I just finished watching a documentary on Martin Luther King Jr. I try to watch a few every year, and every year I am totally and utterly amazed. Here are a few conclusions I came to during a little post documentary reflection.
Education Matters
Dr. King was a master reader, writer, orator, and learner. His discipline and attention to detail become more apparent with each speech I listen to. Quite often I would describe his work as poetry. He knew enough to walk the walk and talk the talk. His skills served to lay the foundation for millions of people to believe in him and ultimately follow him in his cause for justice.
Persistence Wins
Through church burnings, beatings, incarceration, deaths, and numerous setbacks, Dr. King continued with his message of peace, love, social justice, and non-violence. To experience these things with the world watching, and to continue, was a feat onto itself. There are but a small group of people that would sacrifice their own lives, or lives of their loved ones to bring about positive change for others.
Passion Primes Success
We all have jobs. How many of us have jobs we are truly passionate about? In my experience as an educator I have to admit that I thrive on the psychological benefits that come from teaching, but I don't always feel that way. I don't yet have that prevalent passion that I can draw upon to take me to the next level. I am working on it though. In this case the cliche is true, success comes when you follow your passion. This passion is necessary when you need to deal with all of the crap that comes can come your way. This passion can provide the compass when you get lost.
Hero
I can say that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a hero of mine. In the speak of this blog he is truly A Dude That Abides. There are so many lessons to be learned from him, this is just what's on my mind at the moment. Who are your heroes? What qualifies?
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