TheLoop21.com

By: CoachV (follow this member)
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 00:00

Like the rest of the world, I am in shock and mourning over the passing of Michael Jackson. Yes, I have even shed a few tears over the combination of brilliance, beauty and tragedy that marked his life. To lose such a great talent can only be considered tragic, although there were certainly — as the media repeatedly remind us — unfortunate realities in his life.

For Michael Jackson, to not sing, to not perform was to deny who he was, someone brought here to be despite the negative consequences of stardom. If I look at his life as the vastest of oceans, then I can only hope that my own legacy will be at least a ripple in that vastness. A ripple in that ocean would be a large impact indeed.

What about you? 
 
Read almost any story on MJ since his death and invariably, the first page speaks of his greatness but then page two (perhaps even paragraph two), you suddenly find yourself in the quagmire of drama and the unhealthy aspects of his human-ness.

I have no idea what may ultimately be revealed about his life in the days and weeks ahead, but I do know this: Whatever may come, Michael Jackson has left an indelible imprint on the music industry and the world. He has broken racial barriers and closed racial and generational divides. The world will never again know a talent like MJ. After all, what other artists do you know who could combine musical genius and dance artistry in the way that he did?

Michael Jackson is but one celebrity we've lost in the past week. We know their names — Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays — because they each had the courage to step out onto the skinny branches, to open their lives to immense scrutiny and judgment in their quest to fulfill their purpose, promise and passion.
 
What about you?
 
If God called you home tomorrow, what legacy will you leave? How will you be remembered? Are you the person you were brought here to be?
 
You were born to be great.
 
Yours in the journey,
Valerie

Valerie is a West Point graduate and owner of The Next Step, a professional coaching and consulting company committed to supporting leaders and businesses design goals and achieve exceptional results. She holds a master's degree in mental health counseling, is a certified International Coach Federation coach and the author of Leadership on Speed to be released in the fall.