The other day I was in the car driving my youngest teenager to her weekly activity and the topic of MLK day came up. We were discussing our long weekend and she began to tell me what a remarkable man he was. She told me they took some time in class the previous week and watched his speech. She told me that it was amazing. She was moved and could pick out parts of the speech that really touched her; I was impressed! This coming from the girl who, well let’s be honest, really is not a fan of history. I listened to her talk to me about Martin Luther King, Jr for some time and really enjoyed her thoughts. As I always do, I turned the conversation onto her and how could she take what she learned from him and continue the movement, continue to spread his love.
Kids learning to spread love
I am often told by many that my parenting is different, and yes I agree. I love to make the kids learn themselves how to be a better person. In our house we live our lives by the bible. I like to talk with the kids about ways they spread love to everyone around them. But it’s not just through the words and actions of Jesus Christ that we can learn and teach, but by others who have made such a difference in the world, like Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
― Mother Teresa
The amazing thing about his speech, if you read it all the way through, is the sense of positive love. There is no blame or negative actions but words of love, positive actions and ways for others to be inspired. In this day in age there is so much negativity in our lives. Jump on social media and post after post on your feed is complaining, hurtful, ugly posts. There’s bullying in our schools and online in the lives are our little ones. There’s even negative behaviors and actions in our own churches, a place where there should be nothing but love!
“The time is always right to do the right thing.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
During my discussion with my daughter, she was able to point this out on her own. She was able to see that it’s hard work, and sometimes not rewarding right away, but spreading love is so much better then hatred and hurt. It was my chance to reinforce to her that her love is so much easier to give out and spread around the world then to hold it in and not create a positive environment. I’m not a fan of negative behavior, and I certainly raise all my kids to be one of love. My youngest is in a hard stage in life, he has such a big heart, wants everyone to be friends and wants to spread love to everyone everywhere. But as an 8 year old boy he is often laughed at and ridiculed for his behavior and actions. I have to encourage him everyday that love wins, hatred only causes hurt.
Being kind is hard, but worth the work
I can’t tell you that I’m perfect, I’m human, and like every human I make mistakes, commit sins. But I try hard to find the positive in everything. I try hard to treat everyone with respect and love each and everyday. I try hard to disagree with not hurt and yelling but through kindness and respect. Everyday it’s a choice that I choose and one that I hope is passed on through my kids. I’ve mentioned before that I believe change happens from within; within ourselves and within our homes. I feel like when we show love those around us will begin to spread love as well. Will everyone? Nope, but we can’t worry about that! We have to begin somewhere, and within ourselves, with the ones we are responsible for is the best place to start.
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
I have seen in little kids such hatred. I have watched them at young ages (like lower elementary school) talk and act with such hatred in their hearts to other around them. You cannot tell me that they were born that way, it has been taught, they are acting like their environment. So if we change the environment, if we choose to be spread love, even to those who spread hate, won’t love win in the end? It has to be better then living in a world where everyone hates each other and you are filled with such negative thoughts each and everyday.
There’s so many before us who have set examples
I have chosen, like so many before me, to spread love and kindness. Martin Luther King, Jr; Mother Theresa, Gandhi and so many others did just this. Will I ever stand in front of hundreds and give an inspiring message, nope, we all know I would never cause this introverted person would die before doing that! BUT I can spread the message through my actions and words in my everyday life as well as raising my kids to be the same. And you too can do the same! I believe in the end love will win, hatred will be darkened by the light of love!
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa
Make being kind part of your intentional living
It is January and we are all looking at ways we can continue to be a better person, how to improve our lives during this year. Or whether you are still looking for your word of the year, think about LOVE. Better your life and all those around you with spreading love! Join me in being intentional in your everyday life of the love you give others, the positive light you set off to all those you encounter. Not only will your life improve, but so will the world, whether the small amount you encounter each and everyday or the domino effect it will set off a big chain reaction in your community.
Next time you want to make a comment on one of those negative social media status’, remember it’s OK to disagree, just do it in a loving manner. Fill your life with positive posts, keep company with those who support the love not ones who tend to fill your heart with more hate. And like we teach our kids, think about everything before we speak! Ask yourself if this will spread light and love or dark and hatred? If my thirteen year old can see how one man could spread such love through one speech, I believe together we can all spread more light into this very dark world. So join me this year, improve yourself and all those around you by making a commitment, by being intentional and spreading love each and every day!
You can find more about choosing a word for your year, or my goal for intentional living here in this blog post.
If you would like to teach your kids about the amazing life of MLK here are a few resources: The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr and I am Martin Luther King, Jr.
And if you would like to read more about MLK, his writings and speeches here are a few books I have found helpful: Strength to Love and I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World
Updated May 31, 2020: Due to what is currently going on in our lives, I find that teaching and spreading light and love in the world is more important than ever. I try and live each and every day as Jesus would, and while I am not perfect, I do believe I am good at seeing people as God’s creations. I hope this post encourages you to start/continue to spread the light into this world. Like MLK says, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.” Be the light that drives out the darkness in this world. I am looking forward to reading this book written by MLK himself, Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?. I feel like it is relevant to this time and give me an idea how to continue to spread the light in such a dark time. I hope you join me!
