the man in the mirror

 

Ooh ooh ooh aah
Gotta make a change
For once in my life
It’s gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right

As I turned up the collar on
A favorite winter coat
This wind is blowin’ my mind
I see the kids in the street
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind
Pretending not to see their needs

A summer’s disregard
A broken bottle top
And a one man’s soul
They follow each other
On the wind ya’ know
‘Cause they got nowhere to go
That’s why I want you to know

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change, yey
Na na na, na na na, na na na na oh ho

I’ve been a victim of
A selfish kinda love
It’s time that I realize
There are some with no home
Not a nickel to loan
Could it be really pretending that they’re not alone

A willow deeply scarred
Somebody’s broken heart
And a washed out dream
(Washed out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind ya’ see
‘Cause they got no place to be
That’s why I’m starting with me

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make that change

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
(Man in the mirror, oh yeah)
I’m asking him to change his ways, yeah
(Change)
No message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make the change
You gotta get it right, while you got the time
‘Cause when you close your heart
(You can’t close your, your mind)
Then you close your mind.

GOODBYE MICHAEL…

YOUR MUSIC LIVES…

that’s my Michael

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24

there’s no doubt about it.  Michael Jackson is the man.  based on worldwide reaction on the news of his death, there’s no denying that indeed, Michael is king.

when i read about his passing on the internet, all i could feel was shock and sadness.  although i don’t know him personally, he left a void that only a Michael Jackson could fill.

my first conscious memory of my love for music started with a tiny piece of a record player.  and there were two records that stood out from the rack. one was a local pinoy record of cinderella (?) “sa aking pag-iisa”, the flipside now escapes my memory.  and the other one was Michael’s  “ben” and “one day in your life”.  these records were played over and over again, so that at my tender pre-school age, i could already sing both songs correctly, and in tune.  thus started my unconscious connection with Michael Jackson. 

i am not really a die-hard fan.  but i love his songs and his uniqueness as a performer.  i practically grew up with his music.  Christmas was never complete without his “give love on Christmas day”. and when i was old enough for teenage love,  “she’s out of my life” was a favorite during LQs (lovers’ quarrels).  when love got deeper, it just got more romantic with ” i just can’t stop lovin’ you”. happy times were accompanied by “rock with you” and “black or white” or “pyt”.  most probably, he’s also the reason why Gary Valenciano is one of my top local favorites.  he moves and grooves muck like MJ too.  aside of course, from his deeply religious and inspirational songs.   and as i mature into a young lady, my awareness about the world’s urgent and more serious concerns were awakened by “we are the world” and “heal the world”.

his music became part of the soundtrack of my own life.  my favorite is “the man in the mirror”.  it somehow became a personal anthem of mine, believing that if ever i want to change something in the world for the better, i must begin with myself first.  it somehow gave me a deeper perspective about man’s existence.  and i knew somehow deep inside of me, that song had such a relevant impact on how i see myself in the context of being a part of the human race.

although Michael’s personal life may have sounded out of tune at times, we must remember that we have no right to judge anybody, much less someone who had made such a huge difference in the lives of many.  and if ever he had any faults, then who ever has none? so he never experienced an ideal childhood and preferred a reclusive life, so what? who can blame him for that?  all that matters now  is how his life, and his musical gifts that God had endowed upon him, had taught us. 

goodbye Michael…your music will forever live on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

we too, have our own God-given talents.  are the gifts that God has blessed us with, remain wrapped and hidden? is there something too, that is unique in us that we also ought to share? something that would make another’s life more profound and meaningful?  aahhh… we would never know, unless we take a look at ourselves…  i’m starting with the lady in the mirror.

hidden ko

“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden; or under a bowl.  Instead, he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.”  Luke 11:32-34

although there were other relevant issues that could affect our well-beings like the ah1n1 pandemic, the opening of the new school year or the state of the economy in general; the recent scandal involving prominet names in showbusiness and the medical profession have been hugging the headlines  for weeks now .  all i could feel is sadness and pity for the women who were obviously taken advantage of, consensual or otherwise.

yes, much had already been said about it, yet much more have already been seen in the videos.  and yes,  some people did something wrong. their secrets were recorded, then somehow, suddenly they were discovered.  now everyone involved is reacting, each in a way different from the other.  and so too the spectators.   so what now?  whatever have we gained from all this scandal? and what have we lost?

come to think of it, all of us make mistakes.  some we do knowingly.  but most of them, we carefully hide in the cores of our beings.  we go to great lengths just to conceal them.  until such time that circumstances give us away, and there is no place on earth to run or hide. and sometimes…just sometimes, we voluntarily give them up, because we can no longer stand the guilt.  our conscience overwhelms us.  until there’s no other way to go but confess, be sorry and resolve never to do it again.

but if there’s one good thing that comes out of these, it is that realization that the same can happen to us and we may better be prepared for it.  it may not be in the form of a scandal, but whatever the consequences of our own misgivings and excesses, we all have to face someday… somehow.  we may as well look inwards now, and watch  our own life video play.  is it worth watching over again? or is it too shameful we can’t even stand to watch, much less  play it over again?  does it inspire? or does it evoke only depression and frustration?

i believe this scandal episode is only a part of one big story.  it is one dream of mine that someday, the lead characters in this story, who are the legislators passing laws would rather sponsor bills rewarding people for the good they have done.  i also dream that someday, instead of scandals, crimes and frivolities, the primetime news would headline only the good, the better and the best in every person and the beauty of the world we live in.  perhaps, the inspiration would spread like a pandemic.  and maybe, we would all be stricken with only love and compassion.

i also dream that someday, videos would be able to expose the real essence of a human being.  maybe then, ang “hidden ko” would just be a thing of the past.