Journal of Sacred Work

Caregivers have superpowers! Radical Loving Care illuminates the divine truth that caregiving is not just a job. It is Sacred Work.

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Former President & CEO of multiple hospital systems and founding president & CEO of 20-hospital OhioHealth, best selling author, film artist, ordained minister, composer, published poet, syndicated T.V. host, trial attorney, federal prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge. Erie is internationally known as the founder of the Radical Loving Care(R)movement. He also heads Erie Chapman Foundation, Dane Dakota Productions, LLC, and Chapman Health International, Inc.

Recent Posts

About

Former President & CEO of multiple hospital systems and founding president & CEO of 20-hospital OhioHealth, best selling author, film artist, ordained minister, composer, published poet, syndicated T.V. host, trial attorney, federal prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge. Erie is internationally known as the founder of the Radical Loving Care(R)movement. He also heads Erie Chapman Foundation, Dane Dakota Productions, LLC, and Chapman Health International, Inc.

Day 19 – A Short Life that Stood Tall – M.L. King, Jr. at 80

King also
An individual has not started living until he can
rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the
broader concerns of all humanity.  – Martin Luther King, Jr.(above, with his wife, Coretta.)

   It's hard to believe that, had he lived, Martin Luther King would only be eighty years old today. We are all created equal. Yet, the lives of some stand so tall that it's hard for we regular-sized folks to comprehend. King called us to transcend our narrow concerns to reach for the good of all humanity. His personal example speaks volumes about the ability of one life to affect hundreds of millions.
   Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life stood so tall that he could be seen around the world. Imagine if lives were imagined in that way and one of those graphs was created that portrayed the population of the world arrayed in size by the how many people their lives have touched. Imagine what a giant image we would have of this one man. 

   If you're wondering about one way King's words live today, click on http://www.thekingcenter.org/. The voice and the words vibrate for us even though the speaker has left this earth.
   Contrary to what some said in the recent Presidential campaign, words are important work. That is what Martin Luther King demonstrated across his life. His words via his Letter from a Birmingham jail. His words delivered from the front of the Lincoln Memorial, and his words delivered as he ascended from prisoner to winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. From Birmingham to Stockholm. From anonymous to famous. From vibrant life to tragic death.
   All of this describes the life of a man whose words mattered because of the work he did to back them up. King's genius coincided with the needs of his time. Yet, we need his gifts to this very day. We need his heroism. We need his eloquence. We need both his words and his courage.
   Perhaps we have some of King's strength and Love in the person of the man who will be sworn in January 20 as our new President. If Barack Obama can transcend the lower demands of his office, he may yet bring to our country and the world a set of gifts that will restore the image of the freedom we all cherish.
   In the meantime, Martin Luther King, Jr. lives for us all. January 19 marks our celebration not only of his life, but of the words he left behind. "We shall overcome" and "I have a dream" are phrases which ring in our hearts as clearly now as if King still walked this earth.
   Caregivers can look to the example of a short life that stood tall. Dr. King's life demonstrates that each of us may stand equally tall, regardless of our fame. We do this through living Love.

-Erie Chapman

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4 responses to “Day 19 – A Short Life that Stood Tall – M.L. King, Jr. at 80”

  1. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    I received an e-mail message this morning that give good cause for reflection:
    “In everything we say and do
    we are always leading —
    and teaching —
    by example.
    What lessons
    are you offering now
    to others?”
    I attended John Philip Sousa Junior High School in the Bronx, New York. The mix of students was predominantly black and there were racial tensions, fights after school and the like. I remember being fearful of having to attend this school and my older sisters warning of caution to not let anyone see I was afraid. Therefore, in order to survive I tried to walk around with a persona of toughness. I was fortunate to have many black friends from my elementary school who looked out for my welfare at this new school.
    I vividly remember that day, I was 13, and in an assembly auditorium with about 500 others students. Mr. Young came on stage to announce that Dr. King was assassinated and due to this tragedy, we were being dismissed. Everyone cheered at the announcement that school was letting out early. Mr. Young was appalled at the group response and his admonishment caused a hush of shame that left us in a deep sombering silence. His words shook us awake and we left irrevocably changed.
    It seems we have come light years ahead since then. As we gratefully remember Dr. King today and the men and woman who have gone before us I wish to share an excerpt from Kevin Ranville’s thoughts on Remembrance Day – November 11, 2000.
    “How do you say thank you to those
    with the belief that their one life, whether lost or saved,
    could make a difference, had to make a difference, for our sake,the generation they had not even met yet?
    How do you say thank you to the men and women
    who had faith in us before we were even born,
    faith that we would become people worth fighting for,
    and worth dying for?
    How do you say thank you?
    You honour their sacrifice with your own life.
    You go to war against your faults and failures.
    You conquer all the things inside you that make this world
    a worse place to live in; worse for your family, friends, neighbours, co-workers.
    You fight to make the small space in the world that you touch a better place.
    You win the battle for your own soul.
    You be good and do good; you live selflessly, remembering the example that the veterans, both living and dead, laid down for us.
    You live life so well that those who remember the horrors of war look on you with satisfaction and pride and are comforted,never feeling for a moment that you weren’t worth the price they paid.

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  2. Diana Gallaher Avatar
    Diana Gallaher

    I love the audio you link to of Dr. King defining how to be great: service to all. Richard Foster in “Celebration of Discipline” has a wonderful chapter on service. He describes the disciples of Jesus arguing over who among them was the greatest. In Foster’s words, “Then Jesus took a towel and a basin and redefined greatness.”
    Service is like everything else. Without love, it is just a lot of noise. Dr. King gave us so much because he understood and lived love – the heart of service.

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  3. Victoria Facey Avatar
    Victoria Facey

    What a beautiful piece you’ve created about Dr. King, and the addition of the King Center website is a gift to the readers.
    As the day of Mr. Obama’s ignauguration quickly approaches, I tear up at the thought of actually having our country represented by so many races and cultures. Dr. King would be so proud to see this day coming – and to know that we are getting closer to living his dream.
    My African-American ancestors, my deceased mother, grandparents and lost family members would be in such awe of tomorrow’s events.
    My family and I intend to celebrate on their behalf… please join me as we welcome in the new administration.

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  4. Maureen McDermott Avatar
    Maureen McDermott

    Here in Australia 20 January has already dawned and with it the air of excitement of this historic day in the history of our world and in particular in the USA. I am so grateful to Erie and Liz for alerting me to the birthday of Martin Luther King – a true prophet and a sign of hope who continues to inspire us. I wish each of you a day of joy and wonder as you witness the inauguration of Barack Obama. May his dream become a reality for all of us.

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