Who's your personal MLK?

Who changed your life?

Who was there to give you a push at a critical time? Who made something happen that changed your future? Who challenged you to try something new — and helped you get started? Who picked you up when you fell or held you up when you stumbled? Who stuck with you when everyone else left?

Some people like Dr. Martin Luther King, whose legacy we celebrate today, changed thousands of lives. We admire how he helped change our nation. We celebrate his life. Most people who change lives, however, aren’t heralded by millions. Instead, they are invisible in the public’s eye, but they are monumental in the lives of those they touch.

When we talk about Being the Change, sometimes we think in terms of large and noble changes — like rescuing orphans, creating new medical devices or championing civil rights. These are wonderful and we applaud them. But if we are lifted up and inspired  by those who have gone before like Dr. King, then do we have a responsibility to take that inspiration a step further?

Each of us has the ability to change another’s life in our daily interactions. We can fill seemingly simple needs that have profound and lasting effects. We can offer help in small things. We can make anonymous contributions to large efforts that can snowball into huge changes. It is about getting started. Dr. King said it this way: “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

So as we celebrate Martin Luther King day, think about who has changed your life. Your personal MLK. And consider how you can change the lives of others today, tomorrow and every day for the rest of your life.

Today is a great day to get started — even if you crawl.

About these ads