Never look down on anyone unless you're helping them up

Point to Ponder: "And my goal in life is to give to the world what I was lucky to receive: the ecstasy of divine union through my music and my dance." - MJ

 

STORY LINE: written by Rajiv Shah

I recently watched a film about the late Michael Jackson's life, THIS IS IT. I've been a fan of his for a long time – his music, his humanitarian work, and his capacity for compassion even when the world condemned him. One of the segments in the film touched me deeply and got me thinking about the theme of today's reflection.
            
Michael Bearden was hired as Michael's music supervisor on his last concert tour. A concert that never happened due to Jackson's untimely death. Bearden was recalling his strongest memory of Jackson- an encounter he had during their rehearsals together. The memory revolved around their shared first names, Michael.
            
Bearden and Jackson were working on a musical selection when Michael Jackson stopped and said, “Bearde, you know what our name means? Well, our name means one who is most like God.”
            
Bearden shook his head triumphantly and a cocky smile broke across his face.
            
Jackson was quick to stop him, “no, no, no, we got to be humble. We gotta be humble.”
            
Bearden could see Jackson sobering. “I am humble MJ. Why are you so serious about this?”
            
“Well, I don't want God to take our gifts away.”
            
Bearden shook his head, “I don't think that's going to happen. And I think your gifts are greater than mine.”
            
Jackson was heated, “no, no, no, don't say that. Don't say that.”
            
“Well, why MJ?”
            
“Because you're here with me and I'm here with you. And we have to use our gifts together to help people figure out what their gifts are.”
 

Bearden was speechless. Here was arguably the greatest entertainer of all time telling him that they were there to help other people discover their own gifts. Bearden would add that Jackson's humanity, his empathy, and compassion are what set him apart. For Michael, in Bearden's estimation, truly did care about people.

            
Reflection:
 
Much like Bearden, at first glance I misinterpreted what Michael had initially said about being most like God. Just like Bearden, I thought that Jackson was self-congratulating himself for his own gifts. That God had chosen them, to bestow onto them, these unique qualities and for that reason were better than others.

So I watched the segment again. And again. And the more I listened, the more I came to realize that Michael Jackson wasn't operating from the same motivations we sometimes do. Being like God didn't mean that they were to put themselves onto a pedestal, but his talent was a responsibility to help others find their own passion through the gift he was given - music.

How often do we use our talents and our gifts to exalt our own own needs? How often can we say that we used our strengths to help another shine? And if not, why? Why is it we feel there is only a finite amount of talent, a limited amount of joy, and why do we feel we must keep it only for ourselves?

So the next time we look down I hope it is not to look at how far we've risen past another, to congratulate ourselves, but is instead there to help another up – to use your passion to encourage another to discover their own 'gifts.'

Comments

[Ramesh]

What you are is God's gift to you. What you become is your gift to God.

[friend from China]

I love this. thanks

[Sam]

There is a saying in Hindi which in translation means a "tree full of fruits hangs low". I have seen that as true all through my interactions with people in business. The most gifted folks are quite humble and willing to share their gifts with whoever wants to learn.

[Steph]

Things that are given away are never lost. Keep spreading the good work.

[Malay Man]

I like the title by itself .... from my years of experience ... noting beat the satisfaction we have after seeing someone we mentoring become more success than ourselves ....

[Andrew]

This reflection brought tears in my eyes.
I have been there before; deep down in the trenches. That is when I discovered the greatness of people who helped me come out and gave me opportunity to thrive again.

Appropriately said: How often do we use our talents and our gifts to exalt our own own needs? How often can we say that we used our strengths to help another shine? And if not, why? Why is it we feel there is only a finite amount of talent, a limited amount of joy, and why do we feel we must keep it only for ourselves?

So the next time we look down I hope it is not to look at how far we've risen past another, to congratulate ourselves, but is instead there to help another up – to use your passion to encourage another to discover their own 'gifts.'

[note from MS]

a very thoughtful reflection!

[Ajay]

Very true and insightful.

[California Guy]

This is an insight about Michael Jackson that I have not heard elsewhere. And after reading this reflection, I just realized that this theme is also present in the Disneyland attraction "Captain EO" that I saw earlier this month.

I agree with other comments about the power of mentoring other people and the personal satisfaction at seeing their growth and success. We just have to make sure that we maintain focus on the person(s) we are mentoring and not ourselves. We should be ready for rejection of our ideas as well as be open for spontaneous mentoring/learning in the reverse direction. Mentoring should be a dialogue, not a monologue.

[Seng by BST]

Very good one! It is true

[Comment from a friend from Japan (Posted by Anand)]

Wow, your son wrote such a great story which received nice feedback from many people.

Too many people behave as if their success are made by themselves without others' help.

Even though they might be financially rich, they are mentally poor. I think my most important job is to help other people to move up. It is very true that technical talent is not good enough and we need more passion / motivation / empathy / team work instead of being selfish. I will coach behavior and soft skill more.

Everyone is connected in the universe, and we are sharing the same time. Human being is so stupid to damage the earth and never stops. I read Thomas Friedman's book ‘Hot, Flat and Crowded’ recently, and really think we need to influence all nations to cooperate to save the earth. Polluted environment will kill everyone. We must lead the green revolution.

[KK (Korea)]

Your Friday reflection, “Never look down on anyone unless you're helping them up” ; it’s really touching one to be a sincere leader as typical style leaders are still emphasizing Karisma with stiffness…

I heard from Television today that “Leader is not a special person like Hitler or Napoleon, but a common motivator to help to stimulate each individual to achieve his/her target by using kind-hearted influence…I love that definition and I understand you’re the right role model of motivator in mental maturity…

I’ve been learning a lot from Friday reflection and started to share with Korean young students in school.”

Hope to see you soon