"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." ~ MLK

On this Martin Luther King day, let us do more than reflect and celebrate a visionary’s legacy. Let us become visionaries. Let us become change makers. Let us rub the sleep out of our eyes and get out of bed with a new hope. Let us live our dreams in full capacity.

How? Start with a mission statement. Describe your personal mission. What is the fire in your belly that drives you? What gives you meaning? What are your values?

Then, create a vision statement. What is your vision for the world? If others were to jump in your head and look out your yes, what would you want them to see?

Define the problem(s) that make you cringe. Meet the stakeholders and listen to their viewpoints.

Create an action plan. Be as detailed and specific as you can. Draft and redraft. Break it down to include even the smallest steps. Grab a calendar and set deadlines.

Read books and surround yourself with motivating mentors. Here are some good titles to add to your library list: Stick Out Your Neck: A Street-Smart Guide to Creating Change in Your Community and Beyond; The Art of Framing: Managing the Language of Leadership; The Dragonfly Effect: Quick, Effective Ways to use Social Media to Drive Social Change; The Leadership Challenge; and How to Re-Imagine the World: A Pocket Guide for Practical Visionaries.

Example:

My Mission Statement

• To educate and empower my fellow citizens (particularly women and girls) towards positive change in our local community of San Jose, CA.

I think my love for life and trust in others can be harvested in a community campaign or movement. Using my passion for compassion, I want to make a difference in a particular community that is disadvantaged or oppressed in some way. I want to do this from the bottom-up.

• To let my sensitivity be an asset, not a weakness and to show compassion towards others, in hope that others will follow this model.

I have a strong belief in the interdependence of all living things. I realize that I am drawn to the emotions and lives of all the people I meet. I have a desire to reach out and offer help. I trust others very easily. This has not always ended in a positive way. Some people have told me that I need to protect myself and be cautious. I find this difficult to do because I believe we are innately involved and entangled in each other’s lives and well-being. Humanity is a beautiful web.

I am not ashamed to show compassion. I don’t understand why some people shy away from it. I admit that I am quick to shed a tear whenever I hear someone’s story. The fire in my belly rumbles and I begin to melt. I get very concerned and I hate feeling helpless. I want to act. If I can’t act, for some reason, then I feel very guilty.

I can be very gullible and naieve. I don’t take sarcasm well. I often take things too personally. I am working on this. I am open to criticism, but I do much better if it is delivered respectfully. I tend to shut down when I hear hateful comments presented in angry tones. I often avoid conflict and debate. I wish I was braver to face and befriend my enemies. I want to say that I’m a tough cookie, but I’m more delicate than that. I’m just not there yet.

I enjoy the company of close friends and often take the nurturing role. I even get urges to offer strangers a ride in my car, a hug, or a cup of coffee. I prefer to host, cook, give and take care of things for my friends and family. Even if I’ve been burned, I am quick to forgive. (Perhaps, too quick in some cases?) I find true pleasure in crafting personal letters, handmaking gifts, exchanging hugs and laughing. Even at my own wedding or on my birthday, I strive to make sure others are happy. I don’t really like feeling this way, but for some innate reason, I always do.

My Vision Statement

• San Jose is a great place to live. However, since the city is so big and spread out many resources are difficult and services are not always accessible to the communities that need them. Instead of this current fragmented culture, I envision:

Shelters and community centers united. There is a multi-lingual resource directory that is shared and widely distributed. A co-op house, hosts free events, workshops, and a vibrant reuse market. Zero-waste potlucks are held every month with hosted discussion on topics such as health and sexuality. Each March a rally and celebration occur on the streets to honor International Women’s Day (March 8) and Women’s History Month. Women and girls living in San Jose feel safe, empowered, and supported. They vote, organize and participate in city council meetings demanding better schools, gardens, parks, equal pay, and reproductive justice.