Want to Make the World a Better Place? (Music: «Man in the Mirror» by Michael Jackson)

Well, I am not one to preach, but if I did, especially about how to make the world a «better place», I think I would say something like this»…

So watch Michael (from 1988) and listen to the song and if you want, here are the lyrics so that you can actually sing along…

MAN IN THE MIRROR

I’m gonna make a change
For once in my life
It’s gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right
As I, turn up the collar on
My favorite winter coat
This wind is blowin’ my mind
I see the kids in the street
With not enough to eat
Who am I, to be blind pretending not to see their needs?
A summer’s disregard
A broken bottle top
And a one man’s soul
They follow each other on the wind ya know
‘Cause they got nowhere to go
That’s why I want you to know
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could’ve been any clearer
If they wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
I’ve been a victim of a selfish kind of love
It’s time that I realize
That there are some with no home
Not a nickel to loan
Could it be really me pretending that they’re not alone?
A willow deeply scarred
Somebody’s broken heart
And a washed out dream (washed out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind, ya see
‘Cause they got no place to be
That’s why I’m starting with me
I’m starting with the man in the mirror (oh)
I’m asking him to change his ways (oh)
And no message could’ve been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
I’m starting with the man in the mirror (oh)
I’m asking him to change his ways (oh)
And no message could’ve been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make that
Change
I’m starting with the man in the mirror (oh yeah)
I’m asking him to change his ways (better change)
No message could’ve been any clearer
(If you wanna make the world a better place)
(Take a look at yourself and then make the change)
you can’t
(Then you close your) close your, your mind
With the man in the mirror, oh yeah
I’m asking him to change his ways (better change)
No message could’ve been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
gonna feel real good now
I’m gonna make a change
It’s gonna feel real good
Come on (change)
Just lift yourself
You know
You’ve got to stop it
Yourself (yeah)
I’ve got to make that change today
(Man in the mirror) you got to
You got to not let yourself brother
(Yeah) you know
(Make that change) I’ve got to get that man, that man
You’ve got to
You’ve got to move
Come on
Come on
You got to
Stand up, stand up (yeah, make that change)
Stand up
Stand up and lift
Yourself, now
(Man in the mirror)
Gonna make that change come on
(Man in the mirror)
You know it
You know it
You know it
You know
Change
Make that change
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Glen Ballard / Siedah Garrett
Man in the Mirror lyrics © Yellowbrick Road Music

So many people go out into life thinking they are going to change the world. They throw themselves into their quest by trying to achieve the greatest success possible. Unfortunately they fail. Why? Because they are trying to change other people, other things, systems, governments, countries et cetera. But they forget that change starts with the «man in the mirror» (or woman).

And there is definitely a need for change in this world. Things are not getting better with progress. As a matter of fact, arrived at through mere observation, I can see that capitalism is now roaring ever louder and poverty and equality have gone down the virtual toilet. People matter if they have a lot of money, if they don’t they are treated like slaves. We are now more controlled, lied to, manipulated and misgoverned than we have been since the Middle Ages when we were ruled by incompetent and corrupt absolute rulers.

So, take a look at the man/woman in the mirror and ask yourself how you can make a change. And I am sorry, I do not mean to preach, but I just could not help myself with this one. I believe that artists (painters, writers, poets, dancers, choreographers, photographers et al) should speak out as much as possible, especially if they have a forum from which to do it. People that are educated and well trained have a responsibility to the society in which they live to speak out and express their opinions.

What do you think?

Cheers…