Yesterday we celebrated the life and work of Martin Luther
King Jr. His powerful messages of nonviolence, tolerance and love that
he shared with the world in inspirational speeches and brilliant writings
defined the American civil rights movement. His words are just as important
today and perhaps needed now more than ever. Later this week we prepare for the
swearing in of our 45th President of the United States, and there
has possibly never been a time in recent history where the nation has seemed so
divided, so uncertain, and so apprehensive about our future.
So the timing of this annual celebration of Dr. King
couldn’t have been any better. It reminds us that the power for great change
lies within each of us in how we live our lives; with selflessness, humility,
courage, empathy and tolerance. We have the obligation to ensure that the message
of Dr. King isn’t simply celebrated one day a year, but rather his work becomes ingrained in how we live and how we shape the future in each of our communities.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question
is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr.
The most powerful and important work that each of us can do
in our lives is to invest in others. And the most powerful and important lesson
that our children and our students can learn from us is that we all have the incredible
ability to lift others up; through our words and our actions. We are all built to
help others. We are all built to live a life of service. In simple gestures
like holding a door for someone; smiling and saying hello; inviting someone to
sit with us who was eating alone; shoveling someone’s driveway; talking to
others respectfully even when we disagree; forgiving others when they make a
mistake; volunteering your time; listening to other people – not to form a
response, but to actually listen to what they are saying and feeling – all of
those little things, that is how we change the world. Those are the essential lessons
that we should be modeling for our children and expecting to see from them at home, at school and in the community. All the time. And then call them on it when we don't.
We must embrace the simple concept that other people matter.
All people matter. If we live our lives in a way that has each of us asking ourselves
each day, “what am I doing for others?,” the world will be a much better place. From the
President-elect and each of us to our children and students alike, our words and actions matter. Through simple selfless
acts of investing in others, we are all perpetuating Dr. King’s powerful
messages of sacrifice, tolerance and love that can define this generation and become the foundation for great change. Not
just one day a year, but each and every day.
