A Reflection on Change for Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 18, 2010

"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.

That Martin Luther King Jr. Day is becoming a national day of service is very fitting and most appropriate. Sometimes, though, I suspect that history and time collapse great historical movements into more simplistic short stories that are easier to grasp, tell and understand.  Great movements of social change, like the Civil Rights movement, are never simple and rarely brief. 

A few years ago I read the Pulitzer Prize winning Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-1963 by Taylor Branch (the first in a trilogy).  For me, one of the most striking aspects of the book was how many years so many individuals in this movement toiled behind the scenes and in relative obscurity.  The movement faced huge external obstacles, but also internal obstacles, that at every turn seemed insurmountable.  Dr. King, along with many great people, were willing to take unimaginable personal risks for their cause; day after day; year after year - it's hard to fathom this level of courage. 

Some of us may be called to this level of courage in our lives; others may not.  Either way, it is both comforting and challenging to recognize that history shows that achieving real change is neither easy nor quick.  Whether you are working toward large or small change; patience, determination, and dedication to a vision over the long run is essential.

So while we take one day to recognize a great leader and a great movement, let's also remember that Dr. King's work and the social movement he led, encompassed many lifetimes. 

And on this day, we at Mission Research extend our thanks to all of the dedicated participants in the nonprofit world who continue the daily struggle toward positive change. As you wade through the individual tasks and activities in pursuit of your larger goals, we applaud you, and encourage you on your mission.