It is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a day that I look forward to every year as 'The Day of Dreams'. Every year I write a message that is sent out to many. I write about life, dreams, hope, perseverance, faith, and love.
This year, we look to the future. "Dream of Change". It's poignant for many reasons. We've put a black man in the oval office; he dreams of change. He's doing his best to make that happen, but it's a long, tough road. It will come, but not overnight. Not in a year. It will happen, though. I believe that.
When I dream of change, it is on every level. I look for change in my own life, day to day, as I strive to become what I want to be. I look for change in those areas of my life in which I have some personal touch or effect. I watch the horizon for change in my community, my city, state, and this great nation. I pray for change in the world.
I posted Dion's "Abraham, Martin & John" today. It’s such a beautiful song; one worth singing, if you believe what you sing. These men believed in change, and worked hard to bring it about. Mahatma Gandhi believed that we must be the change that we wish to see in the world. Mother Theresa changed the lives of many thousands of others, through her work & faith. The history of humanity is interwoven with the lives of people whose mission in life was to change the world we live in, because it is not what it should be, it is not at all the place that it could be if we all only tried like these few brilliant and peaceful guiding lights did.
On every level, every day, we have the opportunity to change this world, to change the way we live, the way we allow our society to live, and to make it right. We have the chance to love, every day.
These very good, strong people who've come and been taken away from us all too soon, are giants upon whose shoulders we stand. They've given all of us a better world, better in small pieces, in some places, and they've given us ideals to build upon and improve. They are the brightest stars in the dark night of the worst of humanity, and by reaching beyond what we believed; they have shown us what we could be, if we wanted to change. They have given us hope for something better than what we know.
We turn away from the chance to love others and change ourselves and our world much too often. We do not take up the torch that has been passed to us, that was so hard won. Would Dr. King be proud of where we've gone with his legacy? His dreams? I don't think so.
Racism is still rampant throughout the world. Hatred. Violence. Intolerance. War is still waged. We will never find peace if we do not act in love. Nothing else can bring it about... nothing else will make it change.
Dr. King's dreams are much more of a reality than they were, not because he fought with anger or violence for them, but because he protested in love and honesty; with integrity and righteousness. We all have that capability, if we so choose to live it.
This year, we look to the future. "Dream of Change". It's poignant for many reasons. We've put a black man in the oval office; he dreams of change. He's doing his best to make that happen, but it's a long, tough road. It will come, but not overnight. Not in a year. It will happen, though. I believe that.
When I dream of change, it is on every level. I look for change in my own life, day to day, as I strive to become what I want to be. I look for change in those areas of my life in which I have some personal touch or effect. I watch the horizon for change in my community, my city, state, and this great nation. I pray for change in the world.
I posted Dion's "Abraham, Martin & John" today. It’s such a beautiful song; one worth singing, if you believe what you sing. These men believed in change, and worked hard to bring it about. Mahatma Gandhi believed that we must be the change that we wish to see in the world. Mother Theresa changed the lives of many thousands of others, through her work & faith. The history of humanity is interwoven with the lives of people whose mission in life was to change the world we live in, because it is not what it should be, it is not at all the place that it could be if we all only tried like these few brilliant and peaceful guiding lights did.
On every level, every day, we have the opportunity to change this world, to change the way we live, the way we allow our society to live, and to make it right. We have the chance to love, every day.
These very good, strong people who've come and been taken away from us all too soon, are giants upon whose shoulders we stand. They've given all of us a better world, better in small pieces, in some places, and they've given us ideals to build upon and improve. They are the brightest stars in the dark night of the worst of humanity, and by reaching beyond what we believed; they have shown us what we could be, if we wanted to change. They have given us hope for something better than what we know.
We turn away from the chance to love others and change ourselves and our world much too often. We do not take up the torch that has been passed to us, that was so hard won. Would Dr. King be proud of where we've gone with his legacy? His dreams? I don't think so.
Racism is still rampant throughout the world. Hatred. Violence. Intolerance. War is still waged. We will never find peace if we do not act in love. Nothing else can bring it about... nothing else will make it change.
Dr. King's dreams are much more of a reality than they were, not because he fought with anger or violence for them, but because he protested in love and honesty; with integrity and righteousness. We all have that capability, if we so choose to live it.
I ask this of you: find the change in yourselves, and make it a lifestyle. Continue to love what is right, what is good, what is equal and strong, what grows and blesses all of us. Do not speak or act out of anything but love. Treat those around you with kindness and compassion; always. We can make this dream of change, this dream of a peaceful, fair and equal humanity, our own reality, if we choose to have it so.
Peace be with you.
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9 comments:
Sweetly said.
My wife and I have both been trying to pass along the importance of his life and actions to the girls. It's kinda bouncing off, though. Maybe they need to be older. Or maybe we are entering a post-racial age, and it just doesn't seem that important to them.
Oh no... Clowncar, we are nowhere near a post-racial age, much to the dismay of many.
December 4th, 2006 - the Jena 6 story hit the nation and civil rights leaders and activists from around the nation decended on this tiny town in Louisiana. Check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jena_Six
It's very much alive.
We just live in a place where it's really not much of a social issue. Denver hosts the largest MLK marade in the nation; we get along with the people of every nation better than a lot of other places.
I'm so glad that you are teaching your girls the importance of this. SO glad.
Thank you.
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
Well said, Scarlett! Just today I was jeered at again for my "Pollyanna" attitude. I apparently need to get in touch with "reality." But I want to influence reality, to do my small part to make reality better for those around me.
I think that one of our greatest fears as individuals is that we will live and die without making a difference and in some way, changing the world.
Dr. King had a very big dream, and he left very big footsteps which few can fill. But if everyone tried to do good and be good even in small ways, the world would stretch to hold all our dreams and to make them reality. Equality is, sadly, not yet the norm but we are all equally capable of caring for those around us and working together to create a world which would make Dr. King and those other visionaries proud. One foot at a time, we can get there and I believe we will.
Beautiful Scarlett, thank you.
Scarlett,
Hi. "Abraham, Martin and John" is truly a great song.
Molly,
I absolutely love your Pollyanna ways, don't change a bit!!
I know just what you mean about influencing what is around you; change what you can.
Hearts,
As usual, you have stirred those beliefs and truths in me that are so strong, into a tempest. ;D
Amen, sister lady, AMEN. XO
Suburbia,
It is the truth, and there is an ugly side and a beautiful side to this truth. Thank you. XO
MAHT!
O.M.G. I am so surprised and excited to see you back!
It is a good song! I had that up on FB, this was just some thoughts on it; something I do every year.
Good to see you around here!
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
A lovely post. We are not post-racial, and I doubt we will be in our age or even perhaps our childrens'. But we're getting closer. Slowly.
Every journey takes some time, Jules. My God, I hope this one finds a center at some point soon.
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
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