Michael Jackson died...lets move on

So, obviously the whole world is in a frenzy right now because Michael Jackson died. However, I have felt torn and troubled while wading through the thoughts in my mind about this, continually coming across people shaking their heads and proclaiming what a tragedy it is.
I cannot help but ask...what is the tragedy? What do people mean when they say that? What truly makes this such a huge event? I ask those questions not void of emotion, but with an honest heart. Don't think I'm a hater. I am not. I understand that Michael Jackson was an undeniable talent. I remember watching his videos on MTV and trying to learn the dances. (for those of you who may not know, MTV used to actually show music videos...what a concept, eh?) I get that he had a huge impact on music and racial boundaries in entertainment. I also mean no disrespect to his family and friends, who I am sure are going through a hard time now.

But seriously people...enough! I am annoyed. Actually, I felt annoyed from the beginning as I watched people crowd around the hospital where he had been taken. All I could think was, "Oh God, some person is going to die because they wont be able to get into the hospital through the crowds to get treatment." Thankfully I don't think that happened. Michael Jackson was called the "king of pop", and it appears we are treating him as royalty. He possibly and assuredly did some questionable and horrible things. Why are people so willing to turn a blind eye to that and lift him up? It is actually quite a powerful picture of forgiveness, but disturbing as well. I don't know why he did the things he did because he was not my friend, but I do know he died a talented but very troubled middle-aged man who lived a life in the spotlight, constantly tried to appease his perfectionism, probably wanted to change the world and was most likely hooked on drugs. The amazing thing about Michael Jackson is that we still have his music and the change he made.

I don't think that it is actually Michael Jackson that is annoying me the most about this frenzy. It is the fact that I believe we (as humans, as Americans..I dont know) are putting too much emotion into the wrong things. I am tired of the news highlighting celebrities. I feel as though I am drowning in media waste. Gross. I don't want to know anymore about the details of movie star A and movie star B's breakup. I want to know about the 9 year old girl who spent months of allowance to save a puppy from the pound. I want to hear about the 84 year old man who got his high school diploma. I want to read about advocates. I want to be moved and challenged. I want to change and be inspired to have an influence. I never ever want to even come close to being the person who spends hundreds of dollars to go stare at a celebrities corpse in a box instead of handing over a dime to help end hunger, disease and poverty. I honestly kind of feel like throwing up a little bit right now.
"We are the ones who make a brighter day"
from We are the World by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie
Let's move on.
Please.

quoted on purpose (part1)

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose."

-Robert Byrne

Simple enough, right? And something I've read or heard in about a zillion different places and translations. Yet, somehow, I still don't know what it means. I have ideas and even examples from my life of what it means. I know that the words resonate in my heart, but I can't focus enough in that experience to grab hold of what action I next take to continue with that life. It drives my mind crazy.

What does a life of purpose mean to you?