Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a day set aside to remember and honor Dr. King’s legacy. But I woke up with this on my mind this morning: ”What does this mean to you and what will do you about it?”
Dr. King is widely known as a leader of the African American civil rights movement. But he also heavily championed helping out our fellow man. It was Dr. King who said
“Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
While racism and inequality still exists today–and there are still major strides to be made in that arena–I believe the Dr. King holiday has become regarded as a day for service. A day for giving back to your community and fellow man.
I started as new job a few months ago and was therefore unable to take off today, but I told myself last year that each MLK holiday I would take off work and the kids and I would visit the Civil Rights Museum then we’d do a service project together. This year I was not able to do that today, but I will postpone it for later this month. I think my children will enjoy the history lesson, and get a wake up call as to how life was just a few decades ago.
Dr. King also said “ The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.” And though he died at the age of 39, he left the imprint of his strong legacy upon the world. I remembered him today for what he stood for and his dedication to his goals of equality and equal rights for all.
So, I ask you, what does MLK Day mean to you? And what, if anything, did you do about it?
I was trolling the net today and came across this video posted (over on The YBF) of the Muppets (yes, the Muppets!) straight rocking Monster by Kanye West.
First off, I count myself blessed to have made it to another year in good health, and with my family and friends all in good health as well. 2010 was a year of many changes and revelations for me. Some good, some bad, some I’m still processing. I’m not going to get heavy and go into a lot of details here about it, but some things I learned about myself in 2010 are:
1. I can’t always have what I want- an ongoing lesson
2. I’m done settling for less- life is too short
3. I loathe laziness & procrastination-both in myself & others
Moving into 2011, I have 3 things I want to work on:
1. Improve my physical, mental, and spritual health-this means regular exercise and healthy eating, regular church/meditation time, & regular downtime to recharge my batteries.
2. Cultivate my relationships with family & friends- no one is promised tomorrow
3. No Excuses!- A bit of a double edged sword, this one. No excuses for not doing what I need to do, nor any for for doing what’s best for me.
4. Be happy- Life is too short, so courage is required to fully explore what I want out of life and to work for it.
That’s it, real short & sweet for me this year, but not simple, and definitely not easy. As only iron sharpens iron, only I can make me a better me.
Now, enough of the heavy. Back to the special brand of specialness that you’ve come to know and love from me.
Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a day set aside to remember and honor Dr. King’s legacy. But I woke up with this on my mind this morning: ”What does this mean to you and what will do you about it?”
