I have plenty of thoughts on Martin Luther King, Jr's memorial celebration as it relates to my experience, but today I was impacted emotionally by Thomas W. Dortch, Jr.
First.....I am delighted to live in a city (Coral Springs, Florida) that embraces diversity.
When my kids were in elementary school here in Coral Springs, I was ELATED, that there were no lines between people. Thank Goodness, prejudice was not as prevalent. Since I did not grow up in this environment, I was thrilled that my kids had a better experience!
That's not to say that prejudice does not exist......it is just better here!
Let me give you the Dictionary version of, " Prejudice": (an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.)
The key to this definition is WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE!!!!!
For 19 years the City of Coral Springs has brought to students, business leaders and the community a speaker that reflects on Martin Luther King, Jr's, mission in life in order to EDUCATE with knowledge. I have attended-I lost count but I think it is 8 or 9 of these events, so far.
Each speaker brings his perspective of Dr King's legacy. I even got to hear Coretta Scott King (sorry-I didn't know what a Blog was back then).
Each presenter says something incredibly valuable from their perspective. In lieu of going backwards, I'll start here with today's speaker, Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., Chairman Emeritus of 100 Black Men of America (a mentoring society focused on kids).
He made TWO statements that got my attention! (You had to be there if you wanted more ;-)
First he said...."LEADERS DO NOT ASK FOR FOLLOWERS, THEY INSPIRE". WOW! I loved the impact of this statement!!!
He also said...DIE EMPTY!
WHAT?!?! Please explain...
He went onto say that cemeteries are the richest lands in the world because they are filled with people who died with their knowledge & power inside of them.
Will that Be You? You are a VAULT of experience and knowledge! (You might as well be GOLD bars)
Are you going to keep that expertise to your self? Wouldn't sharing it be a better idea?
Mr. Dortch, said, make it your goal everyday to DIE EMPTY!!
Empty your mind EVERYDAY by giving your talents to mentor & share YOURSELF with others.
The key to this statement is you will be rewarded richly in the natural laws of nature. Not going to go into all of the detail how this will take place, but I'll give you the short version....
YOU GET BECAUSE YOU GIVE, AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT GIVE TO GET!
I do enjoy mentoring fellow Realtors because one thing I've learned...it does not matter what I teach them...they will NOT do it like me and they shouldn't because none of us are alike!
I especially enjoy mentoring children and my favorite is the Junior Achievement organization. How cool is that to teach kids how to run a business on their level of comprehension (from Kindergarten to Seniors)?
Bottom Line is that this was ANOTHER GREAT Event by the MLK committee in Coral Springs, Florida. A special Thanks goes to my friends at the local newspaper, the Forum, Joann Zollo and Justo Rey as you two are also an inspiration to leadership. Thank you for having me as your guest. Your invitation, inspired my heart with Mr. Dortch's words.
May we all be blessed in carrying forward Dr. Kings mission of equality for everyone!
