freedom is a choice

"I've Been To The Mountaintop" framed, published famous speech by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

​Martin Luther King, Jr. Day brings many celebratory functions every year. There are breakfasts, speeches, marches and due respects given in honor the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. every year. These are all fitting. When “the parade” is over, then what? This will be brief.
 
The best, and really only, way to truly honor Dr. King’s Dream is to live Dr. King’s Dream. It is just this simple.
 
Others’ racist and sexist conduct can be overcome by choice. Our choice for freedom. If we, as a people, are restrained in any way, it is because we choose to be so. I can hear you saying no one chooses to be restrained. I strongly disagree. The choices we make in life – moment to moment – have far-reaching consequences. If those choices result in outcomes that do not serve us, we are the creator of those outcomes. If they restrict our freedom, we did it. We tied our own hands and placed limitations on our lives. Clearly, this is a collective doing because they are millions and millions of us who choose freedom moment-to-moment, every single day. What does choosing freedom look like? Simple. It looks like LOVE.
 
“Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” Being responsible and accountable behind the steering wheel, relating to all those we encounter on a daily basis as sisters and brothers, supporting hardworking businesses in our own communities, voting for those who respect and seek to do what is right for all, respecting and loving EVERYBODY. All the ways we affect one another could never be listed here, or anywhere else, for everything we do affects someone else. We really need to understand and appreciate this. Our actions set in further action a chain of energy and events that build momentum and reaps either good or bad, directly and indirectly.
 
We do not name-call, bully, curse, fight, kill, manipulate, defraud, steal from, deny civil rights, or, in any other way, seek to cause harm to people we love and respect. Accordingly, we do only those things that uplift and support others when we truly love them.
 
This month marked a one-year anniversary of the passing of my best friend. I remember how he always told me that he wants for me what he wants for himself. This is the true measure of caring for another.
 
When we choose to do only those things that affect others in ways we desire to be affected, we choose love and, consequently, we choose freedom. Make sure what you say and do in life from this point forward will reap a consequence you would want to personally reap.

What will you choose? “Freedom” or “Restraint through hatred, contempt and apathy”?
 
WE MUST BECOME AND LIVE THAT WHICH WE DESIRE TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE ... ONLY THEN DOES THE DREAM LIVE ON!

Thank you Dr. King!