Every year, we celebrate the life of Dr Martin Luther King Jr on the 3rd Monday of January. We listen to his 'I have a Dream speech' or read some of the published books on his life, his civil rights movement, non-violent approach, life struggles, and some people confine him as the leader of a particular community.
I consider Dr MLK as one the greatest global leaders of the 20th century in the lines of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, FDR and others. We learn some important life lessons from Dr MLK's speeches that are not related to Civil Rights, Christian teachings, or Community awakening workshops. These 4 life changing lessons are secular in nature and can be adapted and internalized by each one of us towards building a better society.
Do the right thing
Our ability to think and do the right thing is very essential. It has to be part of our fundamental principles and there is no need to procrastinate that intent. MLK says that there is no appropriate time, location or circumstance to do the right thing
The time is always right to do what's right
Size does not matter
Our intent to take action faces obstacles due to our own limiting thoughts. We compare ourselves with others and create this invisible barrier leading to procrastination. We get into a mindset that postpones certain activities to a state only "if certain conditions" are reached. Very few people reach that stage and lot of their ideas die down with them. MLK encourages us to be of service in whatever capacity and come out of limiting mindsets.
Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.
Imagination is key
With the right intent, and coming out of limiting belief, when you are ready to take the action, Dream BIG! Assume you want to be a Mentor for a group of students, dream of the higher purpose and the change that would bring in. It would motivate the individual and also the stakeholders in the ecosystem. MLK says dreams are here to stay forever!
You can kill the dreamer, but you can’t kill the dream.
Status Quo is not your friend
With the right intent, coming out of the limiting belief, having a dream, you have to take the action immediately. Your big dream may require you to fly and cross the boundaries imposed by the organizations, external factors or the society and it may feel like a daunting task. But do it anyway! I consider this profound advice can change the society for good. People settling in with temporary achievements, positions or titles instead of pursuing the goals towards self-actualization.. MLK wants you to march forward!
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.
I consider these 4 life lessons can significantly alter the conditioning of our professionals that pursue education / career goals and settle. Life is a continuous journey towards discovering new frontiers by unleashing the hidden, dormant potential through constant introspection.
Let us remember Dr MLK for providing these wonderful insights to imbibe in our life!