As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, let’s use this opportunity to incorporate his teachings of kindness, love and respect for others into our own lives. I believe if everyone incorporated his message into their lives, this world would be a much better place to live.
Many years before becoming Illinois secretary of state, I was a student at Alabama State College in Montgomery. I attended a small church there, where Dr. King served as my pastor. He spoke not only of equality but also of loving all people and treating others with respect. He spoke of non-violence and of giving back to your community. Dr. King’s wisdom and kindness to me had a real impact on my life.
Looking back, I realize how many of his teachings I have incorporated into my own way of life.
I encourage others not to spend one second of their time disliking another person because of race, creed or color. I believe that all that I am today and all that I hope to be in life I owe to someone. One of those people I am indebted to is Dr. King.
Let’s take this day to remember Dr. King and use his message as a roadmap to try to live every day with love in our hearts for each other. Conveying this message is a priceless gift that all people would cherish.
