I have always been fascinated with Martin Luther King Jr. I was born the day he was assassinated, April 4, 1968. In fact, just moments after he was pronounced dead 7:05pm a baby girl screamed her lungs out in a hospital near Los Angeles CA. Some might say “what rotten luck to be born on such a infamous day” but I never thought of it that way. Like many, I grew up in awe of him. Hearing his speech’s would put me into a bit of trance, much like running does. His powerful words resonating in my heart…they still do.
Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream. A dream so big that he was hated for it. He was murdered at 39 years old, but that did not stop his dream from coming true. It would take countless supporters and years of laborious work, but even postumously his dream slowly came true. But Dr. King had a relentless vision for humanity. Yes, he was surrounded by people who supported him, but he had more that hated him and everything he stood for. And just as many that were neutral and unwilling to take a stand either way. The bravery it must have taken him to stay true to his dream is unimaginable. Even the people who supported him, I am sure, at times thought “this is never going to happen.”
Today as I went out on my run, I contemplated how I could personally honor such an amazing human being. What came to mind was that I can teach my children about him, but more important, I can teach my children, through my words and actions, to not put limitations on what is possible. It can be as small as achieving your running goals to as big as finding a cure for Cancer or protesting for a better Humanity. Whatever your dream is, I ask you: How do your thoughts limit the possibility of your of your dreams coming true? How often do you catch yourself saying “I can’t”, “I’m not good enough?”, or worse comparing yourself to someone else.
Dreams don’t come easy or overnight. They take commitment and you must be willing to sacrifice. Often times you will feel like giving up, as I am sure many great people have. Those are the moments you have to ask yourself how bad do you want this dream? You must sweep away the limiting thoughts that tell you “I’m too tired”, “I just can’t go on” and find a way to climb over the wall that you have hit, all the while keeping the vision of your dream crystal clear and in the fore front of your thoughts. People may not like you along the way, you may loose a few that you thought were friends but you must carry on, just as Dr. King did.
Today on this very special holiday honor the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. to fuel your own dreams… so I end by asking you…what are your dreams? There are none too big or small.
How do you limit yourself and how can you free your mind of those road blocks?
