MJ

My Grandmother once told me that "It doesn't matter what you do in your life, the size of the attendance at your funeral will be determined by the weather."

And so many of us think about how and by whom we will be remembered.  What will be our legacy?  What will be the size of our impact?  Will we make a lasting impression on those left behind or will our memory quickly fade?

As interesting to me as the coverage of Michael Jackson's passing and today's memorial service, has been the overwhelming response to the coverage of Michael Jackson's passing and today's memorial service.  It seems as though this is one of those subjects where there is little middle ground.  People either believe that today's tribute to the King of Pop was either a heartfelt and momentous occasion or an absurdly large waste of television airtime.

Many are those who remember Michael Jackson's influence throughout his life-long career, both as an entertainer and philanthropist.  These people cherish the memory of a celebrity who influenced world wide culture, opening doors during the cold war, battling racism and inspiring through his art.

On the other hand, there are those who give lesser value to the contributions of the world-renowned singer and dancer.  These people question the depth of his impact, and ponder why the death of US soldiers in Afghanistan is published in section C of the newspaper while Michael's passing takes up the entire front page.  

Both of these views seem to hinge on a single question?  What is the true value of the impact of a human life?  

We all must go one day.  From the superstars to the soccer moms - those whose impact was felt worldwide and those who shaped only a single life.  Is one's contribution more valuable than the other?  Of course not, and we should not be disillusioned by the fact that one draws a larger crowd to his or her memorial. 

While a celebrity is memorialized by fans for what he did, a friend is remembered by loved ones for who he was.  Today is a day on which a great entertainer was remembered by millions who knew his name and mourned by a few who really knew him.  Somewhere else at the same time, the same loss was felt by the survivors of mothers and soldiers alike.

Let us not give way to the cynicism that would mock those who took part in remembering an American icon, but remember that life and its impact is felt by all of those we are able to influence on a daily basis.  For some that influence spans the globe while others' influence will never been known outside of their own home town.  But neither is of greater or lesser importance.  And with that in mind, let us live in such a way that we will be remembered by those we leave behind, be they friends or fans, for both who we are and what we do.

"If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change."