What about Death?

How to be, how to respond, when you feel a huge loss?The day after Michael Jackson died, I was listening to LBC radio, "London's Biggest Conversation." The presenter of the mid morning show, James O'Brien, said that he had decided to suspend all cynicism for one day. He invited his callers to share their memories and reflections about the life and music of Michael Jackson.

He commented that it was a time to contemplate the life and passing of Michael. (Perhaps it is no coincidence that Mr O'Brien was educated at Ampleforth College, the "Catholic Eton.")

The show that followed was one of the most powerful experiences I ever had in listening to the radio.

It was wonderful to experience what happens when permission if given to experience deep emotion other than anger, which is so common in society. Such a rare reminder that the human, vulnerable aspects of ourselves matter and should not be banished to the edges as we create systems more suited to robots.

A young solicitor rang in from her desk.. She said Michael's death had made her think about love, which she said was not a popular concept to talk about. People's hearts were really open! Thanks also to the gentleman who said that on his carp fishing website, which has a very "blokey" forum, all the comments were heartfelt and appreciative.

Death reminds me that indeed I and those I love will not be here for ever, but for some time now I have not felt that that is a tragedy. Sad, yes. Painful, yes. But it is a fact of life, that one day the journey here will be complete and I will move on, and those I love will move on.
The tragedy is more in not fully living, before death.

This is a truth that can help me live more fully, more deeply today, sharing love as best I can. Thank you to James O'Brien, and thank you to Michael Jackson who has been a fabulous gift to the world. How wonderful, if cynicism could be suspended for more than just a day.....perhaps we need a little cynicism (caution or scepticism might be better words) to survive in the external world. Beware of cynicism, it can rob us of the greatest treasure in life-our Real Self.