In January 2020 we will take one step at a time with the deep ideas of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — Letting the children really absorb and reflect upon a few key pieces of his great vision.
The first focus of our month was the Content of our character:
The first focus of our month was the Content of our character:
Dr. King said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day grow up in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER.”
Listen to this song. https://youtu.be/Evl6ATp0AgA
It’s called See Me Beautiful by Red Grammar. This song was introduced to Ethical through the work of Marshall Rosenberg’s Compassionate Communication. It speaks deeply to the question of seeing beyond the color of one’s skin or any other external detail about people, in order to SEE WITHIN. This song speaks to the deep yearning that people have to be seen for who they are as whole human beings.
As we discuss the “content of our character” — We focus on this very human need to be seen for who we really are — our mind, hopes, ideas, heart, dignity, wholeness — things that are not visible — unless you find the "ACT" in charACTer to somehow make your inner life visible through ACTion. Herein lies CHARACTER.
Borrowing an image from the story of the two wolves – (a Cherokee legend, spun a little differently for this purpose) – there are two very different parts of us that need to be taken care of well and deeply, in order for us to express ourselves fully and peacefully. Children all relate deeply to the "wolf within" that is growling with sadness and anger. Take a minute to acknowledge that part of yourself, the part that each one of us knows so deeply but doesn’t often show to others — it is an important and beautiful part of you. Of course, the happy joyful smiling wolf is the part of our character that we often show to others and more readily get appreciation for. Indeed, some people hide their character more than others, and so as read grammars song says, “it may take some time. It may be hard to find... but see me beautiful..”
Take a few opportunities this week to apply this notion of the content of one's character— by acknowledging an action (even a smile) as exhibiting the content of the character of those around you. You can let them know you SEE them. REALLY see them. By doing so, you are helping Dr. King's vision for humanity be more fully realized.
It’s called See Me Beautiful by Red Grammar. This song was introduced to Ethical through the work of Marshall Rosenberg’s Compassionate Communication. It speaks deeply to the question of seeing beyond the color of one’s skin or any other external detail about people, in order to SEE WITHIN. This song speaks to the deep yearning that people have to be seen for who they are as whole human beings.
As we discuss the “content of our character” — We focus on this very human need to be seen for who we really are — our mind, hopes, ideas, heart, dignity, wholeness — things that are not visible — unless you find the "ACT" in charACTer to somehow make your inner life visible through ACTion. Herein lies CHARACTER.
Borrowing an image from the story of the two wolves – (a Cherokee legend, spun a little differently for this purpose) – there are two very different parts of us that need to be taken care of well and deeply, in order for us to express ourselves fully and peacefully. Children all relate deeply to the "wolf within" that is growling with sadness and anger. Take a minute to acknowledge that part of yourself, the part that each one of us knows so deeply but doesn’t often show to others — it is an important and beautiful part of you. Of course, the happy joyful smiling wolf is the part of our character that we often show to others and more readily get appreciation for. Indeed, some people hide their character more than others, and so as read grammars song says, “it may take some time. It may be hard to find... but see me beautiful..”
Take a few opportunities this week to apply this notion of the content of one's character— by acknowledging an action (even a smile) as exhibiting the content of the character of those around you. You can let them know you SEE them. REALLY see them. By doing so, you are helping Dr. King's vision for humanity be more fully realized.
