Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

(One of my favorite pictures of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. not only to show how many people gathered to hear this man speak, but that it took place in D.C. close to home for me.)

Tonight I am leading the childrens' enrichment class again at the Brisben Center. I was supposed to just be bringing the snack and offering assistance where needed. I originally am only leading the art class once a month but tonight's leader can't make it. His lesson plan consisted of reading a book and a coloring activity.

We will be learning about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. tonight. An amazing man who put his life on the line to help make things right, sacrificing for what he believed deeply in and for other people.

There are a lot of lessons to be learned from this man. A highly educated person, not only intellectually but spiritually as well. He was an inspiring civil rights leader (and his words still continue to inspire today), a respected preacher, a husband, father to four children and most importantly a strong man who saw something wrong in the world and offered up EVERYTHING in a peaceful, loving way to right those wrongs. In my opinion, a radical yet enlightened thinker.

Some things I have learned from Dr. King:

- Passion is the most effective tool when you want to accomplish something. Dr. King's passion made him stand out, made him a revolutionary and got things done. One of my favorite quotes can sum it all up:

"I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live." ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

- Think of others because everything isn't about YOU!

Dr. King's philosophy that everything you do can indirectly affect others is simple but 100% truth.

- You're no better than anyone else and they aren't better than you.

Martin Luther King, Jr. believed that everyone was equal and fought for this key concept. He not only preached about equality between the races but also socio-economic equality. He even believed that a higher education doesn't make you superior.

- Everyone is special so be yourself.

King believed that we all are special in our unique ways. That we are all here on this earth for a purpose and we all have the ability to make the world a better place.

- You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

King believed that love is the answer to a lot of problems. He believed in non-violent means to change the world. He often spoke of "you can't get to peace with violence, you can't get to love with hate". No truer words EVER spoken.

- Strongly believe and defend others' beliefs as well.

King was a spiritual man. He was raised by his preacher father, and his preacher father was raised by another preacher father. He didn't just know those scriptures he could recite so smoothly, he BELIEVED in them and put his life on the line just living them. But, he also taught tolerance towards those that believed differently than him. He wanted all different races, religions, cultures, etc to stand together and accept one another's beliefs...to be tolerant and loving people.

- Do something about it.

You see something you think needs a change in your own community? King would say to do something about it then. If he can stand up and publicly voice his distaste to the inequality of man, if he can start movements that paved the way for having laws passed against segregation, if he could watch his house bombed, be arrested many times, have threats to his life and STILL not back down...why can't we do the same? Every little thing you can do to help in your community, do it. Do it with passion, compassion and without a sense of superiority. Treat others like you'd like to be treated.

We all could only be so lucky as to make such an impact on this world before we leave it.