Monday; January 20


          Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. left an indelible stamp on my generation (and quite possibly several generations to come).  As a galvanizing force for many of the civil rights movements of the mid-20th Century he became a recognizable face in the United States.  Yet, the thing for which Dr. King will be best remembered is his “voice”.  No, I do not mean his speaking voice – which was unique in and of itself – but the words he spoke from his heart and soul. 
          If you search for quotes by Mr. King you will find hundreds of them without trying very hard (and the subject matter will be as broad as his influence).  Throughout my lifetime I have heard many of Mr. King’s quotes, but I came across one the other day that I hadn’t seen, “Property is intended to serve life, and no matter how much we surround it with rights and respect, it has no personal being.  It is part of the earth man walks on.  It is not man.”.  I am not sure when these words were spoken, but they are just as relevant today as they were when they were originally uttered.  We live in a time when “things” have taken on a life of their own.  Whether it is real estate, consumer goods, pets or even cash money, our stuff can easily turn into our focus.  It is tempting to figuratively live and die by how well our stuff is doing for us.  Literally, our self-esteem and self-worth is often wrapped up in what we have.  Yet, as observed by Dr. King, property doesn’t have a human soul or eternal value, it is merely a part of the earth that will eventually be destroyed.
          Let’s use things and love people.  When we get that formula in order, our lives will begin to make more sense.
          Think About It!

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