Daily Nourishment for January 15: Let Another World Be Born
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 45 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 15 minutes
“We have lived so long with this idea, of people saying it takes time, and wait on time…” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Pause.
Take six deep breaths with a six-count inhale and a six-count exhale, then read “Amos, 1963” and “For My People” by Margaret Walker. Then read the quote below by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr:
“We have lived so long with this idea, of people saying it takes time, and wait on time, that I find it very difficult to adjust to this. I mean, I get annoyed almost when I hear it, although I know it takes time. But the people that use this argument have been people so often who really didn’t want the change to come, and the gradualism for them meant a do-nothingism, you know, and a stand-stillism. So that it has been a revolt I think against the idea of a feeling on the part of some that you can just sit around and wait on time when actually time is neutral. It can be used either constructively or destructively.”
Here are two of the illustrations by Elizabeth Catlett. You can see all of the images from the rare book here.
Practice.
Take notes or journal in response to the quote above by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the poems by Margaret Walker, and/or reflect on how different genres and forms of art can explore themes of injustice and justice.
Want More?
Every Martin Luther King Day, the American Academy of Poets offers a poem to mark the occasion and these words may offer us our best sideways entry points into King's story. Birmingham, Alabama's Margaret Walker links King to the biblical prophet Amos in her poems Amos, 1963 and Amos ( Postscript ) 1968.” - from the California African American Museum’s website
*
The Flourish Anyway Creative Soul Series with Workshop Local (with online classes and in-person classes in Birmingham)
Class 1: Flourish Anyway with Wintry Rhythms, Rituals, & Retreats
Class 2: Flourish Anyway with a Sustainable Retreat Practice
Class 3: Flourish Anyway with Lessons from Iconic Birmingham Writers, Artists, & Musicians
Flourish Anyway with Rhythms, Rituals, & Retreats
Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
*Please help us protect our intellectual property, our creative process, and the integrity of our work. Spiritual Direction for Writers® Daily Nourishment is covered under the Spiritual Direction for Writers® trademark. You are welcome to share this link with others, but any other use (written or spoken) is prohibited without written permission from Charlotte Donlon.