I cannot believe that it is the one year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death! With all of the tributes taking place during this award season, we are continually reminded that he is gone. Many know him for the legacy of music and dance that he left behind. There are many imitators, but Michael Jackson was the original. He grew to be a troubled man, but he was a human being. So many people loved him. I loved him.
I grew up listening to his music. My cousins and I would sing his songs at the top of our lungs, as we danced uncontrollably around my grandparents’ home. As a child, I remember kids wearing the black and silver or white and hot pink L.A. Gear high top sneakers with the glitter shoe strings – a tribute to Michael Jackson. We also wore the silver gloves (of course) and the pleather jackets with the silver spikes (a tribute to the Thriller music video).
While I like some of the music videos better than the songs themselves, there are several of his classics that I truly enjoy. Some of my favorite MJ songs are Rock With You, You are Not Alone, Butterflies, and Heal the World. His song entitled, “Man in the Mirror” is somewhere in my top two favorites. After listening to it over and over, and finally learning all of the lyrics as a child, my heart beckoned to answer the question, “What can I do?”
The power of the song drew me in, demanding a response:
I’m gonna make a change, for once in my life
It’s gonna feel real good, it’s gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right…
I see the kids on the street, without enough to eat
Who am I to be blind? Pretending not to see there needs…
I’ve been a victim of, a selfish kind of love,
It’s time that I realize, there are some with no home
Without a nickel to loan, could it be really me
Pretending that they’re not alone?
They follow each other on the wind ya know, ‘cause they got no where to go.
They follow each other on the wind ya see, ‘cause they got no place to be.
That’s why I’m starting with me; I’m STARTING WITH THE MAN IN THE MIRROR.
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer,
If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at YOURSELF and make a change.
This past year, my family and I consciously made two decisions to change.
- We adopted a child from Compassion International. – You can adopt a child for the amount of money that it costs the average American to purchase two coffees a week.
- We recycle faithfully. – It is quite an easy thing for me to do actually. I drink water from my plastic containers, empty the oatmeal and cereal boxes, and stack the recycle products on the floor by the garage door. Once a week, my husband comes behind me to pick up the recyclables, stack them in a can, and roll them to the end of the street. When I am out and about, I carry the recycled products from my bag to my car and eventually they make it to the same floor in the corner by the garage door.
That’s what we have done after looking at ourselves in the mirror this past year. This year, we will take another look.
How about you? Have you, will you, make a change?
A SISTA'S JOURNEY 
For years I’ve been a sponsor of a child in Haiti. I stopped participating because I think there’s as great a need here in this country and even locally for similar assistance.
In our area recycling is a requirement. To be honest, I’m not sure I’d participate were it not so. Sad, true but there you have it.
The loss of MJ was a big shock to me. I’m equally surprised that an entire year has gone by without closure.
“Orion” 🙂 Thank you for reading this blog. I look forward to growing our new found relationship. Blessings, Natasha
The name betta-wit-tyyme says it all. I am a totally different individual today than I was yesterday and each day I strive to be better. Getting better is a good thing. I spoke to a gentleman a few days ago who wanted to get to know me better. My first question before I gave him my number was “Are you Saved?” He said yes. I was happy to hear that and took his number. But what saddend me was his comment when we spoke a few days later. We began having a conversation. He made the comment “I’m not a saint” after I asked him a question regarding his life walk. My response was none of are saints but we should be striving to be our best. I still don’t understand how he was offended with my response. God calls us to be holy, if we are not living holy we should be striving to be holy. I am so proud of the change in my lifestyle, views, and attitudes. It has made me a better person, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend. Unfortunately, as I make these changes, I find that some people are bringing negative energy around me and I have to limit there interaction me. Forunately, it has also bought positive changes to people who I interact with me. I will continue to change for the positive as I continue to study and apply God’s word to my life and instil in in my daughter as well. I credit my parents, my best friend, and my church family for helping me be a better me. God is opening so many doors for me and I am overwhelmed with his grace and mercy.
I thank God that I (too) am getting better with time. Isn’t it wonderful to be redeemed?