Image by John Hain from Pixabay Today I invite you to join me, to step out of the fray, pause, tune into our hearts, and join hearts together as we remember and honor a truly great human.
When you think of Martin Luther King Jr., what stirs within you? What qualities does he embody? What inspiration did he, does he still, offer? How has his life impacted our world?
When I think of Dr. King, I am struck by his vision. Despite the reality of division, hatred, violence, and his own lived experience of discrimination, inequality, and systemic racism, still he dared to dream. He showed up. He showed up, spoke out, and led people - somehow calling for love, inclusivity over hatred and division, even in a heated time of intense anger and fear.
He knew the power of community, of caring for one another, lifting one another up, inspiring each other to go on. He had deep, heartfelt wisdom, and he shared it powerfully, eloquently.
He displayed and embodied great courage - not hiding or holding back, but taking risks, putting his life on the line, and tragically, giving it, for the cause he believed so deeply in. For the betterment of humanity.
His legacy lives on because his leadership was not about him - it wasn't about greed or making himself feel or seem important. It was leadership for the greater good, for all humanity, to alleviate suffering, not to cause harm. He led toward liberation - true liberation - not just in words but in actual life. Liberation and freedom for all. Coming together to create a greater world. He had a dream, and that dream guided him.
✨He was and is a Beacon of Love and Light. Someone who magnetically drew people toward him to share in his vision, to join in answering the call for a greater humanity. Visionary. Dreamer. Activist. Advocate. A few of the words that rise up for me as I think about him and feel him in my heart.
A few years ago I saw a play, “The Mountaintop,” at our local theater. It's a re-imagining of the last night of MLK's life as he prepared to give his last speech, as he contemplated his dreams of what was possible. (It's no spoiler alert to tell you those dreams have not yet become a reality in our country). I left the play in tears, speechless, and heartbroken. I haven't watched this version yet, but I'm glad to be able to offer you a chance to see the performance here. What a powerful way to spend some time this day (or any other). I look forward to taking it in again, and I'd love to hear how it lands in you.
As you pause right now to honor this man, his legacy, his mission, and his message, maybe close your eyes, put your hands on your heart and ask yourself these questions:
🎶Thanks for joining me in this reflection. I'll leave you with a song from James Taylor to hold us on this day - “Shed a Little Light.” “…let us recognize that there are ties between us - all men and women living on the earth - ties of hope and love…" (thank you for this truth, James!)
I honor your heart, your love, your willingness to be here in this world at this time. Thank you. Never doubt that you, showing up from a place of love and compassion, matters. Even when we're not sure how this story ends. We're still here. It's not over yet.
"We must walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future.”
From Martin Luther King's "Where Do We Go From Here?" address.
When you think of Martin Luther King Jr., what stirs within you? What qualities does he embody? What inspiration did he, does he still, offer? How has his life impacted our world?
When I think of Dr. King, I am struck by his vision. Despite the reality of division, hatred, violence, and his own lived experience of discrimination, inequality, and systemic racism, still he dared to dream. He showed up. He showed up, spoke out, and led people - somehow calling for love, inclusivity over hatred and division, even in a heated time of intense anger and fear.
He knew the power of community, of caring for one another, lifting one another up, inspiring each other to go on. He had deep, heartfelt wisdom, and he shared it powerfully, eloquently.
He displayed and embodied great courage - not hiding or holding back, but taking risks, putting his life on the line, and tragically, giving it, for the cause he believed so deeply in. For the betterment of humanity.
His legacy lives on because his leadership was not about him - it wasn't about greed or making himself feel or seem important. It was leadership for the greater good, for all humanity, to alleviate suffering, not to cause harm. He led toward liberation - true liberation - not just in words but in actual life. Liberation and freedom for all. Coming together to create a greater world. He had a dream, and that dream guided him.
✨He was and is a Beacon of Love and Light. Someone who magnetically drew people toward him to share in his vision, to join in answering the call for a greater humanity. Visionary. Dreamer. Activist. Advocate. A few of the words that rise up for me as I think about him and feel him in my heart.
A few years ago I saw a play, “The Mountaintop,” at our local theater. It's a re-imagining of the last night of MLK's life as he prepared to give his last speech, as he contemplated his dreams of what was possible. (It's no spoiler alert to tell you those dreams have not yet become a reality in our country). I left the play in tears, speechless, and heartbroken. I haven't watched this version yet, but I'm glad to be able to offer you a chance to see the performance here. What a powerful way to spend some time this day (or any other). I look forward to taking it in again, and I'd love to hear how it lands in you.
As you pause right now to honor this man, his legacy, his mission, and his message, maybe close your eyes, put your hands on your heart and ask yourself these questions:
- What do I respect, admire, or love about Dr. King?
- What does Martin Luther King Jr. call me to right now?
- How can I embody and live into the qualities I see and feel in him?
- How can I honor his legacy and life with my own life, with my presence in this world?
🎶Thanks for joining me in this reflection. I'll leave you with a song from James Taylor to hold us on this day - “Shed a Little Light.” “…let us recognize that there are ties between us - all men and women living on the earth - ties of hope and love…" (thank you for this truth, James!)
I honor your heart, your love, your willingness to be here in this world at this time. Thank you. Never doubt that you, showing up from a place of love and compassion, matters. Even when we're not sure how this story ends. We're still here. It's not over yet.
"We must walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future.”
From Martin Luther King's "Where Do We Go From Here?" address.
Photo by Hugo Magalhaes: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-granite-sculpture-of-martin-luther-king-jr-against-blue-sky-16156767/
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