I looked on with so much admiration and wonder.

I had never spent that much time searching for someone like that. The way Michael Jackson danced with such precision and energy, and his angelic voice that felt like an entire orchestra, captivated me. In just a few moments, I fell in love with who he was and what he was passionate about.

Growing up, I wasn’t very familiar with his music. As I got older, I heard people talk about him a lot, but most of what I heard was controversial. So whenever I heard the name “Michael Jackson,” I became judgmental and dismissive, even though I barely knew anything about him.

But then I watched a video of him.

That moment changed everything.

I started looking him up, learning as much as I could, and what I found surprised me. Instead of disliking him, I began to appreciate him. I realized I had been wrong to form an opinion without truly understanding who he was.

A trend about someone is not always the truth about who they are. Michael Jackson was human, like anyone else. Whether or not everything we saw was the full reality, there was something about him that felt gentle, almost angelic. He came across as loving, kind, and soft, yet he also had his struggles.

His story reminded me that people are rarely just one thing. There is often more beneath the surface than what trends, headlines, or public opinion choose to show.

Watching Michael Jackson now, I may never have known him personally. He existed before I came into the world, and he even left the world before I truly understood who he was. Yet today, his music still lives on. His songs continue to inspire, influence, and connect with millions of people across generations.

Of course, we have heard many stories about Michael Jackson over the years. But how many of those stories were truly accurate? We cannot assume that everything we hear is the complete truth. At the end of the day, only Michael Jackson and God know the full reality of his life. That realization made me understand that I do not have the right to judge someone I have never known personally. And even if I did know him, judgment is not mine to give.

What I discovered instead was something greater, throughout history, people have always had the opportunity to leave an impact on the world.

Even after his death, the pain of losing him was felt by millions of people around the globe. And even today, people still celebrate him, not only because of his talent, but because of the influence he left behind through his music, creativity, passion, and humanity.

That made me stop and ask myself, What impact am I making in the world?

We live in a globalized and technologically advanced world where influence is everywhere. Every day, we consume content on social media, and whether we realize it or not, those things shape us. They influence our thoughts, emotions, values, and actions.

But if everyone is now a creator, then who am I in all of this? Where do I stand? What influence am I bringing into the world? What am I giving that could outlive me?

I have come to realize that purpose is not only about who you are, but it is also about the impact you leave on the lives of others.

When I think about Michael Jackson, I realize that people still feel his presence today not simply because he was famous, but because of what he contributed to the world. His influence, artistry, and legacy continue to speak long after his passing.

So here is the question for both you and me,

What is our impact? What is our influence?