What are you doing for others?
Today I joined with nearly 1,000 Palm Beach County community leaders and local advocates to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Words alone cannot express the energy in the room. This passion was rooted not only in celebrating Dr. King’s legacy, but in the drive each and every one of us shared in carrying forward Dr. King’s mission of creating a more just, equal and fair society.
Dr. King asked it best:
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”
We each accomplish this goal in many different ways. All my life I have worked to help give an opportunity to the powerless, assistance to the downtrodden, and a voice to the voiceless.
In my experience, service comes in many shapes and forms. Whether as a father, encouraging my children to work hard and pursue their dreams; as a young lawyer, helping people overcome adversity so they can achieve their aspirations; in the community, volunteering with our non-profits and organizations to help others move forward; or as a City Commissioner, working to create a community of opportunity for all our residents – Dr. King’s message of service has been a foundation of my life’s work.
What my life has taught me is you don’t need to have a title to be of service. You don’t need to be an elected leader to make a difference in your community. People every day are helping others in their own families, communities and cities. Dr. King’s message of service rings true today, perhaps at a time when we need to hear it the most.
While today we honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it’s the challenge to answer his question not only today, but tomorrow and so forth, that will truly make a difference.
“What are you doing for others?” It’s a question that I have answered daily and one that will continue to be a foundation of my life’s work.
Yours in service,
Keith James
