When his home was bombed as his wife and four young children slept, Dr. King could have held it up to the world as an example of the kind of barbarism that is fueled by irrationality and extremism. He chose instead to practice the forgiveness he so often preached.
“Love has within it a redemptive power,” Dr. King said. “And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Love your enemies. Because if you hate your enemies, you have no way to redeem and to transform your enemies. But if you love your enemies, you will discover that at the very root of love is the power of redemption. ... there’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive.”
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One of my favorite quotes:
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
-Martin Luther King Jr.
love that and true on so many levels of our lives
A few days ago I heard a radio program about him, and I was deeply impressed.
I wish all people would take this to heart!
Right on - thank you for sharing this brilliant quote by Dr. King <3
And this reminds me of a saying relative to resentment/forgiveness that is mind-blowing to me: "Resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die." Plus, "Two wrongs don't make a right."
Such fundamental and essential lessons that only seem elusive when we allow hatred and arrogance to get the better of us.
Thanks again, Catherine, for sharing this to remind us that MLK day isn't just another day off work/school, but a time to slow down, remember, and think. <3
It is a hard lesson to put into practice, thanks for the reminder.
"If you want peace, work for justice."
xoSherry
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