S.T.A.N.D. LIKE KING
S.T.A.N.D. LIKE KING
A Framework for Facing Impossible Odds, Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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When I was 10 years old, I pulled Coretta Scott-KIng’s book “My Life with Martin Luther King Jnr,” from Uncle Sam’s library. He gave it to me. And from then on MLK became a guiding light.
MLK’s legacy reads like this: “Martin Luther King refused to allow prison, violence or the threat of death to sway his mission. Instead, he stood beside his goal of achieving human rights for all through nonviolent protests.”
How was it possible for him to stand like this, I often wonder?
I have a sense that he is still standing.
I have already noted that 2025 is an EARTH year uniquely attended by chaos and imbalances, yet it is also an opportunity for self-empowerment in every aspect of your life.
The tendency at times like this might be to try to run away from the present moment. We do this when we allow ourselves to identify with the confusion, uncertainty, ignorance and polarization being experienced at this time. When we adopt these experiences as who we are or make adversaries of them, we procrastinate, show-up inconsistently, grasp at things that are fleeting and struggle to accept the fact of what is.
Yet it is precisely at times like this that we must go deeper than the present experience of the moment, as STAND as the unrelenting essence of the NOW that is always expressed as a possibility, often in counterpoint to what is being experienced by the physical senses .
Consider that this is what it means to STAND.
When you choose to stand you answer a call to be a possibility you are grounded in who you are beyond the noise of the moment, the current dilemmas that you are experiencing.
The life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is expressed as a testament to what it means to persevere in the face of impossible odds. His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and love, even in the midst of chaos and violence, offers a guiding light for our times.
In a world increasingly marked by racial and economic divides, the principles of S.T.A.N.D. provide a powerful framework for individual and collective action. By drawing from Dr. King’s words and deeds, we can illuminate each letter of this acronym and explore what might be possible if we choose to S.T.A.N.D. together.
- S—STOP & LISTEN; Stop defending or running away. Anchor yourself in the timeless NOW. Find a place to PAUSE. Simply stop, and listen. Dr. King’s ability to stop and ground himself in his faith and purpose is a powerful example. In his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” he wrote, “Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be co-workers with God.” King’s decision to stop and write that letter amidst the chaos of his imprisonment demonstrated his commitment to pausing and grounding himself in truth.
ASK YOURSELF: What is the truth about me | about who I am | that matters—that is unshakable when I stand? What hill do you choose to live and die on? On my deathbed will I be sad, mad, or will it even matter?
- T—TEND TO YOUR DESIRES: Attend to (lovingly embrace) the self-fulfilling desires of your heart. This requires courage. Don’t be ashamed, or feel guilty in your approach to them, allow them to move you. Stay tethered to the sensations in your body and use them as guides. Your energetic body is erotic, creative and curious. It remembers your desires. Dr. King’s dream of a just and equitable society was born from a profound connection to his heart’s desires. His “I Have a Dream” speech embodies this principle, as he articulated a vision rooted in love, equality, and human dignity. Tending involves lovingly embracing our deepest desires and staying connected to the sensations and truths within us. Dr. King’s dream of a just and equitable society was born from a profound connection to his heart’s desires.
ASK YOURSELF: What am I curious about | desiring of | need to experience | hope for, that makes living worthwhile | without which life would not be worthwhile?
- A—ACCEPT | APPRECIATE THE LIGHT of “what is.” Resist nothing (accept) and see (appreciate) the Light in you and in your world that is unfolding amidst the chaos and dilemmas in yourself and in others. Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence exemplified this principle. He often spoke of the need to accept the reality of injustice without succumbing to hatred or despair. In his words, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” To accept what is also means recognizing the dignity in others, even those with whom we disagree. This practice invites us to engage with the world not from a place of fear or resistance, but from a profound acknowledgment of our shared journey.
ASK YOURSELF: Can I choose to accept and nurture what is? What am I creating that no one else can see in the way that I do? Are you willing to choose to be that possibility, though it might not be realized in your lifetime?
- N— NEW CONNECTIONS. Make new connections / re-new connections with others based on this shared Light. Connect to the Light in others by each giving and receiving gifts, generously and apologetically. Dr. King’s work was fundamentally about building new connections. He understood that the fight for justice required a coalition of people united by shared humanity. In his “Beyond Vietnam” speech, he said, “We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality.” King’s leadership in the Civil Rights Movement brought together people from diverse backgrounds, united by the belief in equality and freedom.
ASK YOURSELF: Who are the folks who are in flow with me? Who are the people who make my life worth living? Who are the people who I need now, and the ones I need now like flowers need the sun? Am I willing to risk feeling the fear of — irrelevance, uncertainty, rejection, abandonment and yet to keep giving.
Finally….
- D—DECLARE IT & BUILD IT Declare a powerful VISION | INTENTION | GOAL to build a community that values each other's gifts and that makes a difference for everyone! Such a declaration harnesses the creative power of intention. Dr. King’s life was a testament to the transformative power of declaring a dream and working tirelessly to build a movement. His leadership in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the Selma to Montgomery marches were all declarations of his unwavering commitment to justice and equality.
ASK YOURSELF: Where is my community? What is the invaluable role that I and each member of my community play that cannot be replaced? What are the shared declarations that are being exchanged with your community.
Imagine that when you do this for yourself, you can offer a safe space for others to S.T.A.N.D. and care for themselves. More and more our world needs this now.
What might be possible if we all chose to S.T.A.N.D. in this way? The answer lies in the transformative potential of collective action. By stopping to reflect, tending to our deepest desires, accepting and appreciating what is, building new connections, and declaring and building a shared vision, we can create a world that honors the dignity and potential of every individual.
Dr. King’s legacy reminds us that standing in the face of impossible odds is not only possible but necessary. He stood for justice when the odds seemed insurmountable. He stood for love when hatred was pervasive. He stood for hope when despair seemed inevitable. If we, too, choose to S.T.A.N.D., we can honor his legacy and contribute to a future marked by justice, equality, and love.
As we commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day, let us remember that his dream is not merely a memory but a call to action. The framework of S.T.A.N.D. offers a roadmap for navigating the challenges of our time and moving us all forward. Together, we can build a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, and where love and justice prevail.
