Martin Luther King, Jr

Tomorrow is Martin Luther King Day.  It seems fitting to remind readers of some of his quotes that are still very relevant and insightful.  Rev. King had a special way of targeting the simplicity of truth to highlight issues and find non-violent responses.  He knew that the heart of conflict is often very simple. All of us are human beings with the same physical, emotional and psychological needs.  We all need each other in order to co-exist peacefully in this world that we all share.  We need to take the time to learn to truly know each other as a person and begin to appreciate and cherish our differences. 

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.  This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant." 
Martin Luther King from his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Oslo, Norway, 1964

It is easy to take the easy way of hearing only what we want to hear, or to block out others whose needs are immediate, urgent and heart-rending. It could be us in that situation. We must do what is right if we want to survive as a society because we are all vulnerable at some point in our lives.  We all need each other; there is no safe, isolated existence.  Life, in all of its uncertainty, is messy, illogical, filled with many disparities in wealth, health, environment, race, color, creed, sexual orientation, faith, education, stability, resources, work opportunities, etc. Yet we all experience illness, death, grief, wars, disasters, pain, suffering and isolation from others because of our shared humanity.  We are more the same than we are different. 

We need unconditional love for each other and the ability to show mercy before we can face ourselves in the mirror.  We need to do the "right thing" and be the example of how to unite the world rather than destroy it.  We only have one world to share.

"For when people get caught up with that which is right and they are willing to sacrifice for it, there is no stopping point short of victory."  Dr. Martin Luther King from "I've been to the mountaintop," April 3, 1968   

Victory for a peaceful world that helps to make all dreams come true. Thank you Rev. King!