The Kindness of Martin Luther King, Jr.

It seems fitting to talk about kindness during the month of January. It may be cold, but kindness can break an icy heart. The weather might be harsh and gloomy, but it doesn’t mean we have to be. January is also the month we honor Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. for his many contributions to the world we know. Kindness was an integral part of who King was, and it makes him the perfect example for our series on kindness. King knew civil rights couldn’t be won “by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred” but through acts of kindness.

We can read about and be inspired by Dr. King’s life, but the best way to celebrate what he believed in, is through acts of service. “The time is always right to do the right thing”, he once said. That’s why Martin Luther King Jr. Day is also a day of national service. In other words, it’s a day to be kind.

Take a look around your community. Check in on your neighbors. Assist a local charity in a worthy cause. Help a friend, family member or even a total stranger. And though our actions are important, kindness isn’t just about what we do. It’s about the way we think as well and how we judge others. A kind heart is a great way to start your day.

King is forever associated with the Civil Right Movement of the 1960’s, but dry history books don’t fully encapsulate everything he stood for. Kindness was at the heart of everything he did. He knew achievement in life wasn’t about what we can do for ourselves, but what we can do for others. This January, honor the legacy of Doctor King by doing something good for your community.