VMC

Revival of “the Dream” through Love…

Applied!
By Val McCleod

D r. Martin Luther King, Jr. calibrated the

ultimate measure of a man’s character is assessed by
where he stands when faced with challenge and
controversy.
With like distinction, the life and legacy of
Coretta Scott King established that the standard of
strength of a woman’s character is revealed by how
she stands in times of difficulty and devastation.
Resolute in loveliness, grace and poise
multiplied, Mrs. King epitomized that even in times of
immense pain there remains a wondrous ability to
maintain uncompromising dignity.
Fueled by faith, hope and applied love, she never
permitted her personal tragedy to deter the
fulfillment of her purpose. In so doing, she solidified
one of the principle tenets of her husband’s call to
collective consciousness: “All can be great, because all
can serve.” And a great servant she was. Faithfully,
she served her family and the advancement of social
justice throughout the world.
As we reflect upon the immeasurable impact of
their mutual and individual legacies, I am hopeful that
we will seek opportunities to revive their dream for
partnership, peace and parity. Our domestic and
global need to aggressively apply the power and force
of love has never been greater.
Our actions are the best reflections of what we
truly believe. Dr. and Mrs. King clearly believed in
love’s power to effect positive change. Through their
lifetime application of unconditional love, their
undaunted belief was actualized.
 VMC
With stones of sacrifice and personal suffering,
they deliberately and incrementally continued to
build the beloved community. The assignment is not
complete. Through peaceful and just methods; in our
homes, community, Country and throughout the
world, we must engineer and construct holistic
havens of harmony.
The mantle of love can be applied by all. Every
time we embrace, encourage and educate a child…the
dream lives. Anything we do to bring an end to world
poverty…the dream lives. Each time we cast (and
count) a vote…the dream lives. And every time, we
treat one another, as we desire to be treated the
dream lives and thrives!
There are three things that will forever endure;
faith ~ hope ~ love and the greatest of these three is
love….applied.

Val McCleod is an international, certified facilitator/trainer and practitioner of

Kingian Nonviolence. She is committed to the application of Dr, King’s
philosophy and teachings as tools to promote nonviolent conflict
reconciliation and world peace.

Live the Life you Love!