A couple of nights ago, I was fortunate enough to see Cirque du Soleil’s tribute to the late Michael Jackson.  The show is titled “Michael Jackson: The Immortal”.  Lay aside all your thoughts about MJ’s personal life, or, for that matter, his musical talent – as I know it’s not for everyone.  Few can argue this person’s impact on society during the 80s and 90s.  Obviously, he was no immortal – but his music reached lengths around the earth that no musician had before…and arguably, none has since.

Cirque du Soleil has always put on a good show, and they certainly fulfilled that expectation.  And while I did have quite an interest in seeing how they’d dramatize “the immortal”, I also looked quite forward to being immersed in an evening of nostalgia hearing old Michael Jackson songs replayed with concert-like volume.

The tribute was nice – probably different than what I expected, but not a bad thing.  As any good show does, they really saved some of the best for last.  The second half of the show really picked up in both drama and music selection.  But, for me, the last song of the night blew away the rest of the show.

I noticed a void throughout the night…one song missing.  They hit “Beat It” for a few seconds somewhat early.  “Billie Jean” came early, too.  The “Thriller” tribute was memorable.  But one of my personal favorites had been completely avoided all night – and I began to wonder if maybe I was the only guy who liked the song, “The Man in the Mirror”.

We noticed performers walking from the stage up into the seats while the lights were mostly out…very near the end of the show.  And as the first few notes of my favorite began to play, I muttered “they had to do this song tonight.”  The performers could only be spotted by the basketball-sized hearts they held in their respective places throughout the arena.  About a verse in, the hearts all made their way to the stage and the arena was somewhat spellbound by the spectacle as various human rights images were played on the large screens behind the stage.  It was quite moving…

For those who don’t know the song, it simply states:

I’m starting with the man in the mirror.

I’m asking him to make a change.

And no message could’ve been any clearer,

If you wanna make the world a better place

Take a look at yourself and then make that CHANGE!

In my previous post I quoted Gandhi (who was indeed one of the images flashed behind the stage during the song) who said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”  It truly does start with us, folks.  I see comments posted on Facebook every now and then that echo the sentiment, “Smile, it confuses people.”  I laugh because it’s true…unfortunately, it’s too true.

We do all truly have a cross to bear.  As the economy drags thinner and thinner, more and more are affected.  The more that are affected, the more stress it puts on just about everyone.  We’re all asked to do more, pull more weight, spread ourselves thinner and thinner.  Smiles for no reason?  They really do confuse people.

But you know what else happens?

When people see a smile, they are more likely to smile.  Sometimes it’s guilt – returning the favor to the silent smile of the passerby.  Sometimes it’s that lack of comfort.  And hey, sometimes they share in some level of joy.  The reasons why don’t really matter.  What matters most is the fact that something as simple as a smile can have ripple effects.

Try it.  One day.  Just smile for no reason – all day.  Play your favorite comedian in your ear all day if you have to, but smile so much that people think you must be up to something.  And then…count.  Watch how many smiles you create simply by smiling.

You know, we all have bad days.  Those who know me well know I have plenty.  But it’s a sweeter existence to try to find all the joy you can.  For me personally, my smiles come from my kids, my friends, my music, my reading, my work…really, just about anywhere.

My perfect world is one that’s smiling…and that’s the change in the world I’ve chosen for myself.  It’s not a perfect world, but it’s the best one I’ve found yet.

 

Start with the mirror, and make that change.

Tim

 

Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror”

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

 

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

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, yeah

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

Then you close your mind

 

Oh no, I’m gonna make a change

It’s gonna feel real good

Sure mon

Just lift yourself

You know, you got to stop it yourself

Make that change