Dr. Martin Luther King endorses "Life on Purpose"!

Another excerpt from MLK sermonThe Drum Major Instinct.


"If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don’t want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. And every now and then I wonder what I want them to say. Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize—that isn’t important. Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awards—that’s not important. Tell them not to mention where I went to school.

I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others.

I'd like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody.

I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question.

I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry.

And I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked.

I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison.

I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.

Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind. And that's all I want to say."

Dr. King lived his life on purpose - as we consider all the amazing things people will say about MLK as we commemorate his birthday, life and legacy - consider that it was his purpose, his plan, his intention, his strategy, his blueprint that we'd say such things. Let's not leave our precious lives to chance and live in default mode. Let us all be deliberate and strategic about the time, talent and treasure entrusted to us.

So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Ralph

Digging Deeper

For those of you visiting the blog as a result of tonight's "Life on Purpose" talk at the Aftershock, here are the digging deeper questions I promised.

Read 1 Samuel 3 again and give the questions your best shot...the answers are for you...keep in a book. Let me know if you any questions and/or want to share any thoughts with me.

Digging Deeper:
1. Do you believe God speaks? How does he communicate to you?

2. Do you believe God has a ‘plan’ for you? How do you know?

3. Do you have any ideas regarding God’s plan for you?

4. Why was it important for Samuel to be ‘dedicated’ to the temple?

5. Why was Samuel confused about ‘who’ was calling him?

6. What was the significance of the burning lamp in the temple?

7. Why was it important for Samuel to have an influential leader in his life?

8. What was the significance of Samuel opening the doors in the house of the Lord?

9. What does a personal application of ‘life on purpose’ look like at home and in school?

10. What are the alternatives to not living life on purpose?


Ralph

Life On Purpose Moment

I have a handful of books that are a 'must read' - yearly! The 7Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey is one of them.

I am preparing to give a 'Life on Purpose' talk this Friday at The Aftershock and will be posting content for the students to access from my blog.

This installment is an outline of Habit #2 (Begin with end in mind). Consider buying the book or read Habit#2 for FREE during your next Barnes and Noble visit.

Habit #2 -- Begin with the End in Mind
Principles of Personal Leadership

To begin with the end in mind is to begin with the image of the end of your life as the frame of reference by which everything else is measured. We may be busy, we may be efficient, but we will only be effective if we begin with the end in mind.

All Things are Created Twice
Habit 2 is based on the principle that all things are created twice:
a mental or first creation
a physical or second creation
Most endeavors that fail, fail with the first creation.

By Design or Default
There is a first creation to every part of our lives. We are either the second creation of our own proactive creation, or we are the second creation of other people's agendas, of circumstances, or of past habits.

A Personal Mission Statement
The most effective way to begin with the end in mind is to develop a personal mission statement. The key to the ability to change is a changeless sense of who you are, what you are about, and what you value. Once you have a sense of mission, you have the essence of your own proactivity; the vision and values which direct your life, the basic direction from which you set your goals.

A Principle Center
Our lives need to be centered on correct principles -- deep, fundamental truths, classic truths, generic common denominators. As a principle centered person, you try stand apart from the emotions of situations and from other factors to evaluate options.

Feel free to leave comments or questions.

Ralph

Life on Purpose - what others are saying...

I received this link from someone on twitter today and found it very affirming to see others saying what I've been trying to say - and doing a better job at it! Consider: If enough people say the same thing at the same time...a chorus has more impact than a solo!

Life On Purpose - the 'story' behind the story!

In June, I was invited to give the keynote address at the 2008 commencement ceremony at my alma mater Grover Cleveland High School and unbeknownst to me someone recorded and posted the video on myspace. In the address, I shared a story about a gentlemen named Erik Morales who facilitated a group activitiy that impacted my life. Recently, I was able to connect with him and with his permission posted an email he sent. Watch the video and see email below.

Live Life on Purpose


Rafael,

In watching the video of your keynote presentation I cannot help but steal a bit of pride. So thanks for that.

On one hand it was hard to believe that the man on the dais is the same boy who I interviewed and worked with a decade ago. However, at the same time I did see much of the potential that is evident now, and I am glad that you cultivated that potential to the degree that you have.

It is refreshing to hear that at least some of the countless exercises and workshops I have done have had some positive effect. Than you very much for sharing.

It appears things are going very well for you. Congratulations on your beautiful family. I am sure you are an excellent husband and father.

I have been happily married for a while now (which is a rarity these days) and am fortunate to have two kids of my own. Life has been good,-- I have been a professor at Jersey City University for four years now and am quite happy teaching and doing research. I also do speeches and workshops on my resilience research, so perhaps we can work together sometime soon.

Keep up the good work and I hope we stay in-touch.

My best to you and yours.

Erik Morales

I am humbled by some major opportunities I'll have in January which may result in a widespread impact on hundreds of students. It is people like Dr. Erik Morales who inspire me to work, think, read, write, pray and fight for the potential in other students to be realized.

2009 - we go hard!

Ralph