Here are some words from previous MLK posts that I thought were worth repeating:
Martin Luther King (b1929), in 1964 became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The prize was awarded to him for his efforts and advancements to end racial segregation and discrimination, by way of civil disobedience and other nonviolent means. That’s pretty good headway for a 35 year old. We are all only left to wonder what he could have accomplished had he made it to his 40’s and beyond.
I’m thinking it’s pretty safe to say that one of the characteristics that led him to his power was one of respectfulness. By treating everyone with the same respect we wish to be treated, we can strive to be respectful and civil towards others in all of our actions. Sometimes we may fall short, but remembering one of his famous quotes, “The time is always right to do what is right,” may help us on our journey.
Taking a look at Dr. King’s famous “I have a dream speech”, the following line is pretty powerful (OK, I know the whole speech is powerful, but bear with me):
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
A person’s character is critical. No matter how successful one gets in life, his or her character is one of the few things they will not be able to “out-source” to someone else to “increase the bottom line” or “make it happen”.
Take a few minutes today to visit with a young person in your life about “character” and how important it is everyday to consistently make smart choices and good decisions. As we all know…the good, the bad and the ugly: those choices and decisions stick with you for a lifetime!
