“What are you doing for others?”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
Keeping the Dream Alive
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life.
It was 1956 and the Montgomery Bus Boycott had stretched into its second month. The atmosphere was tense. A bomb had just exploded on the front porch of Coretta Scott and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s home. Coretta held their infant daughter when the blast shattered windows, creating a moment that threatened to ignite something far more devastating—retribution.
As angry crowds gathered at the house, with some carrying guns, Dr. King faced a difficult choice. Many in the crowd wanted to fight back. But King chose a different path, giving this short impromptu speech:
“If you have weapons," he pleaded, "take them home; if you do not have them, please do not seek them. We cannot solve this problem through violence. We must meet violence with nonviolence." The crowd left peacefully after Dr. King assured them, "Go home and don't worry. We are not hurt, and remember, if anything happens to me there will be others to take my place.”
Perhaps more than any other moment, this one embodied the essence of MLK. In the face of hate and destruction, he didn't just preach nonviolence—he lived it.
While King delivered around 450 speeches a year, his power wasn’t really in his words—it was in his actions. Progress rarely comes in dramatic leaps. Sometimes, it comes in small steps, in quiet moments of choosing love over hate, in standing firm when everything within you wants to fight back. He knew that success often lies just beyond the point where most people give up.
While nonviolent, MLK’s dream wasn’t passive—it required action. As we honor and celebrate Dr. King’s legacy, let’s channel his example to keep the dream alive. What would MLK do?
He would face conflict with courage and compassion. When tensions rise, let’s choose the harder path of understanding over the easier path of retaliation.
He would keep moving forward. Progress isn’t always visible, but persistence in the face of setbacks defines great leadership.
He would take that first step. “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase,” King said. Oftentimes, it’s the start that’s hardest.
As we honor Dr. King’s memory, it’s important to remember his legacy isn’t just about remembering history—it’s about making it. What step will you take today to move his dream forward?
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
Connecting this quote to the story. Dr. King had an wavering commitment to act with courage and integrity, even in the face of violence and adversity. This inspired others to choose love and justice over retaliation.
Chasing Influence tip: Demonstrate leadership by acting on your values, not just talking about them.
If you enjoyed this story, a series of three Chasing Influence workbooks is available. Stories are accompanied by discussion questions and answers. Each workbook contains 33 lessons to use with any team.
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©Troy Urdahl, 2025