"I Still Believe Love is the Most Durable Power in the World."

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and I am not out volunteering! That seems so strange... especially after 2-3 years of it being my job to get others to volunteer on this day. My consolation- I spent yesterday afternoon with my mentee and the next few weekends, I'll honor his legacy by getting others to volunteer. So don't judge me. :)

Anyway, my favorite MLK quote comes from one of his sermons, The Most Durable Power. It's been awhile since I last read it, but the quote was "I still believe love is the most durable power in the world." How simple, reassuring and yet, heartbreaking when you imagine the world that he lived in.

Love.

I can think of all the ways I want love to take over my life, but first and foremost, it starts with me. I tolerate myself. How pitiful but it's true. I tolerate my looks, my body, my job, my social life, and when I lived in Durham, my surroundings. I didn't love any of it. There were parts of my life that I enjoyed, but full out love.. that power was only designated to my immediate family.

This year I am committing to discovering and opening myself up to the possibilities. I made my first ever vision board (thanks to Beth) with my little sis last night. It doesn't depict everything I envision for myself this year, but it describes what is most important: my health, my finances and embracing the unknown. This year, I envision loving my body: my hair, my eyes, my lack of a neck, my scars, my fat fingers.. everything. I envision being financially stable before I graduate! I'm going to try and not put a picture on the unknown... I know what I would like, but I've known that for years. Obviously, I was doing something wrong. So I'll try something new.

So here's my vision board! And a few of my favorite clippings read as follows:

• Reaching Goals: whatever your health goal, there's a good chance drinking more water will help you achieve it.
• You in Shape Success Story: I Get a Rush from Running!
• I Use it to Remove Doubt.
• Pay it Forward.
• Share Your Story of who you are... and everything you are going to be.
• It's Your Choice. Embrace It.
• Commit, Always Commit.
• Mission: Education First! Critical
• It's in our nature to be Strong & Balanced.
• History Made its Mark. Make Yours.