Tomorow is Humanitarian Day
Humanitarian Day is a holiday that honors the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by promoting unity, remembrance, and respect. Here are a few ways you might wish to celebrate.
Light a candle in your home for all of the freedom fighters who have passed on—Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Miep Gies, Mother Theresa, Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, Gandhi—any of your heroes who have fought for freedom. You could also light one for all of the victims who have suffered and died due to slavery, sexual slavery, and violence both in the past as well as those who suffer today.
Vow to be a humanitarian. Talk about what it means to be one with your family. Decide together how you’ll do this—by volunteering, spreading a message of peace, acceptance, and love, traveling to other areas to volunteer as well as expand your global awareness, etc.
Help those in need without judgment. Tell those who listen to Pat Robertson, the Westboro Baptist Church and other people who spread fear and hatred to stop and think about what’s being said—that we’re all sisters and brothers and we need to care for one another, not blame natural disasters on devil pacts or AIDS and death on people that “God hates.” Seriously, no matter your religion, if you think God laughs when someone dies, there is something wrong.
Take part in the humanitarian efforts for the earthquake victims in Haiti. Find out five ways you can do that here.
Be kind in thought, word, and deed. This can be hard to do, certainly—especially when you’re angry or facing a rival or enemy. But the more hate that harbors in your heart, the more it hurts you. Practice meditating, reciting a favorite inspirational quote, or thinking positive thoughts so you don’t respond to stressful situations with anger but with kindness.
Be like Brangelina. You don’t have to give $1 million to make a difference. Just be there. Take part in local efforts to make the world a better place. Give a bit of your time to someone in need. Adopt children if you can—if you can’t, maybe you could be a foster parent or a Big Brother/Sister or mentor. Whatever you do, if you do it with sincerity and kindness you’re sure to leave the world a little better than it was before you touched it.
