Rembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

BEA POSITIVE:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. “  ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

I admire Martin Luther King Jr. because he had a vision.  He had a dream.  On what would have been his 83^rd birthday, “let’s continue to learn from his legacy and seek to apply the same quality of growth and expanded vision in our own lives.”  (from a post that was first published at http://www.kellylowenstein.wordpress.com)

Top 10 Little-Known Facts about Martin Luther King Jr.:

1. MLK Jr. Day was not recognized as a paid national holiday in all 50 states until 2000.  (TIME)
2. The U2 song “Pride (In the Name of Love)” was written about MLK Jr. (Post Chronicle)

“Early morning April 4 shot rings out in the Memphis sky

Free at last, they took your life but could not take your pride”

1. He went to Morehouse College at the age of 15 (BBC)
2. He is the youngest man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. At the age of 35. (Nobel)
3. He saved the original series of Star Trek by encouraging actress Nichelle Nichols, who played Uhura, to stay on the show (National Post)
4. MLK Jr. died at the age of 39.  He himself predicted that he would not live to age 40. (BBC)
5. He was the 1^st black American to be named TIME Man of the Year.  (TIME)
6. Over 730 streets in the U.S. are named after him  (WS Journal)
7. He travelled over 6 million miles during his lifetime. (Nobel)

10. Martin Luther King Jr. was born Michael Luther King Jr.  (Nobel)

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Hello world!

It’s pretty amazing to study the meaning of your name.  Did your parents instinctively know that your name would help define you?  Or did they want you to live up to the meaning of your name?  No matter the reason, I love my name and can truly say that I am a “blessed voyager”!

Throughout my life’s “blessed voyage”, I have had the opportunity to travel and meet a lot of people.  I have always been drawn to positive, upbeat, optimistic people who are generally more fun and pleasant to be around.  Researchers have found that optimistic people are more successful, happier and healthier.

Early in my career, one of my managers inspired me to “always be the thermostat vs. the thermometer”.  Therefore, as the thermostat I strive to maintain optimism.  In business, I see problems as opportunities – a puzzle that hasn’t yet been solved.  In life, as T.D. Jakes says, “a train wreck may have killed me, but this is a pothole!”

My goal, personally and professionally, is to share a positive, helpful attitude and help others focus on potential and find that missing puzzle-piece. By listening and observing, I see unique characteristics, desires and sometimes quirky traits in people. While realizing that all of us have shortcomings, I try not to dwell upon them.  I believe that focusing on strengths and potential and sharing our accomplishments is powerful and contagious!

So with that, my first “BEA POSITIVE”.

“You never know how the smallest act of kindness may impact someone’s life forever”.  (note from a dear friend I met while working in Chicago)

Sometimes just an encouraging word is all you need to help you move out of your comfort zone and chase a dream.  Thank you Andre and Gerhardt for your encouragement and advice and spurring my idea into reality.

I hope these words will impact you POSITIVELY.   Share your “BEA POSITIVE” moment with others and let’s create a POSITIVE CONTAGION!