I can relate with the vocabulary thing. I never said 'yall' before but after listening to a ton of his live performances I've started without thinking about it.

ksgemini63 said:

Life mentor ... That is a little scary. Prince was just a guy that made great music. Not a prophet, idol, magician, or leader...just a guy who left us all too soon but entirely mortal kchammond said:

Me too! I'm so glad he came into my life when he did (although the circumstances were EXTREMELY unfortunate), because I'm kind of in the process of finding myself right now, and his wisdom is really helping me a lot! I know that others here have gone through the same thing back in the 70s and 80s actually growing up with Prince, so I don't quite have the same experience as you all, but I'm just now finding myself, and he's teaching me! What a great life mentor he was/is.

I know Prince was a simple man who made great music, and he didn't seek praise. I may have gone a little overboard, but what I meant is that, Prince, in his early career (well, and beyond, of course) didn't give a crap if people liked him or hated him... Prince did whatever made him happy. THAT'S what he's taught me; to be comfortable with myself, regardless of what others may think. His song "Free" really taught me that I have the power and ability to make myself happy first and foremost, rather than to worry about what others think before I do something that makes me happy. Prince's spiritual journey has also inspired me to become closer to God. Now, as far as the "life mentor" piece... I don't think I expressed that as clearly as I should have. I was speaking here more along the lines of- he "mentored" several people throughout his life (in music), and he had spoken about having good mentors and teachers... and he said, with Arsenio Hall, that if he were to choose any profession other than music, it would be to mentor or teach on some level. I feel like, if I was given the chance to work beside him, he would've made a great teacher/mentor for me, both musically and with life. He was 57 and I'm 24... I would've loved to have sat down with him and just talked to him about life, and the learning/growth opportunities he had throughout the years. I know I would've learned something from him if I ever had that opportunity, because he had "pearls of wisdom," to share with the younger generations, I'm sure. This is more along the lines of what I meant.

[Edited 7/17/16 20:02pm]

StephanieThePisces said:

at this thread!

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My unsolicited .02: I emulated some of Prince's looks, fashionwise, over the years (especially when I was much younger) because he had some FREAKING COOL LOOKS and styles. But what I did was just superficialities like clothes and makeup or hair and was mainly during the PR era where his style was so popular anyway. When it gets into adopting affectations and studying him so closely that a person copies his mannerisms and facial expressions, then I think that's kind of strange because it seems like a person is trying to usurp another's (in this case, Prince's) identity -- and I don't know, I just don't think Prince would be flattered by that, I think he'd have been weirded out by it, to be blunt.

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Though I do think it's great to recognize Prince's positive qualities and try to be a better person by following his example. That's a whole different thing, imo, and Prince being a 'role model' in that respect makes sense to me...like his philanthropy and generosity, who wouldn't want to be more like that, period? Be a good person? I think Prince WOULD be flattered and honored that anyone would become a better person because they followed his example in that way.

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But again, affectations of his personal mannerisms and movements and etc seems strange to me. TO ME. Because whatever makes somebody happy and isn't hurting anyone else and all that.

I appreciate your opinion, and I can 110% see where you're coming from here... Sometimes it takes seeing the other side to kind of wake you up. I think you're right on the money here!

Gohi said:

kchammond said:

I'm noticing that I'm starting to speak more like him. Like, I use "folks," and, "dig it," and "funk," a whole heck of a lot now. I never used them before I heard Prince use them. I feel comfy and sexy in my own skin now (as a 24 year old), which I didn't prior to his death. I think that's largely because I've had his influence in my life over the past 80-some (? Oh CRAP, I've lost count!) days, and he always spoke about being comfortable with who you are first and foremost. I've learned a lot over these past few months from him!

Trying to sound and act like someone else seems to indicate you're not yet comfortable with who you are. Food for thought. I wish you luck in your quest of self-acceptance.

I can appreciate your food for thought. However, I'm not trying* to act like Prince. Nobody can act like the Purple One and be 110% real but the man himself. What I meant was, I'm acting like myself, but more confidently. I don't constantly go around thinking, "How can I be like Prince today? How can I make facial expressions like his? How can I speak like him?" That WOULD be weird. Sometimes, the phrases I mentioned just slip out of my mouth. IT'S NOT INTENTIONAL. It's like if you hang out with someone constantly, you're likely to pick up on some of their phrases. Or maybe that's just a "me" thing.

This is the last thing I'm gonna say, then I'm off of this particular thread for good. The negativity being shown to some on this thread is more than I'm willing to see. I came to the org for a community, and I'm going to venture to other threads where I do feel a sense of community, because I no longer do in this thread. I apologize if I offended anyone with any of my statements. It was not my intention to offend anyone here. I like to think I respect the man, but I'm obviously in the wrong, and have NO CLUE what "respect" means. If you want to make this response out to be a sob story, then so be it. I'm done.

kchammond said:

nursev said:

I know what you mean! I picked up his screams of passion. I was doing a lot of Prince type screams and yelling all over the office and break room. Then I got a "see me"memo. My boss went over the code of conduct with me and gave me a pamphlet on the substance abuse prevention options offered by our health care provider. So now I scream into a pillow at my desk.

KRTREE said:

I know what you mean! I picked up his screams of passion. I was doing a lot of Prince type screams and yelling all over the office and break room. Then I got a "see me"memo. My boss went over the code of conduct with me and gave me a pamphlet on the substance abuse prevention options offered by our health care provider. So now I scream into a pillow at my desk.

aww, cute

KRTREE said:

I know what you mean! I picked up his screams of passion. I was doing a lot of Prince type screams and yelling all over the office and break room. Then I got a "see me"memo. My boss went over the code of conduct with me and gave me a pamphlet on the substance abuse prevention options offered by our health care provider. So now I scream into a pillow at my desk.

This is absolutely incredible. Thank you.