In the light of Prince’s death, Bert has been diving into his life, and there’s SO much he didn’t know about Prince – including lessons that he’s going to start incorporating into his own life.
If you want to graze the surface when it comes to Prince, check out some highlights of his life, theinvestigation into his death, some random facts about him, and how the world is responding.
Thank you, Prince! I’ve absorbed myself in Prince’s iconic life for the past 24 hours and he’s taught me so many lessons that I want to immediately apply to my life.
I’m not sure there is any better way to honor those that have passed than to absorb and acknowledge the parts of their life that you deeply admire and try to apply to your own life to make you a better person.
What have I learned?
True altruism has no ego. And I’m learning today that Prince donated money to so many individuals and organizations that had no idea the funds were coming from him. Dozens of low-income homes in Oakland have solar power providing hot water that was funded by Prince. He didn’t call the media or send out a press release. He didn’t hold a ribbon cutting ceremony. He was never thanked because they had no idea he funded the project. When his name WAS needed he arrived and left a legendary resume of philanthropy (“Princes Charity Legacy: Look to the Stars” https://www.looktothestars.org/…/15157-princes-charity-lega…).
His ego check was so evident. In a time in which our celebrities demand pedestals, Prince chose humility.
Minneapolis? The shining spotlights that scream, “look at me” are in Los Angeles. They are in NY. They are in London. They aren’t in suburban Minneapolis. Prince was fiercely loyal to the city that was the geographical foundation for his iconic life and he had no desire to live in the superficiality and narcissism that tabloid capitols thrive on.
Prince was authentic to the core. He was a true original. He wasn’t a watered down copy of anybody. He didn’t cater to society’s definitions. Every ounce of Prince was authentic. He was different in the most courageous ways and unwavering in his defiance of the norm. He teaches me not to run away from myself but to embrace every ounce of me.
Prince was always looking for different ways to challenge himself and those around him. Easy was difficult for him. Easy was impossible for him. What’s the next level? He didn’t live in a box. He didn’t know a box existed. What am I doing personally and professionally to make sure I’m challenging myself and not allowing myself to be a victim of the gravitational pull of routine?
And, as a guy that’s 5’ 4” and always been insecure about it, Prince was regarded as one of the sexiest men alive and he was 5’ 2”. Lol. So on the bottom rung of admiration there is definitely that for me. Ha!
What a life Prince lived! The footprint he left on the world is undeniable. There hasn’t been a ripple effect with his passing. It’s been more like a tsunami. LOL.
My bet is that if you really wanted to honor Prince today he wouldn’t say, “listen to my music.” He’d say, “Ask yourself how you’re making your sphere a kinder, more loving place to live in and how are you making a difference in it.”
RIP Prince. And thank you for living your life in a way that I can use to springboard myself into being a better individual.
