My New Happy: MLK Day Of Service

Monday, January 19, 2015

MLK Day Of Service


What are you doing for others?
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I have been inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. since I was a young girl.  His passion for the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent means appealed to my nature, and when I read that he suffered from depression most of his life, my respect for him grew. Dr. King's ability to overcome that darkness and instead spread light throughout the world fills me with hope. It is only fitting that we celebrate this great man today.

However, Dr. King was a man of action.  He felt that "everybody can be great because everybody can serve."  In 1994, Senator Harris Wofford proposed a bill to help join the observance of Martin Luther King's birthday with a national day of service.  In his speech to Congress, Mr. Wofford stated,


"Nothing would have angered Martin more than people supposedly honoring him
by sitting home watching TV or sleeping late.  The King holiday should be a day
on, not a day off; a day of action, not apathy; a day of responding to
community needs, not a day of rest.  Martin would want the holiday honoring
his birthday to be a day of reflection, not recreation; service, not shopping;
a day not only of words, but of deeds".

Today is the Martin Luther King Day of Service, and thousands of volunteer activities will be taking place, bringing out the "greatness" in people, just as Dr. King wanted. Americans will be coming together to make a difference in their communities.  In this time of unrest and uncertainty in our country, imagine what a million people can do in just one day of community service.


My younger son and I will be working in the homes of the elderly of our community today, cleaning, making small repairs, and running errands.  I want my boys to learn the importance of giving one's time and effort to help those less fortunate than them, and the best way to teach that is to show them through my own actions.  If you have some time, I hope you will join me, and "make it a day on, not a day off."

14 comments:

  1. Hi Lana, I hope you enjoy today with your boys giving back to the community!

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  2. We don't celebrate this day in Canada. We're poorer for it!

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  3. I generally do something every single year but this year...I did nothing and I am so ashamed. I am still recovering from keeping the babies this weekend and I had a small accident last night so I am taking it easy today and babysitting again tomorrow for a little bit! We had such a good time this past weekend but boy we were both exhausted! He fell asleep at 6 pm while I made it until 7:30! Then we got up at 4 because we actually forgot what today was and he went all the way to work and had to turn around and come home so we went back to sleep for a little bit..well me for a little bit him until 1:30! Apparently it kicked his butt worse than mine! I actually fell UP the steps, don't ask my how and hurt my left wrist pretty bad so that's a pretty poor excuse for being lazy!

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    1. Rena, the last thing I would ever call you is lazy! Taking care of your mother and grandbabies is definitely giving back - and I think Dr. King would approve!

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  4. Lana you are so passionate about this ... we don't have this holiday but I totally agree we should serve whenever we possibly can.. I agree that is the best thing we can do... it is an act of love xox

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  5. I hope it was a great day volunteering Lana. I am sure your help was much appreciated by the elderly people you assisted.

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    1. Thanks Susan. We had a great day and met some wonderful people.

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  6. Scarlet had an assembly on Friday and a day off yesterday and I was so surprised by how much she had learned about him. She knew all about how he was shot and killed. I thought I'd sugarcoat that part but I'm glad the teachers didn't.
    He makes me cry. I still get mad that he's gone. Same with John Lennon, and I know it's very different, but I believe they both wanted a better world.

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    1. I agree - it makes me mad too. Such amazing men, and who knows what they could have accomplished!

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  7. That is so nice. I didn't realize it was a day of service. I would have planned something. I hope you all enjoyed your day giving back!

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