A lesser known quote from Dr. Martin Luther King.
"When our days become dreary with low-hovering clouds of despair, and when our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, let us remember that there is a creative force in this universe, working to pull down the gigantic mountains of evil, a power that is able to make a way out of no way and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows. Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice."
Article “Out of the Long Night,” The Gospel Messenger periodical, 1958
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This quote reminds me of energy. Energy, as you may know, has a number of properties...
1) It's always "conserved," which means that energy cannot be truly created or destroyed. The same amount of energy that exists in this moment has always existed.
2) It's always transforming from one form to another – sometimes imperceptibly slowly and other times blindingly fast.
3) The path of that transformation goes through the least resistance (even if the resistance is sizable - think of a dandelion pushing its way through the pavement).
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What does Martin Luther King's quote and the properties of energy have in common?
Regardless of the state of things now, change is not only possible, but inevitable.
What's truly remarkable is that we ALL have the power to transform energy, especially the energy within your thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and actions.
If I ask you to feel happy, if even for a moment, you can do it.
If I ask you to believe that you are loved, if even for a moment, you can do it.
If I ask you to be non-judgemental, fearless, inspired, enthusiastic, and take one action accordingly, YOU CAN!
YOU are a "creative force of the universe," as Dr. King mentions.
And if we all chose to wield this awesome power to BE more loving, kind, holistic, observant, present, aware, and LEAD with this energy, the state of this moment will transform into something truly miraculous.
Then guess what? People in your sphere of influence will start to shift as well.
But it all starts in the same place...within you.
Happy Martin Luther King day.