Or, is this not about helping those who are given the option to transcend circumstance, but refuse?~Jonathan Fields

We are always imparting our energy and spirit with those we encounter. We are also aware of, and effected by their energy. Positive results nurture us, but a lack thereof can not cause us to lose hope, or doubt the interrelatedness of everything, or doubt our impact on.

I am, “what I ought to be” in this moment, and I will be in the next. You are what you “ought to be” now. We must discard narrow views of success. ~Renee

Many of your commenters have some wise insights along the same lines as my comment. While you are making an interesting point about interpersonal dynamics and the effect it has on ourselves, and ultimately, the world, MLK was not an individualist trying to find his personal way.

MLK was a courageous black man standing up and saying, “Dammit! As hard as I try … as hard as all the black Americans try … we cannot be fully ourselves until you stop being racist. Until you stop implementing racist, oppressive, segregating policies.”

Putting words into MLK’s mouth: As long as the white power structure refuses to change, regardless of how famous & successful one black man may become, he will still be less than what he can fully be. And, I think, we have seen this clearly in the election of Obama. I cried for joy, and I cried in frustration & pain – clearly we were celebrating the election & success of the “first black President of the USA” & how horrible, awful, that we are this many years beyond MLK’s famous speeches before it has happened! How uncomfortable that it is still something to be noticed & celebrated as a triumph of equality.

And, I’m still celebrating. Whatever it takes, and however long it takes, I will work to become the person who does not stand in the way of any other person achieving their full potential.

“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never reach my fullest potential unless you choose to reach yours. This is the interrelated structure of reality.”

I guess in answer to your questions, Jonathan, well, that’s the game here. You can also choose to transcend to a reality where you are already complete, if you prefer.

In any case, here’s a quote which has helped me hang on through some of the tougher times when the behavior or judgments of others, or my own need to please them disappointed me:

“I long ago made the decision that in every area of life, I will choose the path of least resistance in this, that I will please at least myself in all things.”
- Cyrano de Bergerac

Dr. King was talking to the issue of people who were suppressed (or oppressed) by others, what you are talking to is the issue of people who suppress (or oppress) themselves.

Comes back to Dr. King’s desire that people be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. He was not expressing a desire that people not be judged, he was expressing a desire on how the judgement was rendered.

Michael

To: Jonathan Fields

I like what you said Jonathan about oute of MLK When he said and I Repeated Quote again from all the Rest what ever affects one Directly affect all Indirectly I can never be what I ought to be untill you be what you ought to be this is the Interelated structure of reality what western society spiritual Disease is separation from the whole on account of race and class distinction a nationality this nation got a habit of saying to Indigenous people all over the world by saying then people you people and those people making a separation distinction of separation when it come don to people of different nationality and race that what MLK was trying to say when he means in a form of Oppression in his time back in the 50′s and 60′s western society still got this spiritual disease today that plague this society our problen is not economically but how we treat our fellow man and exploit and use people like toool and fool and number like what corporate america do is a nothe r form of corporate greed like what the medical field thinks about the health care and the pharmaceutical Medicine of this country verses Wholistic Healing it is profit before Health and the Medicine is as High as Hell and the doctor Bills also and the cost of living that goes along with it too I just brought this out to say we got to straighten up or ship out with this Globalism to communicate with different people of othe nationality and race and stop putting every body in race cast and nationality cast systen what the founding fathere of this nation have done for the past 400 years since they have rule this nation I am not advocating a hate doctrine but a Spiritual Humanity healing doctrine the point I am trying to make here is if we don’t get along together then we will end up destroying humanity as a Whole with the Atomic or Nucleur Bomb what I am saying is western society as a whole got to straighten up itst act under capitalism of Exploitation of Greed for Economic Gain and Destroying the Enviroment as a Whole for Economic gain the use and abuse of Humanity and the Enviroment as a whole if you are a Human Being I do not care what nationality you are nor race or Ethnic color a Brother or sister got to treat you like a brother before I call hime my Brother well Hell I do not like some of my own people of Indigenous Color that treat me like dirt and some time a White man or other people of othe nationality could treat me better then my own Indigenous people of color so I say its is a Spiritual Disease we have not a Religious Disease that put humanity in a box by ruling class dictate of morally we got a Beautiful Civilization Materialy but spiritually we are a Dead Horse

Yours Truly and Sincerely
Noble: & Mystic Sage
Nanya: K, Bahiya-El-Bey

My interpretation of Martin Luther Kings words, is more from a global perspective…

If we do not look at the lowest group consiousness of the planet we will never really be able to make global strides. It is great that there are so many incredible positive raaa raaa reee bloggers, and motivational speakers etc…but until we are able to address and overcome the horrors that currently grip our planet, like drugs and human trafficking, and abusing our planets natural resources etc…We are always at the mercy of the lowest consciousness. The perpetrators of these atrocities.

I see the consiousness of the planet like pressure cells. There might be a whole lot of good vibes in some areas of the world, and destructive vibes in other areas. They are not isolated. We cannot box off horror and live in our perfect worlds. The negativity diffuses the positivity. But the good news is the positivity diffuses the negativity. So as long as the consciousness of the planet is moving toward the positive – and with people like you in it, I can see that it is happening, we will eventually be able to lift the lowest. And it does not need to be directly.

THIS is what I have learned: People are helped and inspired most when I am being the very best I can be – often when I am NOT TRYING to help or inspire them. If you are radiating joy and confidence and trust and ability, that is the greatest gift you can give anyone who encounters you.

When I am really TRYING to help – I end up either enabling them OR pouring MY energy into something THEY are not ready to deal with yet. Either way I am robbing them of the opportunity to really explore what they are experiencing and to discover what THEY want to do about it and what THEY have inside THEMSELVES to meet their own challenges.

In many cases my “assistance” put rocket boosters on a vehicle that either had the brakes on full, or was rusted in place. The end result was not movement, but a sense of failure or frustration in the person I was trying to help. Often that frustration caused them to lash out at me.

We cannot ever KNOW what another soul needs to learn or experience.

If you lend a hand when you are truly moved to do so out of love or as an extension of your own joy in living, that is a wonderful thing. But it sounds like in some cases it has become a burden for you.

Some people – even those who seem to us to be suffering or unfulfilled – will never “budge.” That is their choice, and allowing them that choice is a gesture of love and respect.

I have a dear friend who tells me (when I need to hear it) that all I can do is to serve the ball over the net. If the other person does not volley it back then there is nothing else for me to do in that situation.

My friend is teaching me by example to ALLOW other people to be and do exactly as they will. He does not allow either their actions or their inaction to hold him back. He does what is most fulfilling to him. AND he’s always willing to generously extend a hand IF they ask for it.

Some people simply don’t change — and others blossom because he ALLOWS them to do so in THEIR own way and in THEIR own time. I hope some day to experience the peace he radiates.