Yes, You Too . . . Can BE The CHANGE!
Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King – not only the man, but the message he spread of love, hope and healing within a world rife with segregation, social injustice and inequality. To set the stage, I am attaching his famous “Letter from a Birmingham jail” that outlines in methodical detail these centuries-long struggles and the non-violent movement he led to bring about awareness, empathy and most important… CHANGE!
Letter from a Birmingham jail?
While there have been some visible signs of progress on many of these fronts, there sadly remains many more invisible acts of prejudice or privilege that are just as damaging – maybe even more so. In fact, this letter could have been written yesterday instead of nearly sixty years ago as unfortunately, many realities of segregation, social injustice and inequality remain.
Why?
Based upon recent events – from the brutal, senseless murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and many others last year to the violent break-in and vandalism of our nations’ Capitol last week – the words of Dr. King continue to ring out loud, clear and true today.
Do you hear them?
So, instead of just another ‘Retail’ Holiday, I ask you to take time out today to read this historic letter and search your heart -- reflecting upon not only how you think and feel about it but determining what you personally can/will DO about it.
Here are just a few ideas to get you started.
The first thing you can DO is share Dr. King’s letter among others within your sphere of influence – family, friends, co-workers, social media networks, etc. – to broaden the awareness and understanding of this vitally important issue.
Remember, this isn’t a race, color, creed, religion or political ideology issue – it’s a humanity issue. With the transition of power scheduled to take place in America this week, it is even more important we find common ground as human beings – placing greater value on the many things that bind us together as opposed to focusing on the few things that tear us apart.
As Americans, we must stand together as “…one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL.”
The second thing you can DO is to follow the immortal words of Mahatma Gandhi and simply, “BE the change you wish to see in the world.”
Dr. King was slain just after 6 p.m. on a hotel balcony in Memphis. I ask you to join me in taking a minute at 6 p.m. -- wherever you are -- to silently reflect upon the impact of his message of love, hope and healing and what you can DO to bring it “to life” in all the ways you think, speak and act every single day. Starting with TO-day.
To that end, I will close with a quote from Jim Rohn that I find both relevant and timely for this day and age:
“Six thousand years of recorded history reads like this: opportunity mixed with difficulty. It isn’t going to change. ‘So,’ you ask, ‘how will my life change?’ When YOU change!”