First, I’m not a politician and I don’t aspire to be. Second, I’d be the first person to tell you I’m a Democrat, a Lutheran, a woman (hopefully obviously), a middle-aged woman (hopefully not so obviously), a Caucasian, 9th generation American and apparently a honorary hockey mom (since I grew up in Alaska); (the last one is technically not true because my kids sing and do Aikido, and my van died, but I digress…)
The point is I have my opinions about how things should be done and run but that’s not the purpose of this site. The purpose of this site is to focus on the good in all things. And sometimes that’s a challenge because sometimes those things are hard because the stuff that really matters is hard. Our opinions are sharply divided; our experiences real and raw, and sometimes its easier to fixate on our differences than discuss our common dreams and challenges.
Today is the 47th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s historic “I have a dream” speech. I’d urge you to take seventeen minutes to watch it and remember its relevance today. If you don’t have seventeen minutes then hopefully you can five minutes to read it: http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html. And if you don’t have five minutes (first I’d recommend you get off Facebook and check it out, but since you’re here…) consider this for our Good in All Things “practice” for today. I borrowed (liberally) from Dr. King but I think he’d be okay with it.
At the end of the day, regardless of our differences, our lives are inextricably bound. Cancer doesn’t care if you’re a Democrat. Floods don’t care if you’re rich. Pain has no faith.
We cannot and do not walk alone. Like it or not, we live together on this earth. We cannot control others, but we can control ourselves. For today—let us pledge to look forward, and argue our differences with dignity, peace and discipline. In the inimitable words of Dr. King:
“Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.”
About Anne Addison
Thanks for sharing the video, Anne. After avoiding the news all day today in order to hear no more about Mr. Beck’s narcissism fest, the actual words of Martin Luther King Jr. felt like a balm to the soul. I haven’t often heard the entire speech from beginning to end–they often play just the same classic excerpts over and over–and the full context of the message make a difference. You made my day better.:-)
I love this and what you are doing here. You are being the difference you wish to see in the world! (In the words of Mandella) I applaud you for that!
Thanks to both of you. I had never heard the whole speech myself so appreciated it for exactly those reasons, Scott, and yes, my goal here is to practice focusing on what’s working and not giving my energy to the squabbling. I think that was what MLK was saying as well–not that we stop disagreeing, but that do so in a productive and mutually respectful way. Glad it made a difference to your day–that’s the idea!