Appreciating What We Create – A Lesson from Michael Jackson

Yesterday, an amazing talent in the person of Michael Jackson was lost suddenly.

His life was a dichotomy of phenomenal talent and passion for his craft on the one hand and a misunderstood, anguish-filled, pain-laden person on the other.

It is easy to embrace the positive and be critical and harsh of the negative – even when what we demand of celebrities often puts them on the slippery road of selling their soul to give us what we need.

Just as we cry foul when a company that produces the products we crave pollutes the environment in order to create them.

Just as we scream for justice when the financial institutions that we demand staggering returns from go belly up as they discover that the means of producing those returns is unsustainable.

Just as we turn our back on the incarcerated, writing them off as the lost and unsalvageable when investing our own gifts in others may have prevented someone from becoming this way in the first place.

We are quick to congratulate ourselves when we harvest something positive from society.

We are just as quick to criticize and blame others when what we harvest or perceive is not positive at all.

We can’t have it both ways.

We need to accept that we are responsible for what we create – the good and the bad.

Once we accept responsibility for both ends of the spectrum, maybe we will complain less and work harder to step up and create more positively and purposefully.

Michael Jackson did some things wrong in his life.  He did a lot of things right.  He overcame a lot.  Despite some of the things that he did that were wrong, he left a legacy to millions.

John Ruskin had a stone on his desk with one word carved in it. 

The word was “Today”.

What are you doing with the gift of today to leave a positive legacy to others?

Look within before looking outside.

Yours in service and servanthood.

Harry

Click here to read my detailed blog entry on “Appreciating What We Create”.

Living a Life of Gratitude

In a world that the media would love to convince you is falling apart, there is still much to be grateful for.

There will be many times in our life when we feel that we are being squeezed or even crushed.  Financial worry, relationship trouble, illness or other challenges will visit us at some point in our lives.

Anyone who says they have never had a challenge to overcome and don’t anticipate ever having one are either lying or delusional.

Life is not meant to be easy all the time.

M. Scott Peck, in his book “The Road Less Travelled”, opens the book with this thought:

Life is difficult.  This is a great truth , one of the greatest truths.  It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it.  Once we truly know that life is difficult – once we truly understand and accept it – then life is no longer difficult.  Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.

Despite our challenges, we continue to be blessed with much. 

Regardless of what we think of others, there are others out there who care for us and love us. 

There are people who are prepared to step up and help us.

The world is still filled with love, opportunity, collaboration, truth, sharing and beauty. 

The opportunity to create and to manifest miracles is greater now than ever.

It is still a place where dreams come true. 

Take some time and observe the strengths and resilience of people, especially children, who are struggling with poverty, illness, abuse, neglect, war, violence, loneliness, depression or some other great challenge.

Now take a look at people who have overcome all odds and made an impact in this world.

It’s an incredible world, isn’t it?

Be grateful for the opportunity to contribute to it and to leave your own legacy to others.

When life is hurting, dig deep.  Hold on to your faith and your belief that you must overcome this.  Look for the life lessons that will empower you to move forward.  Throw off the yoke of challenge and keep moving forward.

Live your life with the gratitude that you are blessed with many gifts that are unique to you.

Gifts that we can’t wait to experience and celebrate!

Yours in service and servanthood.

Harry

Click here to read my detailed blog entry on “Living a Life of Gratitude”.

Introducing Musings-in-a-Minute

Good day!

This is the new home for my musings-in-a-minute.

This is the home for a summarized version of my detailed musings and observations, for all blogs posted after June 23, 2009.

Each of my musings-in-a-minute has a link to the main blog if you would like to read the detailed version of my blog entry!

Create a great day!

Harry