The words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are perhaps more profound today than any other time in recent history. I believe that they are a light to guide us, words that are not just there for us to repeat, as we celebrate the Dr. King holiday, but words to live by – every day.
Think of how it could change the world, if we placed some of Dr. King’s most famous quotes in a place where we could see them, as we head out to work each morning. At lunch, when we’re on a break. Before we go to bed at night.
Millions of Americans spend a lot of time on their cell phones and social media pages every day. Why not save Dr. King’s quotes on your phone, or other devices, and look at those daily, as a way to inspire you to do your part to make this world a better place? We have the power to be a part of the solution to the problems confronting our nation today.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING’S WORDS HAVE IMPACT
Dr. King’s words have helped shape my life, ever since I was a child. When I rented my first apartment, out of college, I didn’t look for fancy art work to hang in my spare abode. I hung framed quotes from Dr. King in my living room to direct me to have compassion for all people and to cherish our common humanity.
I am aware, even more today, how much his words have directed my life. I have been blessed, as a former tv news anchor/reporter and community affairs director, to serve as a keynote speaker or emcee countless events over the years and many of the thoughts that I share are seeds that Dr. King planted in me, through his words and actions, long ago. I have quoted him often.
WHAT DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING HAS TAUGHT ME
Dr. King’s words have driven my passions and purpose, taught me to be kind to others, to serve others, to love unconditionally, to see all people as equals, to recognize that we are all so much more than the color of our skin.
Dr. King has taught me that we are more alike than we are different when it comes to our needs for love, connections, family, and life purpose. Every person wants to be treated with dignity and respect. Every person wants to have an equal opportunity to live a fulfilled life. And, every parent wants their child to be accepted, loved, and have the chance to flourish in a nation that offers so much hope. Why not treat others as if they are a part of your family? Imagine how that would change your perspective.
Dr. King also taught me that we have no right to diminish the lives of others because they are “not like us”… that we all deserve to live our destiny and our truth in this one beautiful life that we get, at least on this earth. “Less judgment, more love” is a phrase that I have repeated often, based on Dr. King’s teachings. Differences are part of the beautiful tapestry of life that makes our world so unique.
So, today, I share some of Dr. King’s quotes that speak to my heart, in particular, as I watch political partisanship fuel national discord and the chasm between us grow wider and deeper. Stop for a moment and focus on what matters most. Listen to his words to unite us, not divide us.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING QUOTES
- “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
- “All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be… This is the interrelated structure of reality.”
- “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
- “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
- “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right.”
Now, let Dr. King’s “words” seep into your soul. Don’t just relegate them to the page to be pulled out of cobwebs on his holiday once a year. I pray that we will live his words daily in our lives, prompting us to be more bold, take a stand, speak out about injustice for anyone, and focus on what matters most – the act of uniting us, not dividing us. We are a better nation when… “together we stand.”
Share this post with others so that we can inspire each other. And, what are some of your favorite Dr. King quotes? How has he inspired you?
