Advice for Today from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
21
01, 2026
22
01, 2020
Wise Quote from MLK, Jr.
About the quote
Researching quotes by MLK, Jr. I found this. There were so many it was truly hard to pick just one for Wednesday quotes.
This one reminded me of what I used to tell my school age kiddos…”I don’t expect you to have perfect grades. I do expect you to do your best.”
And, now as adults, they’re telling my grandkids the same thing.
There’s truth in Mr. King’s words. We just need to be the best we can be.
20
01, 2020
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day = National Day of Service
Martin Luther King, Jr. believed life’s most persistent and urgent question was:
‘What are you doing for others?’
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the federally established day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy.
On the National Day of Service everyone is encouraged to volunteer to improve our communities. Something, in my opinion, we should consider more than one day a year.
If you can only manage one day, then make it this one.
And, whatever you choose to do today, think about this excerpt from one of my favorite King quotes:
“… anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve.
You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve.
You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Looking for ideas on how you can serve? Find opportunities available in your community here you’ll need to enter your zip code.
21
01, 2019
Starting 2019 with Martin Luther King
Today we honor Martin Luther King, the symbol for non-violent protest since the sixties Civil Rights Movement. His leadership in a trying time inspired change. He stirred, and still stirs, our conscience with his words.
Here are some of my favorites:
- “Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
- “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
- “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
- “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”
- “The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.”
- “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
Are we forwarding the vision he set forth in these quotes today? Why not make this MLK Day the start of a year in which we purpose to move forward.
15
01, 2018
It’s Martin Luther King Day
Martin Luther King’s calm civil disobedience and charismatic leadership inspired men and women, young and old, here and around the world.
He inspired so many that, in 1964, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize – the youngest man to receive the prestigious honor.
Through his lectures and dialogues, he stirred our conscience. His words continue to be as meaningful today.
President Ronald Reagan signed legislation in 1983 to establish a yearly federal holiday to honor the man and his accomplishments. Today has been designated as that day.
As you honor Dr. King today, pause and consider these MLK quotes.
On Leadership
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
On Love
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
On Getting Along
“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”
On Faith
“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”
On Service
“Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Additional legislation passed in in 1994 establishing Martin Luther King Day of Service to encourage citizens to use the federal holiday as an opportunity to give back to their communities. Why not let this MLK Day be the start of a year in which you make a positive impact?
16
01, 2017
Thoughts on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
President Ronald Reagan signed legislation in 1983 designating today as a federal holiday to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. and his accomplishments.
Dr. King’s nonviolent activism during the civil rights movement changed things for so many. He believed “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”
Today offers an opportunity to reflect on the past, think about the present, plan for the future, and remember what is truly important.
We are all in the same boat now.
More recently, the 1994 King Holiday and Service Act passed to encourage Americans to transform the King Holiday into a day of citizen action volunteer service.
This quote sums up Dr. King’s attitude on service
“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
As we reflect on Dr. King’s words, I encourage all of us to find a project that forwards King’s vision and participate. Let today be the start of a year in which we make a positive and peaceful impact in our community and the world.
Let’s make this boat we’re in a better place.
18
01, 2016
Martin Luther King, Jr Day of Service
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation designating a federal holiday to honor Martin Luther King, Junior for his accomplishments. Today is that day.
Honoring Dr. King’s birthday evolved into a national day of service to encourage citizens to use the federal holiday as an opportunity to give back to their communities with legislation in 1994 that established a Martin Luther King Day of Service to coincide with the Federal holiday. 
King’s vision was to build what he called “the beloved community.” He believed life’s most persistent and urgent question was
‘What are you doing for others?’
Check here to find projects in your specific area where you can honor him and help your community.
Even if you don’t have the federal day off, make a positive and peaceful impact in your community. What better way to honor King’s legacy than by helping others every day.
19
01, 2015
Peace and MLK Day
Martin Luther King was the pivotal figure in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. His calm civil disobedience and charismatic leadership inspired men and women, young and old, here and around the world.
President Ronald Reagan signed legislation in 1983 designating the day as a federal holiday to honor the man and his accomplishments.
Dr. King inspired so many, so much that in 1964 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize – the youngest man to receive the prestigious honor.
When we think about amount of violence prevalent today and the increasingly violent movies, television shows and video games, I totally agree with Dr. King’s daughter, Bernice.
Through his lectures and dialogues, he stirred, and still stirs, our conscience. Consider these MLK quotes as you honor him today:
On Leadership
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
On Love
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
On Getting Along
“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”
On Faith
“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”
On Service
“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
And as you think about that last quote, I remind you of the legislation passed in in 1994 establishing Martin Luther King Day of Service to encourage citizens to use the federal holiday as an opportunity to give back to their communities.
Even if you don’t have the federal day off, I encourage you to find a work that forwards King’s vision and participate. Let MLK Day be the start of a year in which you make a positive and peaceful impact in your community.
20
01, 2014
Ideas for Change on MLKJ Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. preached about justice, empowerment, love and peace. 
Dr. King believed life’s most persistent and urgent question was
‘What are you doing for others?’
Through his nonviolent activism during the civil rights movement, he changed things for others.
Today offers an opportunity to reflect on the past, think about the present, plan for the future, and reminds us of what is truly important.
Here are some ways to honor Dr. King and impact change in your community.
- Organize a Book and School Supply Drive
- Plant trees in your neighborhood
- Organize a Fitness Event
- Write Letters to Troops
Find other ideas here
Check here for MLKJ Day projects in your specific area.
You can also check out Todd Goldfarb 50 Ways You Can Be The Change here.
Whatever you choose to do today, I leave you with one of my favorite King quotes:
“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve.
You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve.
You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”