The Life of Significant Soil

Significance: something one cannot really describe, but feels deeply-from the core. The thrill of hearing "your story matters, you mean something." Its not something we can know through touch, taste, or see. Rather, it's something felt deep from the innermost parts.

If I had to take a gander, I'd guess you come here seeking significance of one sort or another-some place of finding an identity that somewhere somehow just feels right and good. As the news spews of Michael Jackson's death, I cannot help but reflect on the human quest for significance.

What was Jackson's dream? Love and adoration from millions? Posessions and accolades? Having children, family, lovers who hugged him and approved of his way of being? Once he "made it" when did it become too much or was it never enough? The aura of tragedy surrounding his death makes me think it really was never enough.

Jackson's life story reminds me of the too old tale of mid-life crises: "I have reached the top, but the victory lacks that sweetness I anticipated. And it's not lasting." Nothing is ever, ever enough.

What really matters in this society that falls to pieces when Michael Jackson dies unexpectedly? As networks overflow with mourning, old music videos and a frenzy of questions surrounding cause of death, I challenge the viewer to consider what we can learn from Jackson's story. His story of fame and fortune is by no means a glamorous blitz. Tears were wrought, family struggles ensued, accusations whirled. It seems like it was almost impossible for Jackson to escape the flurry of fans and media continually surrounding him. How did he cope? Various exposes from years past suggest not that well: snuggling up with children, drug use, overspending. By and through, he was trying to deal with all the mess-in one form or another.

As we reflect on the past, looking to our own futures how can we grow and mature in our own searches for significance? The shiny toys aren't enough, neither are the praises of men. And by what standard do we choose to define ourselves? Jackson's life, like any other ended in death. What kind of legacy do we want to leave behind and how does rightly rooted significance play into this?

"Love is the revelation of our deepest personal meaning, value, and identity. But this revelation remains impossible as long as we are the prisoner of our own egoism. I cannot find myself in myself, but only in another. My true meaning and worth are shown to me not in my estimate of myself, but in the eyes of the one who loves me; and that one must love me as I am, with my faults and limitations, revealing to me the truth that these faults and limitations cannot destroy my worth in their eyes; and that I am therefore valuable as a person, in spite of my shortcomings, in spite of the imperfections of my exterior ‘package.’ The package is totally unimportant. What matters is this infinitely precious message which I can discover only in my love for another person. And this message, this secret, is not fully revealed to me unless at the same time I am able to see and understand the mysterious and unique worth of the one I love." -Thomas Merton