Celebrate MLK Day as "A Day on, Not a Day Off"
On Monday the country celebrates the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. Although King was actually born on January 15, 1929, his birthday is celebrated annually on the third Monday of January as a federal holiday.
Increasingly private organizations are observing that day as a holiday for its employees. Even some healthcare companies are joining the observation.
If you are one of those individuals lucky enough not to be working, the tendency might be to kick back at home and just "veg out." As hard as you work, that might seem pretty reasonable.
However the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is advocating that the day be observed as a day of service in the tradition of King's own philosophy. They recommend that it be "a day ON, not a day off."
To find opportunities to volunteer in your own community, visit the mlk.gov website. Not only will you feel much better than just sitting around, but you have the added opportunity to network and educate. At volunteer events you are always asked what you do for a living, where do you work, or what organization you represent. Well, just pull out your elevator speech.
This might well turn out to be a PR opportunity. Who says you cant do two things at once or use an altruistic event to educate? Never pass up an opportunity to do good as you do well. Wherever you will be tomorrow, I wish you a happy MLK, Jr. Day.