Finding Inspiration in the Untimely Passing of Those We Love

"Don't die with your song still in you," is a wise and cautionary expression that the inspiring author Wayne Dyer has shared with his readers and audiences countless times. It's an expression that has been on my mind a great deal over the past week, even before millions of music fans throughout the world learned of the tragic and untimely passing of the legendary Michael Jackson. Ironically, this great performer did have a four-decade career though which he had countless opportunities to share his songs with the world. (I will always remember the enthusiasm with which Miles Davis spoke about this young artist's music, when I spent a day with this jazz great back in the mid-1980's.) Nevertheless, the death of a young person - and as I approach my 50th birthday, I hope that you'll allow me to call Michael Jackson "young" - is especially tragic not just because of the family and friends that are left beyond, but because there is clearly so much that will now be left undone.

In fact, for more than a week now, I have felt the disconcerting void that is left when someone who has touched our lives is suddenly no longer with us. On June 19, I received that shocking news that my friend Emily -- a young lady only in her mid-twenties - chose to take her own life two days earlier. From what I can tell, my friend was not wallowing in depression. Instead, she struck those who met her as someone with a real zest for life and an delight in planning for the future. (Knowing two members of Ernest Hemingway's family quite well - his granddaughter Lorian and his niece Hillary - I have seen how the emotional impact of suicide lingers not just for years, but for decades.)

Like a painful slap, the news of my friend's sudden and unexpected departure woke me up to the enduring truth of the old cliche, "Every day is precious." The many unanswered questions provoked by Emily's suicide - and the sad realization that millions of music fans will never again experience the pleasure of hearing a new, joyous Michael Jackson song for the first time - have oddly enough given me a new appreciation for the career path I embarked upon four years ago - as "a storyteller for hire" in the field of public relations.

As I learned firsthand from my mentor Charles Kuralt (another great talent who left us too soon), it is a natural human desire to want to connect with a larger audience and share our message. In my experience, it is a unique and a uniquely fulfilling experience to connect with others, and be truly heard and understood. In my previous work as a news producer and now as a PR consultant and video producer, I've witnessed the truth of that observation hundreds perhaps thousands of times, but I often lose sight of the importance of sharing one's message today - without delay! Another crucial idea that was recently shared by Wayne Dyer - in his latest book, "Excuses Begone!" - relates to the importance of taking action "now," rather than living psychologically in the past or anticipating what "might" happen in the future. (Those who have read the books of the equally profound and inspiring author Eckhart Tolle, know how liberating and empowering "living in the now" can be.) As we reflect on those who have left us too soon - whether it's a dear friend, or an internationally known celebrity - let's take a few moments to reflect on how we might share our message with others. Let's give some thought to how we might touch, inspire and connect with others now, rather than later. It is through those moments of connection that we really leave our mark and really give the gift of our most important ideas and emotions. Let's not put this off! Whenever anyone asks for my support in expressing and conveying their message - whether that request comes from my young children, or from a new client - it never fails to be a moving and fulfilling process, one that I'm honored to participate in!
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