I Have a Dream

/ January 19, 2021

I Have a Dream

I Have a Dream

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.  ~ Dr. Martin Luther King

I dream of the day when we achieve Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream of living in a world where we treat each other with love as brothers and sisters, living in peace and harmony as a society.

Michael wrote a compelling post comparing our world to a den of cacophony with so many people rushing to be seen and heard, solve problems, and fix the world. His insights came in quite reflection when he was feeling at peace and one with the world. Michael’s conclusion is that the only true solution lies in beingness; to relax, be our true selves, and allow life to be life. In other words, there is nothing we need to do, but open our hearts, unify with the world, and allow life to unfold. I’m paraphrasing, but I agree with his conclusion. Individually and collectively, we are so busy solving problems, fixing things, improving ourselves, and chasing dreams and happiness that we rarely live or act from unity with the world.

For reference, here is Michael’s insightful reflection on life called Coming to Life.

I have been a peacenik ever since my teen years, instantly resonating with the messages of peace and love that filled much of our popular culture in the 1960s and 1970s. Dr. Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement sparked the imagination of many who wanted to live free, equal, and in peace. Gradually, the focus shifted to protesting the Vietnam War and the industrial complex and war machine. But none of those dreams ever quite materialized. In fact, we seem to have gone backwards, with wars, corporatocracy, division, inequity, and environmental damage all growing in the last 50 years.  

I may be a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. ~ John Lennon

For inspiration you might want to watch John Lennon’s Imagine video. 

Reading Michael’s post reminded me that we may need a spiritual solution instead of a material solution. We might need to lay down our arms (literal and figurative); our righteousness, goals, solutions, and other ideas based on separation. Instead, focus more on unifying with our hearts, spirit, and the world first. Then, with open hearts and minds, life can flow through us. And please remember, we don’t control the universe. But as humble servants, we might be able to help life transform and heal our world. Or maybe we don’t need to DO anything; simply BE in a state of love and unity, allowing life and nature to flow freely. 

For more tips on helping to bring about peace, here is a post I wrote called What the World Needs Now.

Peace, love, and hugs for all!

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48 thoughts on “I Have a Dream”

  4. Thank you for this Brad. Every time I hear a recording of Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech – I cry from the sheer beauty of it. It moves me beyond belief.
    The same applies for John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ recording. Think of the millions of lives these two people have changed using such powerful and yet such gentle words. Janet :)X

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  5. A beautiful post, Brad. It’s something worth contemplating. I think we have to do both actually, just a MLK did – believe in the innate goodness of people, believe that love would someday prevail, believe that all people are worthy of respect, dignity, and justice, while at the same time, recognize that sitting on our porches and being personally peaceful isn’t enough (unless, of course, everyone does it). King marched, spoke up, resisted, inspired, endured, and did so at great danger to himself, because just being and believing isn’t enough. Our resistance to societal inequities these days is full of outrage, but what if they were demonstrations of love? Like MLK.

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  6. An inspiring and profound post, Brad. Men like Martin Luther King are very few in our world today. He has taught us so much about how to love and be kind to each and everyone on this Planet. Many spiritual masters speak in his language. May all of our negativity get wiped off and we all work towards a selfless goal of Peace, Unity, being interconnected and Love that can conquer everything.

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  8. I have a dream – this is such a powerful beautiful set of words, and added to it is the power of a great person they come from. It has inspired all of us to keep dreaming big no matter what, kindness and love for all is dream worth dreaming as it would keep fueling our actions and intentions for the better.

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  9. Great post and I so remember the dreams of Martin Luther King and have had the same realization….look at the years that have passed and what really has changed?? Love conquers all and that is exactly what the world needs more of….Love!

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  12. Brad, a moving post and I’m close to tears listening to ‘Imagine’ demo – heavenly! One of my favourite songs as a teenager although I was only a baby when it was originally released! How true that we may need ‘a spiritual solution’ – in these overwhelming times posts like yours light the way for us, uplifting, giving hope … reading the comments only reinforce this feeling.

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  13. Well said, Brad, and thank you for sharing my own writing here on your blog. I greatly appreciate it. I, too, dream–or maybe we should say feel the truth of what is possible in my heart–of a world that works for all of us.

    One point I want to share to build on what I wrote is in reply to your exchange with Diana above. For me, the question of how we inhabit our world is not a question of action or inaction–but of the vantages to which we give credence that form the context of our moving and being and becoming. There are multiple levels or dimensions to our presence in the world, and while it’s true on a material level that “things are wrong” in the world, I think when that is the only dimension on which we’re working it becomes counterproductive because the weight of it closes us off from possibility. And when we bring in the spiritual dimensions of our being, and the conduit of love and life within us (our heart) is open, we approach challenges differently, with greater possibility for truly unifying expressions and actions in the world. So, for me, it’s important to stay in my heart and be more tentative to pass judgment on the moment and what it means and what others say it means, and to move from that place. In no way is it intended to suggest that the right answer for everyone is the same, or is to withdraw from the world, or anything like that.

    Peace
    Michael

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    • Thanks for your thoughtful reply and clarification Michael. I’m glad that my post has stirred questions and discussion. I like and agree with your summary ; “it’s important to keep our hearts open, resist passing judgment, and keep moving.” to open hearts, compassion, and loving action.

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  15. One certainly gets a sense that we have gone backwards, in some ways. But I also think your country and others have gone forward in some important ways, despite the cruelty of the last 4 years. Maybe the election of a man who isn’t afraid to show kindness, humility and empathy – the very opposite of his predecessor — will influence many in society to act according to their better instincts. Do you think? Eternal optimist here.

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  16. What a GORGEOUS post. We are all spiritual beings, and yet when in human form, we so often forget that our body is just a receptacle for that spirit. That the body doesn’t last long in the scheme of things. If we concentrated more on the Spirit, we’d have more energy to acknowledge, appreciate, and love the Spirit of all others. Color/race/creed would matter not a whit.
    I suppose that’s my dream, along with MLK’s and so many others. May our world become more spirit-recognized, and kindness and love will conquer hate and ignorance.

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