Dr. King - an example of taking charge of your beliefs

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Around the country today, many are recognizing the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King and many are not. There are going to be countless news reports talking about the “legacy” of Dr. King. Numerous sound bites and street interviews will cover the usual topics:

• “he fought for equal rights”
• “I can eat where I want”
• “dream” this, and “dream” that

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not knocking any of those quotes, however, it has come to a point where people are just programmed to spew off those quotes when they don’t even know the context. With that said, this article is going to recognize Dr. King in a different context - beliefs.

“Whether you believe you can do something or you believe you can’t, you’re right.”

Think about that quote for a minute.

There were many people ‘back in the day’ that disagreed with what civil rights leaders were trying to do. I am talking about black folks. Those who felt that “it was no use”, “we should give up”, “we should stay in our place”, and that “the world is just how it is, there is nothing we can do about it.”

All of those naysayers have one thing in common with Dr. King and those active in the civil rights movement - their beliefs defined their actions.

What people believe, what they think is possible or impossible, determines greatly what they can or cannot do.

This is true today. When it comes to personal empowerment, it all starts with our beliefs. However, our beliefs are greatly influenced by our environment.

During the civil rights movement, African Americans were influenced by the hate and despair around them. However, many individuals did not allow their surroundings to deter their fight for what was, and is, right. They turned it into fuel to empower themselves.

Dr. King and others serve as an example of the fact that you can control your beliefs. Studying our past leaders and current ones (this includes teachers, family members, friends, etc.) is a good start in obtaining the life you want. This is called modeling.

If you have a friend that is successful in a field that you are interested in, talk to him or her. Learn what they did to get where they are and apply it to yourself. But to do this, you have to BELIEVE you are capable of living the life you desire.

Take a moment and write down five beliefs that have limited yourself in the past. Examples: “I’m not smart enough”, “I cannot succeed because I am black”.

Now, take a look at the list you just created. The next thing I want you to do is to write down five empowering beliefs that can support you in achieving your goals. Examples: “What I don’t know, I can learn”, “Because I am Black, I can accomplish anything I desire”.

Our negative beliefs hinder our growth. Turning those negative beliefs into positive ones is just one step toward living the life that you desire.

Just keep in mind our belief systems are not permanent, we have brains and we can change our belief system whenever we desire to do so. Dr. King and many other leaders, especially Malcolm X, not only formed their own belief systems, but helped others to do the same.

Now it is your turn.