(My Book Of Nature)

Grammy legend Awards

                                                                     

I hope this puts to rest, I hope this finally put to rest another rumour that has been in the press for too many years. Me and Janet really are two different people.

In the past month, I have gone from "Where is he?" to "Here he is again!" But I must confess it feels good to be thought of as a person, not as a personality. Because...I don't read all the things written about me. I wasn't aware the world thought I was so weird and so bizarre, but when you grow up, as I did, in front of one hundred million people since the age of five, you're automatically different.

The last few weeks I have been cleansing myself and it's been a rebirth for myself. It's like a cleansing spirit.

My childhood was completely taken away from me. There was no Christmas, there were no birthdays...It was not a normal childhood, no normal pleasures of childhood. Those were exchanged for hard work, struggle and pain, and eventual material and professional success. But as an awful price, I cannot recreate that part of my life, nor would I change any part of my life.

However, today when I create my music, I feel like an instrument of nature. I wonder what delight nature must feel when we open our hearts and express our God-given talents. The sound of approval rose across the universe and the whole world abounds in magic. Wonder fills our hearts for we have glimpsed, for an instant, the playfulness of life.

And that's why I love children and learn so much from being around them. I realize that many of the world's problems today, from the inner city crime to large scale wars and terrorism, and our over-crowded prisons are a result of the fact that children have had their childhoods stolen from them. 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. That we...I love you too...

What we need to learn form children isn't childish. Being with them connects us to the deeper wisdom of life which is ever present and only asks to be lived. They know the way to solutions that lie waiting to be recognized within our own hearts.

Today I would like to thank all the children of the world including the sick and deprived, I am so sensitive to your pain. I also want to thank all those who have helped me to channel my talent here on earth.

From the beginning my parents, all my brothers and sisters, especially Janet. I am so proud of her, it's incredible. I mean, I remember when we were little, I asked her to be Ginger Rogers while I was Fred Astaire.

The Motown family, my teacher Berry Gordy, Diana Ross, I love you, Suzanne de Passe, the wonderful, great Quincy Jones, Teddy Riley, my new Godson - Michael Gibb, my new Sony family - Iko Morita, Mikki Schullhall, Tommy Motolla, Dave Glaub, Polly Anthony. Thanks for making one of my most creative efforts, the album Dangerous, such an incredible success. I love you all so much. Sandy Gallin, Jim Morey, all the fantastic fans around the world, I love you very much.