Goodbye, Michael.

From http://soulofachampion.blogspot.com
As I watched the Michael Jackson memorial, I couldn't help but be amazed and in awe of the outpouring of love for this man. Celebrities and fans gathered together in the Staples Center, Times Square, CNN.com/Facebook, and all around the world to celebrate the life of a man who's music consistently told us to love, heal the world, and let change start with ourselves.

The memorial service made me think of how one should want to be remembered. As we know like none of us, Mike wasnt perfect. He was a man who came with flaws, shortcomings, and mistakes. He was also a man who, for a period of time, held the media spotlight in controversy with allegations of child molestation and all out weirdness.

Since his death, people from all over have come out to say good and bad about him. In the wake of all of this, I think what the world has learned is to judge someone on the totality of their being and not the singularity of their actions. Michael Jackson will go down in history as the greatest performer ever, he'll be remembered for selling the most albums of all time, he'll be held in high regard for being a humanitarian, a samaritan, and a father. It's my hope that when all of the dust has settled, he'll be simply understood.

What we must remember, especially those of us who consider ourselves righteous and above reproach is that no one is perfect. While watching on CNN.com via facebook, I was shocked by all of the negativity that the jury of public opinion has seemingly convicted him on. Remember, the constitution of the United States allows a person to be innocent until proven guilty. There have been investigators that have tried to prove him guilty and couldnt. To those people I say, keep the propaganda to yourself. Remember the lessons that you're mothers probably taught you in that "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

Throughout all of the many faces, eccentricities, and tabloid headlines about Michael Jackson, his messages taught us all to love, challenge our beliefs, made us dance and wouldn't let us stop 'til we got enough. I challenge all who read this to live and love fully and innocently. I challenge you to try and have an impact on so many lives that your memorial service will fill the Staples Center. Lastly, I dare you to be charitable and to try to bring people together. Michael did an excellent job of it in life and in death. Be thankful for the music and the man because the music the man created will last forever, the man is gone from us now.

Goodbye, Michael. You'll be missed and gone too soon.