Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, was truly a global icon who left an indelible impact on the world of music, dance, and fashion. From a young age, it was clear that Michael had immense, God-given talent that set him apart from others. His singing and dancing abilities were simply supernatural, leaving audiences in awe and wonder wherever he performed. As the lead singer of the Jackson 5 and later as a phenomenally successful solo artist, Michael shattered records, broke barriers, and inspired generations with his artistry. His 1982 album Thriller still holds the record as the bestselling album of all time. For over four decades, Michael’s unique sound, style, and moves captivated fans worldwide.
Beyond his incredible talent, Michael had a vulnerability and humanitarianism that further endeared him to his fans. He used his fame and fortune to advocate for children’s welfare, fight hunger, and promote racial equality. Through donations and hands-on efforts, Michael showed a genuine concern for making the world a better place. This combination of supernatural talent and human compassion is what made Michael Jackson such a legendary icon.
However, Michael’s life was not without controversies and struggles. He faced accusations of child sexual abuse, rampant tabloid rumors, and intense scrutiny from the media. Michael also struggled with his self-image and confidence at times. He underwent numerous plastic surgeries and skin lightening procedures that visibly changed his appearance over the years. Michael endured incredible stress related to fame, public perceptions, legal issues, and his demanding work schedule. There were times when it seemed the pressures of stardom might break him.
Looking back, if Michael Jackson could give his younger self advice, there are several important things he would likely say:
Protect Your Childlike Innocence
From a very young age, Michael exuded a childlike wonder, joy, and innocence in his personality and performances. He loved playfully interacting with children and maintained a fun, lighthearted spirit well into adulthood. However, the harsh realities of fame and public scrutiny dimmed some of the joy during Michael’s later years.
If he could speak to his younger self, Michael would urge him to cherish and protect his childlike innocence. The world can be cold and cynical, but we must keep our hearts light, hopeful, and filled with wide-eyed wonder. He would advise his younger self to never let the inevitable challenges of life and fame rob him of his youthful exuberance.
Michael might say, “The world needs your innocent spirit – it’s a gift to share with others.” He would emphasize that by protecting one’s childlike innocence, you can spread more joy and have fun even during life’s difficulties. Michael would remind his younger self that innocence is not naivete but rather a conscious choice to remain hopeful and enthusiastic despite life’s hardships. Protecting his innocent heart would help Michael weather fame’s storms.
Choose Your Friends Wisely
As Michael skyrocketed to fame, he was surrounded by tons of people – handlers, consultants, agents, attorneys, and hangers-on. Some had Michael’s best interests at heart, sincerely wanting to see him succeed and be happy. But others were simply using Michael for money, fame, or influence. Unfortunately, Michael did not always have the discernment to distinguish true friends from deceitful opportunists.
If Michael could advise his younger self, he would caution him to choose friends and advisors extremely carefully. He would say, “Not everyone who smiles at you is trustworthy – look deeper into their motivations and hearts.” Michael would urge his younger self to keep his circle of trust small, only letting in those with genuine care for him as a person. True friends want what is best for you, not just what benefits them. Michael would emphasize surrounding himself with wise counsel who could help guide him through the perils of fame. Taking time to discern true allies would protect Michael from opportunists who would exploit him.
Michael might tell his younger self, “You have a good heart – listen to it when judging if people are sincere friends or just want to use you. Your intuition is powerful.” Choosing friends cautiously and wisely would help prevent much hurt and heartache later on.
Maintain Perspective on Fame and Fortune
When the Jackson 5 first started taking off, Michael was enamored by the glitz and glory of celebrity. The cheers of crowds, hit records, and wealth beyond his wildest childhood dreams made fame seem like the pinnacle of success. But as Michael aged, the non-stop pressures and lack of privacy took a toll.
If Michael could go back, he would remind his younger self to maintain perspective on fame and fortune. He would note that while wealth and renown come with great opportunities, they can also distance you from real relationships and lead you down an unhealthy path if you aren’t careful. Michael would advise appreciating the privileges fame brought while staying grounded in deeper values.
He might say, “Never forget where you came from. At the end of the day, real life happens in ordinary moments with regular people who love you – not under the hot lights of the stage.” Michael would urge his younger self to view fame as a vehicle for bringing joy to others through his gifts, not an end in itself. And he would counsel wisely investing wealth to do good works for others in need rather than squandering it on empty extravagance.
Maintaining perspective would prevent Michael from becoming swallowed up by the empty trappings of fame. By anchoring himself in deeper values, Michael could enjoy celebrity while avoiding its dangerous pitfalls.
Prioritize Your Health and Wellbeing
As a performer, Michael pushed his body to incredible limits, rehearsing and dancing for endless hours without rest. His non-stop work schedule and dedication to perfection took an immense physical toll. And the incredible stress Michael faced led him to unhealthy coping mechanisms like prescription drug abuse. If Michael could talk to his younger self, he would urge him to take far better care of his physical and mental health.
Michael would advise his younger self to listen to his body’s limits and honor them, taking breaks to refresh and renew. He would counsel his younger self to surround himself with a medical team focused on prioritizing his holistic health – not just enabling performance at any cost. Michael would implore himself to adopt healthy eating, exercising, and sleeping habits despite his packed schedule. He would also advise developing healthy outlets to cope with the inevitable stresses fame would bring.
Most importantly, Michael would remind his younger self that his health and wellbeing matter more than anything else. Without caring for himself first, the performance abilities that brought so much joy to others would be hindered. By retuning his life around his physical, emotional, and mental health, Michael could thrive and share his gifts with the world for years to come.
Never Lose Sight of Your Dreams
From a very early age, Michael was a dreamer. He envisioned himself as an entertainer who could move audiences and change hearts. Even when faced with adversity, Michael relentlessly pursued his dreams with hard work and determination. This commitment to his vision is what fueled his stratospheric rise.
However, in his later years, the cascading pressures of fame caused Michael to lose touch with some of his creative dreams. The business side of the entertainment industry started to eclipse his artistry. Michael became more focused on churning out hits and protecting his image than expressing himself. If Michael could speak to his younger self, he would tell him to never lose sight of what put that sparkle in his eye and fire in his belly.
Michael would say, “You have a divine gift to share with the world. Never let anything distract or dissuade you from realizing your creative dreams.” He would encourage his younger self to keep chasing his visions, to keep turning new sounds and dance moves over in his mind. Michael would remind himself that his dreams were a gift straight from God, and that bringing them to fruition was his life’s true purpose. He would urge his younger self to pray and meditate whenever discouraged and reconnect with that internal spark.
Above all, Michael would remind himself, “I was born to create magic and touch hearts through music and dance. That is my soul’s destiny and my life’s ultimate fulfillment.” By tenaciously pursuing his dreams, Michael could experience the deep joy and satisfaction that comes from maximizing God-given abilities and touching others through creativity.
The life of Michael Jackson was incredibly complex – marked by phenomenal talent and success, deep pains and pressures, soaring highs and dispiriting lows. If Michael could look back at all he endured and give his younger self advice, he would urge him to protect his innocence, choose friends carefully, maintain perspective, care for himself, and never abandon his big dreams. Michael learned many hard lessons about the costs of fame through his life’s journey. By sharing those lessons, he could help guide his younger self down a path to more sustained joy and fulfillment. Though the pressures would remain intense, keeping these principles at the heart of his life and career could help Michael avoid some of the most devastating pitfalls of celebrity.
Of course, Michael was a once-in-a-generation superstar who redefined entertainment and popular culture. His experiences were exceedingly unique and his circumstances extreme. But many of the challenges he faced – compromised innocence, false friends, emptiness of fame, struggling with self-care, and losing touch with dreams – are shared by others on a smaller scale. So in many ways, the lessons Michael might impart to himself could be relevant to us all. Protecting the child within, choosing companions carefully, keeping fame and wealth in perspective, honoring physical and emotional needs, and nurturing dreams – these principles lead to a life of greater meaning, joy, and fulfillment for anyone.
Though his life ended prematurely, Michael Jackson’s legacy lives on forever. His music and magic touched billions of lives across the globe. The passion and awe he inspired in generations of fans is a testament to his otherworldly talent. As the King of Pop wrote in one lyric, “The whole world keeps dancing as one.” Even a decade after his passing, Michael Jackson remains the greatest entertainer of all time. His life provides an incredible example of the heights that can be reached when dodine talent combines with determination, heart, and a bit of pixie dust. If we each heed the lessons his journey teaches, we can live lives closer to the fullness that Michael exemplified when the spotlight shone brightest upon him. The King of Pop would settle for nothing less than for all of us to live out our grandest dreams.
