A Child at Heart

"The magic, the wonder, the mystery, and the innocence of a child’s heart are the seeds of creativity that will heal the world. I really believe that." Michael Jackson

"Before you judge me, try hard to love me, look within your heart, then ask, Have you seen my childhood?..." Michael Jackson, Childhood  (HIStory, 1995)

Michael Jackson’s song Childhood is more than just music, it’s his story, his truth, his reflection. “Our personal history begins in childhood,” he once said, yet his own was far from ordinary. While most children spent their days playing, Michael spent his rehearsing, recording, and performing under intense pressure. He loved his craft, but it came at the highest price: the simple joys of being a child.

The Power of Childhood

Our experiences shape how we see the world, and childhood, in particular, plays a defining role in who we become. Yet, we often forget that behind every adult is a child carrying their own battles and wounds.

Looking back, I realise how fortunate I was. I grew up surrounded by love, celebrating birthdays and Christmas, playing with my sister and cousins, running through parks, having water balloon fights, and coming home from school to watch cartoons. At the time, these moments felt ordinary, but now I see them as privileges, ones many children never get to experience. Too many grow up in hardship, missing out on these simple yet meaningful joys.

Michael Jackson is a powerful example of how childhood shapes a person’s life. His was taken from him, replaced by relentless work and crushing responsibility. His childhood was consumed by exhausting rehearsals and the intense pressure of his father, Joe Jackson. Mistakes were met with harsh punishments, and his father’s ruthless expectations pushed Michael toward perfectionism. It made him a legend, yes, but at an immense personal cost. For this, he is proof that a lost childhood can leave a void that lasts a lifetime.

A Gifted Child, A Heavy Price

Born with God-given talent, Michael was shaped by discipline from an early age. By 11, he and his brothers, as the Jackson 5, were touring the world, topping the charts, and achieving unimaginable fame. But the price was steep, his early years were overshadowed by work.

"I would do my schooling, which was three hours with a tutor, and right after that, I would go to the recording studio and record for hours and hours until it was time to sleep."

His schedule left no room for the carefree joys of childhood. He would watch other children playing from a distance, longing for the freedom they had.

A drawing created by Michael Jackson.

"I remember going to the recording studio, and there was a park across the street. I’d see all the children playing, and I would cry because it made me sad that I had to work instead."

He was still just a child, yearning for play, laughter, and freedom. No child should have to trade their innocence for labor. Childhood is meant for joy, discovery, and carefree moments, not relentless work and pressure. His words serve as a heartbreaking reminder of why we must protect and cherish the innocence of our children.

Searching for Lost Innocence

At heart, Michael was always a child, forever chasing the magic, innocence, and wonder that had been taken from him too soon. His love for play wasn’t childishness; it was a form of healing. Climbing trees, having water balloon fights, building Neverland, these were his ways of reclaiming what had been lost, not just for himself but for others.

"Nothing is more important than our children. They are the future. They can heal the world. It is our obligation to be there for them."

But Michael didn’t just seek childhood for himself, he fought to give it to others. He was one of the greatest humanitarians of all time, donating over $300 million to children’s charities, funding hospitals, orphanages, and medical treatments. He opened Neverland to thousands of sick and underprivileged children, offering them joy and escape. Yet, despite his kindness, some exploited his generosity and innocence for personal gain, twisting his intentions.

Nevertheless, he believed in the power of childhood, the purity, the hope, the limitless imagination. He dedicated his life to protecting it, not just for himself, but for every child in need.

"It all begins with forgiveness. To heal the world, we first have to heal ourselves. And to heal the kids, we first have to heal the child within, each and every one of us."

Michael’s story is a reminder that childhood is sacred. His heart remained young because he never stopped searching for the innocence, laughter, and love he had missed. Through his music, his generosity, and his legacy, he gave that gift back to the world.

A Call for Compassion

Today, I reflect on how deeply childhood shapes us, and how understanding this can change the way we see others. Michael’s behaviour, often misunderstood, came from a complicated past. He wasn’t "strange", he was a man searching for something stolen from him too soon.

We all carry wounds and scars, but we can choose to meet each other with empathy instead of judgment. Let’s start today. Let’s try to understand. Let’s choose compassion. Above all, let this be a call to embrace our inner child without shame. Let’s learn from children and hold onto our sense of playfulness, innocence, wonder, and joy, to make the world a brighter place.

"What we need to learn from children isn’t childish. They know the way to solutions that lie waiting to be recognised within our own hearts"

Even in his final days, Michael’s heart remained with the children. His last wish was not for himself, but for them. Despite his own suffering, his thoughts were on bringing joy and healing to those in need.

Today, I would like to conclude this post by sharing a heartbreaking recording that deeply moved me. In it, MJ expressed this final wish just six weeks before his passing. With a weak voice and under heavy medication, he spoke from the heart:

"I'm taking that money, a million children, a children's hospital, the biggest in the world, Michael Jackson's Children's Hospital. It's gonna have a movie theatre, a game room. Children are depressed. [...] They're sick because they're depressed. Their mind is depressing them. I want to give them that. I care about them, them angels. I feel their pain. I feel their hurt. God wants me to do it. I'm gonna do it." Michael Jackson, May 2009

Thank you for taking this journey with me.