death stimulated even more sales. Eight out of ten songs on the top 10 iTunes list happens to be his, probably something that no artist, living or dead, has, "Michael Jackson", ever achieved.

As in all the best fairytales, Michael Jackson had very humble beginnings. He was raised in a large family with 9 siblings. He started performing at the tender age of 4. He and his brothers led by their and father (and then manager) joined classic Motown records. Motown of course had and has some of the biggest stars in the history of music and the Jacksons carried on the Motown tradition. The Jackson 5 were born and on their way to superstardom

Michael had a vibrant career as a child star. He was welcomed by a host of television stations and continued to record albums with Motown. However, there was a lot more waiting for Michael Jackson outside of his band. He was yearning and waiting to break free and release albums as a solo artist.

After meeting music producer Quincy Jones, he fired his father as the producer and recorded some of his career best singles with Jones and Motown records. In 1982 Michael Jackson created history with the album and video, Thriller. This album redefined production music and is considered by many to be the work of a genius. It had some of the best Jackson singles all compiled into one album. In fact, seven of the nine songs were in the top ten lists, a feat that no other album has achieved. The album also opened doors for other African American artists, a genre which experienced decline in the early 80's years.

Michael Jackson's continued collaborating with Motown and produced some of the best songs ever produced and performed. Motown truly helped propel Michael to supersonic stardom - the stardom he had always yearned for.

Michael Jackson with the help of Motown broke records, achieved feats and is set to be one of the all time greats in the pop genre. His daring videos, his moonwalk on Motown 25, altruistic nature, he is unsurpassed as a performer, as an entertainer.

Michael Jackson and Motown are a partnership no one will forget.

If you want to learn more about the late and great Michael Jackson, you could do worse than visit this site, mostly about Jackson & Thriller Or if you are a fan of Michael's work and would like to contribute to the site there is a contact form there too.

An EFL Teaching and Learning Tribute to Michael Jackson - Musical Genius, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Larry M. Lynch

Source: ezinearticles.com



Michael Jackson's Sudden Death a Shock

The sudden death of Michael Jackson has been a shock to almost everyone. Tributes and condolences to the family have poured in from around the globe from the White House to the Vatican. Few performers have touched so many from so many walks of life and so many countries, languages and cultures. His presence will surely be missed.

His legacy though, will live on. His contributions to the field of entertainment are profound, affecting global cultures and age groups from youth to the elderly. Many English language learners remember several of his many songs. These can continue to be useful in EFL language practice at any level of language learning. Students will be especially attracted to his songs now with their increased available and accessibility. Learners worldwide can also recall seeing a concert or televised special in many cases too. Likely a number of your EFL or foreign language learners have his songs and albums on CDs.

Perhaps even you have special memories or anecdotes you can relate of one of the world's most well-known and at times, controversial entertainers.

Try asking, "Michael Jackson", your learners to talk about:

What is your favorite Michael Jackson song?

Mine are "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "ABC" from the Jackson Five's earlier years.

Which Michael Jackson is your favorite album?

Why "Bad", of course, for me. Yes, "Thriller" is, "Michael Jackson", excellent, but not my favorite.

Do you have a favorite Michael Jackson music video?

For me, "Remember the Time" gets the vote. The music video "Black and White" also gets a hearty vote from me with its introduction of "image morphing". Sometimes I used "The Way You Make Me Feel" in classes too.

Making Practical Use of Music by Michael Jackson

Don't pass up the chance to play a few of your learners' favorite Michael Jackson songs in class, but don't "veg-out" at just that. Do some of these exercise or activity types to add increased language learning and practice value to the songs:

• re-ordering activities

• cloze exercises or whip up

• some short, quick, true-or-false exercises based on the song lyrics

• why not stage a "performance" or presentation competition?

It's almost certain that I'll offer my EFL classes the opportunity to incorporate one or more of Michael Jackson's hits into a couple of language learning lessons or so. The English as a foreign language learners might also choose to:

• write an essay related to his music or his life

• try a "Concentration"-type series of class room activities

• demonstrate songs or videos as a short "performance"

Michael Jackson Will Continue to Live on in Our Hearts and Minds

Certainly, many of us will miss this great entertainer's contributions to the industry, but he will continue to live on in our hearts, minds and ears as we continue to enjoy his many musical creations. Musical entertainment genius Michael Jackson will undoubtedly continue to live on in our hearts and minds for many years to come.

How about you? How will you incorporate the legacy of this great performer into your EFL teaching and learning scenarios?

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker (also a Dad). He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 135 countries. Get your FREE E-book, "If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me or visit http://bettereflteacher.blogspot.com for further information.

How Michael Jackson's Heirs Stand to Cash in And How You Can, Too, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Deeann Mathews

Source: ezinearticles.com



If you've noticed you are hearing the music of the "King of Pop" more now than since before his recent death, and wondered if this state of affairs may continue into the future, the answer is probably an emphatic yes. If you have also wondered why the fight over his estate was so fierce, the answer is just two words - recapture rights.

Most musicians believe that once they assign their copyright to a publishing company, they give up control for all time. But U.S. Copyright law includes a provision in which a songwriter or their heirs can "recapture," or regain full administrative control of their songs. 35 years after your work has been published, or 40 years after you've assigned your work to a publisher if publication has not happened, a five-year period begins in which you or your heirs can demand full control of your copyrights back. There is nothing a publisher can do but give you what you want, if you do it right.

The only catch: You must formalize your demand in writing two years before you want the song back. In other words, the latest you could file your demand is the 38th year after your work has been published, or the 43rd year after your work went to a publisher but was not published.

In the case of Michael Jackson, many of his early solo hits are now in the recapture period,, "Michael Jackson", including "Got to Be There" (1972) and "Ben." (1972). Jackson 5 hits in the recapture period include "Sugar Daddy" (1972), and the huge hit "Dancing Machine" (1973). Next year, the Jackson 5's "All I Do is Think of You" and, "Michael Jackson", the solo "Take Me Back" will enter the recapture period (both released in 1975, 34 years ago). In five years, Jackson's hit "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (1979) will enter the recapture period, and in eight years, everything on Jackson's mega-hit album Thriller (1982) will also enter the recapture period. The control of millions of not billions of dollars in assets would go from the music industry back to Jackson's heirs if they were to pursue these rights, because demand for Jackson's music is not going to go away no matter who controls the rights.

Of course, all of this assumes that Jackson's heirs understand the power of copyrights and how to control them. Many a musician and his or her heirs have no idea how to register, assign, and recapture control of music that is making money for plenty of people beside them. The trick always is getting the wealth created from your music to come home again. Registering your work for copyright is the first step; exercising your recapture rights if your song does well can be another, later step (for you or for your heirs).

The takeaway for every musician should be this: If you're not happy with what your publisher is doing, or if you are happy but you think you can do better, get those letters of demand ready for that 35th year. Best to you on your music pursuits!

Deeann D. Mathews is the Creative Director of Praising Pilgrims Music, which has just released The Freedom Guide for Music Creators. Enjoy a big sample of this instantly downloadable music business e-book at http://www.squidoo.com/freedomguide.

Creativity - Seeking to Understand Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Joseph Langen

Source: ezinearticles.com



We are the world, we are the children.

We are the ones who make a brighter day.

(from We're the World~ Michael Jackson)

Creative people often think differently from, "Michael Jackson", everyone else. They imagine ways of seeing the world and of doing things which might not occur to others. However their relationships often show a complexity difficult to understand. Sometimes they create disasters for themselves and everyone else involved.

Mary Lou Cook describes creativity as "inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes and having fun." It is a process of reworking reality, seeing new connections and sometimes a whole new reality. Frank Barron sees the creative person as "both more cultivated, more destructive, a lot madder and a lot saner than the average person." Extremes and contractions mark the lives of the creative. They often appear as enigmas to others for whom order and logic is important.

Like many exceptionally creative people, Michael Jackson defies understanding and explanation. He stretched music and dance beyond their previous boundaries. Yet his personal life slowly unraveled, inviting criticism and scorn.

At times I have imagined that successful creative people live charmed lives. Details of Michael's life splattered in the tabloids turned my speculation on its head. Creativity provides no guarantee of economic success nor does it insure an ordered life. In fact the opposite is often true.

The above definition of creativity could also serve to describe adolescence. Maybe living a creative life is like perpetual adolescence, seeing nothing as impossible and no traditions as sacred. Unbounded by context, their ideas take on a life of their own.

Speaking of adolescence, Michael Jackson's cavorting with teenage boys suggested he was inclined toward pedophilia. Yet the similarity between creativity and adolescence intimate that he might have lived more at the emotional level of teens than of adults. He might have felt more comfortable in their company than in that of adults.

Creativity can take the form of a demon as well as a muse. It can raise its possessor to new pinnacles. It can also exact a steep toll on the quality of life. Finding a balance between creativity and, "Michael Jackson", rationality would make for a less chaotic life, but it would also dull the sharp edge of creativity. Part of adolescence is reckless abandon. Stopping to consider consequences inhibits spontaneity, a problem for creative expression but not a bad thing in personal life.

Maybe understanding someone like Michael Jackson is too much to expect no matter how you approach it. Like creativity itself, it cannot be pinned down. His creative success and personal limitations may just dramatize the extremes of which we are all capable.

Have you seen my Childhood?

I'm searching for that wonder in my youth.

Like fantastical stories to share

The dreams I would dare, watch me fly

(from Childhood ~ Michael Jackson)

Life Lab Lessons


What are your creative talents?
Do you celebrate or hide them?
Let your spirit fly, if just a little.
Share your gifts with those who need them.
Treasure and celebrate others' gifts.

Joseph G. Langen is the author of Commonsense Wisdom for Everyday Life, Young Man of the Cloth, The Pastor's Inferno and Navigating Life: Commonsense Reflections for the Voyage. He also distributes a free newsletter on commonsense wisdom topics, Sliding Otter News. Learn more about his writing and publishing through Sliding Otter Publications at:

http://www.slidingotter.com
http://www.commonsense-wisdom.blogspot.com

Contact him at: jlangen@slidingotter.com

Michael Jackson - The King of Popularity, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Aldric Chang

Source: ezinearticles.com



The great dame Elizabeth Taylor gave Michael Jackson his all-popular nickname King of Pop. By its essence, this would mean Popular Music. But with the scope of influence of MJ, this has come to mean popularity. And what a King he is, as evidenced by the global depression of all his fans.

Imagine there were a reported twelve people who committed suicide because of his sudden death.

Popularity has always been a double-edged sword because as much as it attracts fame and fortune, it also attracts negativity and rumors. MJ throughout the years has experienced it all - from all the musical accolades to the most pressing scandals.

Of course his global popularity was helped by his early start in the name of show business. In fact, it was too young. Michael has been performing since the age of five and carried on towards the success of the Jackson Five.

He then embarked on a solo career with the 1978 album Off the Wall. This propelled him to new heights as he released the album Thriller in 1982. He became a worldwide household name from there on out. He was in all, "Michael Jackson", aspects a popular culture icon.

Here is an interesting aspect of his popularity through the eyes of normal people. A disc jockey, who was working in a record bar back when Thriller was released, related that the types of people who brought Thriller were really of various niches and groups of people. Punk rockers, old ladies, young children - the spectrum was really unlimited.

MJ also used his popularity in order to communicate strong messages against poverty, famine, injustices and the likes. This was one of the more influential people taking a stand, challenging ordinary people to do the same. This is one of his memorable acts for mankind - embodied in the songs Heal the World, We Are the World and the Earth Song, among others.

He communicated all his emotions and beliefs through his music. In the end all the negative rumors and issues thrown at him will be forgotten but his music will remain in the hearts of people. He was creativity embodied, truly a bundle of joy given to us as a young child with the Jackson 5.

Indeed, MJ has given us a roller coaster ride of a life. It was a mixed and convoluted collage of contributions to popular culture which will be remembered very well for a very long time.

I guess with the way the world mourned his death it is fair to include MJ in the echelon of names which have truly shaped a century. Elvis, The Beatles - there were really a few and Michael is now one of them.

We may never know what Michael still has up in his sleeves for his 50-date comeback concert to kick off in London. We really wouldn't know. Even if a 2-minute video of his dress rehearsal performing They Don't Really Care About Us two days before his death surfaced, it was not enough to satiate our need to see him perform again.

But here was someone who did see him up close. Ken Ehrlich, the executive producer of the Grammys, was invited by Jackson to watch the rehearsal the night before MJ died. Here was what he, "Michael Jackson", had to say:

"Watching him rehearse these trademark dance moves that he created, that nobody did before, you could say James Brown, but he created [them], they belong to him. And then you've watched 25 years or more, 30 years or more people doing those moves, and remembering that they all came from him. That's his legacy."

The King of Pop will live long in our hearts forever.

Aldric Chang is a creative entrepreneur who is at the moment building free online adventure games for kids and running a successful 3d animation studio. His creative accomplishments span across the production of several hundred animation projects, casual games, music compositions, cartoon animated series and a virtual world for kids.

News on Michael Jackson's Nose, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Alan Riggs

Source: ezinearticles.com



According to a document, Michael Jackson wore a prosthetic nose. The prosthetic nose was noted as missing from his face as the body lay in a morgue located in Los Angeles, California.

A small, dark hole surrounded by bits of cartilage was left behind according to eye witness accounts who saw the body of the King of Pop while it lay on the autopsy table. The prosthetic nose was worn by Michael Jackson because he was very shy about his appearance, masking the effects of an abundance of plastic surgeries.

Several claim Michael Jackson went through way too many nose-job sessions, & the public might be right according to many plastic surgeons. The nose appears to have collapsed considerably more, "Michael Jackson", than it ever should have over time, although it is said to be consistent with the wearing of surgical masks in recent times.

Plenty of plastic surgeons say it is dangerous to go back & do work on Michael Jackson's nose, & that they would be hard pressed to find a plastic surgeon for the next round.

It's been noted by many surgeons that with each nose job a person goes through, the blood circulation to the area decreases & the risks of infection & scarring increase. It was widely believed that he had finally accepted his nose for the way it was, considering each surgery increased risks it was probably in his best interest.

Most people who go through plastic surgery for nose jobs don't have the results looking like Michael Jackson, but it is estimated to have consisted of at least 5 jobs & there had to be some form of complications during each surgery.

Plastic surgeons who have studied photos say there may have been more like 30 or 40 surgeries performed.

When the entertainer was ordered to remove the surgical mask in a court room session, the appearance caused a stir & prompted several gasps from the audience & fans who were present that day.

The objective Michael Jackson had was to alter his flat, broad African-American nose in to more of a Caucasian nose. If credit was to be given to Michael for plastic surgery success, it was to serve as a warning for all of us--not to go far in plastic surgery!

The final surgery Michael Jackson had for his nose was done by a surgeon from Germany who agreed to repair the current nose. The surgery was done by taking part of the ear to place inside the nose, & the surgeon said it was fine after the operation, "Michael Jackson", but was close to collapsing after having twenty years of plastic surgery.

--Alan Riggs
News on Celebrity Stars; Michael Jackson Nose

Michael Jackson's Health Problems, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Aldric Chang

Source: ezinearticles.com



The problem with being a superstar is that all eyes are focused on you. One small move and it is already documented, talked about and dissected. So you can just imagine what Michael Jackson had to go through when through the years his appearance started to change.

MJ started to change his look drastically. And this was no simple hairdo makeover or fashion change. Michael grew up in front of many people as the lead singer of the Jacksons 5 when he was very young - and it is well-established that he is of African-American descent.

But by the mid-1980s, the changes were harder to ignore. His skin tone started to become whiter and whiter. His nose suffered an injury while he was working on a musical project. Because of this he underwent rhinoplasty or nose surgery. He was also observed to have undergone a forehead lift, cheekbone surgery and an altering of the lips. This was even more marked during his later years: his hair was now straight; his entire body was of a white skin tone,, "Michael Jackson", his lips seemed to have enlarged a bit and he had a cleft chin put up.

Imagine by the year 1990, close friends of Michael Jackson have estimated that he already had ten cosmetic procedures. If that, "Michael Jackson", was a fast trend for him, just how many more did he do after 19 years?

A friend of Michael for 20 years, Dr. Deepak Chopra had this to say: "What became his compulsion with cosmetic surgery was an expression of self-mutilation, a total lack of respect for himself."

In a move that is still being argued as just a PR move, MJ was said to have been diagnosed in the mid-1980s to have the condition called vitiligo. This announcement was pronounced in the midst of rumors that he was bleaching his skin. Vitiligo is a condition where patches of skin seem to lose its melanin and become a bit white.

Michael has also been said to have the lethal condition that is lupus which made him sensitive to sunlight. Because of this he depended on Solaquin, Tretinoin and Benoquin to compensate. He was also applying hydroxychloroquine injections in his scalp for the same purpose.

According to J. Randy Taraborrelli, these medications contributed to his paler skin.

His weight also plummeted down because he had this desire to be in a dancer's body, so to speak. His lowest weight was at 105 pounds and mind you, he was five foot eleven.

Another issue with Michael has been his dependence on prescription drugs especially painkillers and strong sedatives. Because of these, it has been widely observed that his health deteriorated. MJ admitted this in 1993 when he said that he was taking painkillers Valium, Xanax and Ativan to try to compensate with the stress of dealing with the child sexual abuse charges hailed against him.

Right at this time, MJ was said to have lost about ten pounds and has stopped eating regularly. He would then be observed to be drowsy and lacked concentration. This then triggered speculations that MJ was suffering from anorexia nervosa.

In fact, in 1995 Michael Jackson was rushed to the hospital after collapsing during rehearsals for a televised performance which was subsequently cancelled. This is why during the onset of the news that MJ was now dead, several showbiz gossip columnists such as Perez Hilton dismissed it as a publicity stunt - because it had a precedent.

But as it turned out it was no joke or PR campaign. It was real. The King of Pop succumbed early and was gone too soon.

Michael Jackson's health problems were for real.

Aldric Chang is a creative entrepreneur who is at the moment building free online adventure games for kids and running a successful 3d animation studio. His creative accomplishments span across the production of several hundred animation projects, casual games, music compositions, cartoon animated series and a virtual world for kids.

Michael Jackson's Top 5 Songs, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Aldric Chang

Source: ezinearticles.com



Michael Jackson will never be the figure that he is after the songs. Beyond all the scandals, the controversies and the scars throughout the years, there is the music. In fact, all those abrogating being will be abandoned in a few decades but the songs will remain.

Really, it's all about the songs.

So our 3D action flat actuality in Mediafreaks has absitively to account its, "Michael Jackson", top 5 admired MJ songs. Out of all those singles, there are a few singles which will absolutely angle out a allotment of the rest.

1. Thriller

We jump to the a lot of acknowledged individual out of the a lot of acknowledged anthology in the history of pop music. Yes, that's Thriller for you. What's not to adulation with a alive Michael Jackson arrogant it out with zombies?

Thriller is a abnormal at its core, best exemplified in the music video of the song which eventually fabricated Michael Jackson into a domiciliary name. Thriller was appear on January 23, 1984 for the Ballsy label.

But what fabricated Michael ballsy in this video is this costume:

Beyond the chicken eyes, the awful bass voiceover, the werecat transformation and the crank production, this red anorak was added memorable to people. For any Michael Jackson impersonator, this anorak is a must-have.

2. Billie Jean

The individual Thriller off the anthology of the aforementioned name was the third song to be released. The iconic song with the addictive bass bandage which propelled MJ into civic alertness was Billie Jean.

Remember this bass line:

MJ accompanying that he anticipation of this bass bandage while central his car. This just goes to appearance how addictive the bass bandage is. This is why absent in the drag of the song is the lyrics created by Michael Jackson.

Billie Jean, as MJ narrates, is a babe who claims that she has a son by her. No, there is no absolute Billie Jean but rather this appearance is a accumulating of changeable stalker adventures he went through calm with his brothers, as aboriginal as the Jackson 5 days.

Billie Jean was appear as the additional individual off the Thriller anthology on January 2, 1983 and at first, the ambassador Quincy Jones didn't wish to cover it because he anticipation it was anemic abnormally the addition part. But MJ said this was the allotment which fabricated him wish to dance.

And the blow was history.

3. Atramentous or White

Black or White was the aboriginal individual off the anthology Dangerous in the 1990s. Talking about ancestral harmony, the song was appear in November 1991 and elements of harder rock, ball and rap are credible actuality - abnormally because Slash of the bandage Guns N' Roses provided the nacho in this track.

The music video of this song was absolutely acclaimed for the admittance of McCaulay Culkin who at that time was a actual accepted adolescent brilliant acknowledgment to the Home Alone cine series. For us actuality in our 3D action flat Mediafreaks, Atramentous or White is advocate for introducing morphing action in the end allotment of the song.

This was aswell a video which featured MJ's bend avaricious so it's all fun to see. Also, the song is absolutely acrid in the face of MJ's transformation throughout the years from a atramentous African-American, "Michael Jackson", into a white person.

4. Smooth Criminal

Of course, there are abounding music videos of Michael Jackson out there that it is difficult to choose. But we will baddest Smooth Criminal (from the anthology Bad, appear in 1988) for its characteristic ball steps. Remember the anti-gravity angular area Michael seems to baffle the laws of physics by aptitude advanced after accident balance.

This ball footfall was so artistic that the anti-gravity angular had been activated for a patent!

This allotment of the account is a accolade as able-bodied to added ball music videos of MJ such as Don't Stop til You Get Enough and Bedrock With You. But through it all, Smooth Criminal still has the a lot of recall.

5. Heal the World

We assets this song for our endure atom because MJ has been alive throughout his activity to advance amusing acquaintance to humans everywhere. These songs such as We Are the World and the Earth Song accept been alive in overextension advocacies to people. But Heal the World, a cut from the 1991 Dangerous Album, is appropriate because its melody is absolutely the a lot of abatement in my own preference.

Just to appearance how affectionate this song is, this is one of the few songs which did not affection MJ in the music video. It was absolutely affecting to apprehend this song played in his funeral.

Aldric Chang is a creative entrepreneur who is at the moment building virtual worlds for kids and running a successful 3d animation studio. His creative accomplishments span across the production of several hundred animation projects, casual games, music compositions, cartoon animated series and a virtual world for kids.

What we should remember about Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Christina Pomoni

Source: articlesbase.com



He was equally adored and ridiculed like no one else. He made society respectful to the African-American people, but he passed away as a white guy. Controversy and unconventional lifestyle characterized more than half of his lifetime, but his extraordinary dance skills and singing talent elevated him to heights undreamt of. He was humiliated and shattered by the tabloids because of his alleged relationships with children, but he sold over 750 millions copies worldwide. Michael Jackson passed away shockingly at the age of 50, on June 25, 2009, but his legacy goes beyond ordinary obituaries, exceeding the limits of human perception.Jacko, as his fans loved to call him, started his fascinating career in 1969, at the age of 11 with The Jackson Five. Although he was the youngest of the five Jackson brothers, he stood out for his incredible dance moves and his high-pitched voice. In 1979, he released his first solo, "Michael Jackson", album, 'Off The, "Michael Jackson", Wall' that sold 20 million copies worldwide and went 7x Platinum in the U.S. However, Jacko's career soared to the sky with 'Thriller', released in 1982, the album with the highest record sales in the history of music. 'Thriller' sold nearly 107 million copies worldwide, stayed #1 for 37 weeks and went 28x Platinum. Because of its enormous success, 'Billie Jean' and 'Beat It' were the first video clips ever aired on MTV by an African-American artist, which, in effect, opened the way for the Black community to gain mainstream acknowledgment. It also enabled the promotion and development of R&B, hip-hop and pop music.After 'Thriller', Jacko released another four albums, 'Bad' in 1987, 'Dangerous' in 1991, 'History' in 1995 and 'Invincible' in 2001. However, none had the huge success and insight of 'Thriller' although many singles hit #1 of the UK and U.S. Billboard 200 Charts as well as #1 of U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.But Michael Jackson was so much more than that.With his moves, his unparalleled choreography and his plastic body, Jacko captured the mood of pop culture. Moving like he had no bones as he was moonwalking under the white glare of the concert lights, adorned in his gold-plate military style jacket and his single sparkling glove, his white shirt or his gold uniform, looking invincible as the air was blowing on his curly hair and whitish face, while the special effects were playing games with the audience behind him, Jacko's live performances were an unforgettable experience that was lighting up the stage.Apart from his revolutionary dancing style and stage presence, Jacko featured a completely innovative way the video clips would be used from his time onwards. Featuring complex dance routines, special effects and many super-competent dancers and always narrating the story of his song in image clips, Jackson transformed video clips into an art form that could promote his musical talent and his future influence on pop music.However, controversy came ahead of time in the glow of Michael Jackson. Since the times of The Jackson Five, his father and manager of the group would beat him with a belt to improve his dance routines. Later on, Jacko suffered numerous plastic surgeries that made his skin incredibly thinner causing him an overall bad health condition. On the top of everything, he was accused of molesting young boys and having an alleged encounter with actor, Macaulay Culkin. Jacko was found non-guilty as charged, but his assets declined severely, dividing public opinion.Having won 197 awards during his 40-year career, Michael Jackson was ready to return on stage. Unfortunately, he never made it to London. His sudden death was as shocking as his success. His American fans in Los Angeles gathered outside UCLA Medical Center to support him during his last moments. Many of them were doing his famous moonwalking and were singing his smash hits with tears in their eyes. Japanese fans were lighting candles to honor his memory, while all European channels had tributes to the phenomenon of Michael Jackson.Jacko will be soon forgotten for his legal woes and he will be remembered for his unprecedented contribution to global pop culture and his humanitarian work. It's true that he has been mocked for his plastic surgeries, his skin color changing and his cheekbone and nose thinning. Many people were laughing at him saying he would break in pieces on stage in his forthcoming concerts in London, on February 2010. Media was harsh on him, maybe harsher than what they have been on really 'bad' guys, although Jacko had always been a sweet-talking person, genuinely wonderful and compassionate. Besides, having supported 39 charity organizations through sponsorships or donations, Jacko's humanitarian work was great.His fans always stood next to him, supporting him, never believing a word about him being a molester, swearing he suffered from vitiligo, lupus, anorexia nervosa, and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).His enemies stood against him, attacking him, disregarding his talent and judging him only for his eccentric acts and alleged accusations.Only Michael Jackson knows the truth about him. All of us, whether we stand for or against him, we have a common truth: If it wasn't for him, African-American artists would need another twenty years to see their video clips aired on MTV or their work promoted on radio and TV shows. If it wasn't for him, money would never be raised for AIDS like it happened in 1986 with his 'We Are the World' campaign and Africa would have to wait way too long for money to be raised for starving children.If it wasn't for him, for his explosive dance grooves, his unmatched voice, his unequalled passion on stage, his constant influence on music and fashion, his contribution to the social equality and demolition of racial barriers, pop culture would never be the same. It would perhaps have the philosophy to progress, but the skills were instilled by a boy born on Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958.The 'King of Pop' keeps on moonwalking; only we cannot see him anymore.Rest in peace, Michael Jackson. We are grateful for all you taught us.

I work as a financial and investment advisor but my passion is writing, music and photography. Writing mostly about finance, business and music, being an amateur photographer and a professional dj, I am inspired from life.

Being a strong advocate of simplicity in life, I love my family, my partner and all the people that have stood by me with or without knowing. And I hope that someday, human nature will cease to be greedy and demanding realizing that the more we have the more we want and the more we satisfy our needs the more needs we create. And this is so needless after all.

The Michael Jackson Anthem, Michael Jackson Memorial

Author: Anonymous

Source: free-articles



In the wake of recent allegations, Nikhil Gangavane, a Michael Jackson fan from India made a song called "The Michael Jackson Anthem" in 2 days. He has composed, written and also sings in the song. He is accompanied by other amateur artists for back up vocals. Looking at the time constraints the song was released at 12:00 AM on 21st November on the website - http://www.clubmj.com for free downloads for Michael Jackson fans. The site first recorded 2000 downloads within 3 days after its release, 3000 downloads within 5 days after its release and 4000 downlaods within 8 days of its release.



The song will be used as a weapon by all Michael Jackson fans worldwide against the Anti-Jackson Media and Jackson haters. In all the major events taking place worldwide where the fans will be together, the song will be the main song performed for the king of pop. Michael Jackson fans.. They never stop! The lyrics to the anthem are provided below.





The Michael Jackson Anthem



Composed, Written and Sung by Nikhil Gangavane



You try to hurt him / Time and again

Fed the news with your lies / But in vain

Cuz he never broke down / Stood stiff and sound

Kept moving the world / But you followed him around

Don’t know him enough / And still you call him a freak

Never stopped with your madness / Thought he was weak

You could never understand / That he’s the man

Who is healing the world / In all the ways he can



Try to harm him now / And I’ll block your way

Hurl a stone at him / We’ll make you feel the pain

We’re here to fight / Against all who hate

Won’t ever let you / Bother him again

Now how can you think / That you’re foolin’ me

When the truth’s out there / For all to see

Through all the times / Here we will be

We’re not just fans / We are his swords and shields



He’s the King of Pop / We’ve no doubts about it (No doubts about it)

His music pumps up our heart-beats / We’ll always stand by him (Stand by him)

He’s the man we’ve always loved / He taught us how we should be (How we should be)

Spreading love and peace around / Like he’s always been (He has always been the King)



He goes out of his way / To lend a helping hand

To heal the broken / Hearts he finds

When everybody / Ignores their cries

He’s the only angel, "Michael Jackson", / In disguise

When they’re cryin’ alone / Lost in the time

Wiping of their tears / He makes them smile

Why this never made it / To your TV screens

Never was in print / In the news that you read



Try to harm him now / And I’ll block your way

Hurl a stone at him / We’ll make you feel the pain

We’re here to fight / Against all who hate

Won’t ever let you / Bother him again

Now how can you think / That you’re foolin’ me

When the truth’s out there / For all to see

Through all, "Michael Jackson", the times / Here we will be

We’re not just fans / We are his swords and shields



He’s the King of Pop / We have no doubts about it (Doubts about it)

His music pumps up our heart-beats / We’ll always stand by him (Stand by him)

He’s the man we’ve always loved / He taught us how we should be (How we should be)

Spreading love and peace around / Like he’s always been (He has always been the King)



(Repeat* 2 Times)