Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only federal holiday that marks the contributions of a private American citizen.
Many government agencies and private businesses remain closed on this day in remembrance of Dr. King. His philosophy of nonviolence and use of peaceful demonstrations changed minds, changed laws and changed hearts.
One of the hallmarks of his message is the attitude of forgiveness.
Dr. King said, “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us.”
He also said, “Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude.”
Forgiveness is an act of kindness and wisdom that we can apply every day.