PURA VIDA: The Death of Michael Jackson aka "King of Pop!"

In the early hours after hearing of his death, I sat in disbelief as I looked at his older videos. I could not believe such vibrance and LIFE could ever be stilled or snuffed out.

As I write this, less than 24 hours after his death, and having seen his videos replayed and replayed, I KNOW NOW: That life will never be anything but what it was... ALIVE, PULSATING, EXCITING, THRILLING! PURA VIDA: PURE LIFE! as they say in Costa Rica!


Michael Jackson represents Pura Vida, and he was Pura Vida: PURE LIFE!

Regardless of any negatives that surround the man, no one can dispute that what Michael Jackson, aka "The King of Pop," did for the world was to make us feel so ALIVE!

I don't know anyone, who, if down in spirit, would not immediately be lifted out of their sadness at least for a few moments, were "Thriller," "Don't Stop till You get Enough," "Billie Jean," or any of Michael Jackson's many songs or videos be played around them.


Michael Jackson died from a heart attack during a period of time when he was preparing and training to make a comeback with a planned tour in major cities around the world.

Many are crying that he died too soon.


I beg to differ.

There's only so much you can give to the world.

Michael Jackson gave plenty. He gave his all. I'm so grateful that finally, finally, finally, Michael Jackson is at peace.

When all the news of recent years hit the airwaves, I distanced myself emotionally, and in every other way, from forming an opinion or becoming embroiled in any debate about Michael Jackson's guilt or innocence. I chose to focus instead, even at that time, at what had brought us to this point.


From that perspective, I was clearly able to see ...even then...a troubled Soul!

I saw a Soul that was lost from its source and its own INTENTION and CREATION for being PURA VIDA: PURE LIFE!


When that happens to any of us, whether we're known or unknown, we flop around and flounder like a "fish out of water."


It was no less so with Michael Jackson.

When "The King of Pop" was not doing what he was "naturally" created to do, he flopped around and floundered in many other aspects of his life.


Had he remained tied to his BEINGNESS of "PURA VIDA," we would not have been witnesses to the ugliness we've seen surround Michael Jackson in recent times.

I never forgot the frail, troubled, confused image of Michael Jackson, dressed in pajama pants, as he slowly picked his way into the court for yet another hearing on child molestation charges.

The INDIGNITY of that! Whether true or NOT, it was humiliating for us ALL to be witnesses to the fall of a man who was made for GREATER THINGS! Even today, that image brings me tremendous discomfort.

Some people are born GREAT, some have greatness thrusted upon them, and yet others achieve GREATNESS.

Michael Jackson, "The King of Pop," was in that last category: He achieved Greatness.


As the Rev. Al Sharpton reminded us yesterday, he broke down race barriers, way before there was a "Tiger Woods or an Oprah Winfrey, or a Barack Obama!"


We should remember this about Michael Jackson: He Achieved GREATNESS at A TIME it was not popular to be black.

Yet, we wonder WHY he became CONFUSED about his identity????


I gained a lot of respect for Al Sharpton just for reminding us of THAT: Michael Jackson achieved at a TIME, it was NOT popular to be black.

We certainly can spectulate about whether he would have undertaken the re-imaging of himself had he been born at least two decades later...we see the togetherness of the likes of Beyonce', Jay-Z, Alicia Keyes,Usher, P-Diddy, Kanye West, Queen Latifah, India Arie...and so many other younger performers and stars.

Those black folks are TOGETHER. THEY ARE SOLID...because of the likes of Michael Jackson and others who went before them...and opened UP the world of adoring fans...regardless of color.

Someone HAD TO PAY A PRICE. It was Michael Jackson. He was the GREATEST. He was a GIFT to us. He was the "King of Pop!"

He paid a price.

Jesus, The Christ, had to pay a price for all of mankind.

Michael Jackson paid a price for being BLACK and being popular and adored and RICH, very, VERY RICH, and not knowing what to do with the money.



Everyone could LOOK AND LEARN FROM HIS MISTAKES...and say:'"I will not walk that road."

They could say it, BECAUSE someone had gone before them and they could improve on those efforts.

It's always HARD to be the first. It is always HARD to be first. It is always HARD to be a "living example!"

Michael Jackson: You taught us SO WELL!

May you finally be at Peace, knowing that you did the best you could giving us: Pura Vida....Pure Life...teaching us about what LIVING life and GIVING TO THE WORLD should be all about!


We love you Michael.

You will never, EVER, be forgotten!

And actually, man, you DID make your comeback:

This IS your "Resurrection!"

Be at peace, now.

Namaste',

Che'
NOTE: See memorial photos on side of blog or by cutting/pasting this link: http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michael-Jackson-Memorial/ss/events/en/070609mjacksonstaple