Life Coaching with MLK

What? You didn’t know Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a life coach? Of course he was! You don’t believe me? Well, let me share with you a partial transcript of one of my coaching sessions with him.

Tonya: Dr. K, you know last year was tough for me on a mind, body, and spirit level. I felt battered and torn. I went through every emotion imaginable. I have to admit that at times, I almost lost myself, and said and did some things my mama wouldn’t be proud of.

Coach MLK: That old law about 'an eye for an eye' leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing…Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.

Tonya: But it’s hard to think of being loving when others’ actions feel more hateful than loving.

Coach MLK: Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Tonya: I hear you. It sounds good—doesn’t make it easy to do.

Coach MLK: I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.

Tonya: Thankfully, I’ve never been full of hate—that’s not how I’m made. But I must admit, there are times when I do taste the dregs of bitterness.

Coach MLK: Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness...Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals...Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.

Tonya: Sage wisdom indeed. As I continue my healing journey, I will be mindful of any rising bitterness and insure it doesn’t escalate into aggression in any form. Regular releasing, prayer, meditation, conscious breathwork, supportive friends and family, and being grateful all help with that. Not to mention a good old dose of laughter…

Coach MLK:  We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

Tonya: Mmm, yes, that makes so much sense! Because I believe we all are one, if I hate my enemy, in essence, I hate some aspect of myself. When I am tempted to consider forgiving someone else, I first need to look at that within myself that needs forgiving.

Coach MLK:  Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.

Tonya: It goes further than “I am my brother’s keeper.” This tells me I AM my brother—and sister. No matter if the person is not acting very brotherly or sisterly toward me.

Coach MLK: Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.

Tonya: Then love I will—myself, and all of creation, including those who consider themselves my enemies—they’re just really my “inner-me’s.” And what opportunities they always bring up for deep healing!

Coach MLK:  The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Tonya: In that case, I am grateful that I have been through the fire when it comes to challenge and controversy, and come out of it standing whole. I may not have determined all of the lessons learned, or the full path of where it’s all eventually leading me, but I’m just trusting that I am exactly where I need to be, and that I’m fully supported in the process.

Coach MLK:Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.

Tonya: Amen, and ase! Walking in faith is what I will continue to do, one step at a time. Thank you so much for sharing your divine wisdom.

Dearest Martin--peace and blessings to you in the land of the ancestors—and by the way—Namaste’ on your birthday!