my life blueprint essay

Martin Luther King Jr. : "What Is Your Life's Blueprint?"

Speech Transcript From Martin Luther King Jr's Blueprint Speech

I want to ask you a question, and that is: what is in your life’s Blueprint?

This is the most important and crucial period of your lives. For what you do now and what you decide now at this age may well determine which way your life shall go.

And whenever a building is constructed, you usually have an architect who draws a blueprint. And that blueprint serves as the pattern, as the guide, as the model, for those who are to build the building. And a building is not well erected without a good, sound, and solid blueprint.

Now each of you is in the process of building the structure of your lives, and the question is: whether you have a proper, a solid, and a sound blueprint.

And I want to suggest some of the things that should be in your life’s blueprint.

Number 1: Principal of Somebodiness Number one in your life’s blueprint should be: a deep belief in your own dignity, your own worth and your own somebodies. Don’t allow anybody to make you feel that you are nobody. Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance.

Now that means you should not be ashamed of your color. You know, it’s very unfortunate that in so many instances, our society has placed a stigma on the Negro’s color. You know there are some Negros who are ashamed of themselves? Don’t be ashamed of your color. Don’t be ashamed of your biological features.

Somehow you must be able to say in your own lives, and really believe it, “I Am Black But Beautiful!” and believe that in your heart. And therefore you need not be lured into purchasing cosmetics advertised to make you lighter, neither do you need to process your hair to make it appear straight. I have good hair and it is as good as anybody else’s in the world. And we’ve got to believe that.

Now in your life’s blueprint, be sure that you have a principle of somebodiness.

Number 1: Principal of Somebodiness

Number one in your life’s blueprint should be: a deep belief in your own dignity, your own worth and your own somebodies. Don’t allow anybody to make you feel that you are nobody. Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance.

Number 2: Principal of Somebodiness

Secondly, in your life’s blueprint you must have as the basic principle the determination to achieve excellence in your various fields of endeavor. You’re going to be deciding as the days and the years unfold, what you will do in life — what your life’s work will be.

And once you discover what it will be, set out to do it, and to do it well.

And I say to you, my young friends, that doors are opening to each of you — doors of opportunity are opening to each of you that were not open to your mothers and your fathers — and the great challenge facing you is to be ready to enter these doors as they open.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, the great essayist, said in a lecture back in 1871 that, “If a man can write a better book or preach a better sermon or make a better mousetrap than his neighbor, even if he builds his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door.”

This hadn’t always been true — but it will become increasingly true. And so I would urge you to study hard, to burn the midnight oil. I would say to you, don’t drop out of school. And I understand all of the sociological reasons why we often drop out of school.

But I urge you in spite of your economic plight, in spite of the situation that you are forced to live so often with intolerable conditions, stay in school.

And when you discover what you’re going to be in life, set out to do it as if God Almighty called you at this particular moment in history to do it. And just don’t set out to do a good Negro job but do a good job that anybody could do.

Don’t set out to be just a good Negro doctor, a good Negro lawyer, a good Negro school teacher, a good Negro preacher, a good Negro barber, a beautician, a good Negro skilled laborer… for if you set out to do that, you have already flunked your matriculation exam for entrance into the University of Integration.

Set out to do a good job and do that job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn couldn’t do it any better.

If it falls to your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures. Sweep streets like Beethoven composed music. Sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera, and sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say, “Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.”

" If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill,

Be a scrub in the valley but –

be the best little scrub on the side of the hill.

Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.

If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail.

If you can’t be the sun, be a star,

For it isn’t by size that you win or you fail.

Be the best of whatever you are."

We always, we already have some noble examples of Black men and Black women who demonstrated to us that human nature cannot be catalogued. They in their own lives have walked through long and desolate nights of oppression, and yet they’ve risen up and plunged against cloud-filled nights of affliction, new and blazing stars of inspiration.

And so from an old slave cabin of Virginia’s hills, Booker T Washington rose up to be one of America’s great leaders. He lit a torch in Alabama and darkness fled in that setting.

Yes, you should know this because it’s in your own city. From a poverty-stricken area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Marian Anderson rose up to be the world’s greatest contralto so that a Toscanini could say that a voice like this comes only once in a century, and Sibelius of Finland could say my roof is too low for such a voice.

From the Red Hills of Gordon County, Georgia and the arms of a mother who could neither read nor write, Roland Hayes rose up to be one of the world’s great singers and carried his melodious voice into the palaces and mansions of kings and queens.

From crippling circumstances, there came a George Washington Carver to carve for himself an imperishable niche in the annals of science. There was a star in the diplomatic sky, and then came Ralph Bunche, the grandson of a slave preacher, and he reached up and grabbed it and allowed it to shine in his life with all of its scintillating beauty. There was a star in the athletic sky.

And then came Jackie Robinson in his day and Willie Mays in his day with their powerful bats and their calm spirits. Then came Jesse Owens with his fleet and dashing feet. Then came Joe Lewis and Muhammad Ali with their [adjudicated] fists.

All of them came to tell us that we can be somebody and to justify the conviction of the poet:

"Fleecy locks, and black complexion

Cannot forfeit nature’s claim.

Skin may differ, but affection

Dwells in black and white the same.

And if I were so tall as to reach the pole,

And to grasp the ocean at a span,

I must be measured by my soul.

The mind is a standard of the man."

Number 3: Commitment to the Eternal Principles

And finally, in your life’s blueprint must be a commitment to the eternal principles of beauty, love, and justice. Don’t allow anybody to pull you so low as to make you hate them.

Don’t allow anybody to cause you to lose your self-respect to the point that you do not struggle for justice. However young you are, you have a responsibility to seek to make your nation a better nation in which to live.

You have a responsibility to seek to make life better for everybody. And so you must be involved in the struggle for freedom and justice.

Now in this struggle for freedom and justice, there are many constructive things that we all can do and that we all must do. And we must not give ourselves to those things which will not solve our problems.

You’ve heard the word “nonviolent” and you’ve heard the word “violent.” I happen to believe in nonviolence. We’ve struggled with this method with young people and adults alike all over the south. And we have won some significant victories. And we’ve got to struggle with it all over the north because the problems are as serious in the north as they are in the south.

But I believe as we struggle with these problems, we’ve got to struggle with them with a method that can be militant but at the same time does not destroy life or property.

And so our slogan must not be “Burn, baby, burn,” it must be “Build, baby, build.” Organize, baby, organize.

Yes, our slogan must be “Learn, baby, learn” so that we can earn, baby, earn.

And with a powerful commitment, I believe that we can transform dark yesterdays of injustice into bright tomorrows of justice and humanity. Let us keep going toward the goal of selfhood, toward the realization of the dream of brotherhood, and toward the realization of the dream of understanding and goodwill. Let nobody stop us.

I close by quoting once more the man that the young lady quoted, that magnificent black bard who is now passed on, Langston Hughes. One day, he wrote a poem entitled, “Mother to Son.” The mother didn’t always have her grammar right, but she uttered words of great symbolic profundity.

Well, son, I’ll tell you:

Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

It’s had tacks in it,

And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor —

But all the time

I’se been a-climbin’ on,

And reachin’ landin’s,

And turnin’ corners,

And sometimes goin’ in the dark

Where there ain’t been no light.

So boy, don’t you turn back.

Don’t you set down on the steps

‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.

Don’t you fall now —

For I’se still goin’, honey,

I’se still climbin’,

And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

Well, life for none of us has been a crystal stair. But we must keep moving. We must keep going.

If you can’t fly, run.

If you can’t run, walk.

If you can’t walk, crawl,

but by all means, keep moving!

Speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Daniel Karim

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Superscript

What Is Your Life’s Blueprint?

Six months before he was assassinated, King spoke to a group of students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia on October 26, 1967.

I want to ask you a question, and that is: What is your life’s blueprint?

Whenever a building is constructed, you usually have an architect who draws a blueprint, and that blueprint serves as the pattern, as the guide, and a building is not well erected without a good, solid blueprint.

Now each of you is in the process of building the structure of your lives, and the question is whether you have a proper, a solid and a sound blueprint.

I want to suggest some of the things that should begin your life’s blueprint. Number one in your life’s blueprint, should be a deep belief in your own dignity, your worth and your own somebodiness. Don’t allow anybody to make you fell that you’re nobody. Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance.

Secondly, in your life’s blueprint you must have as the basic principle the determination to achieve excellence in your various fields of endeavor. You’re going to be deciding as the days, as the years unfold what you will do in life — what your life’s work will be. Set out to do it well.

And I say to you, my young friends, doors are opening to you–doors of opportunities that were not open to your mothers and your fathers — and the great challenge facing you is to be ready to face these doors as they open.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, the great essayist, said in a lecture in 1871, “If a man can write a better book or preach a better sermon or make a better mousetrap than his neighbor, even if he builds his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door.”

This hasn’t always been true — but it will become increasingly true, and so I would urge you to study hard, to burn the midnight oil; I would say to you, don’t drop out of school. I understand all the sociological reasons, but I urge you that in spite of your economic plight, in spite of the situation that you’re forced to live in — stay in school.

And when you discover what you will be in your life, set out to do it as if God Almighty called you at this particular moment in history to do it. don’t just set out to do a good job. Set out to do such a good job that the living, the dead or the unborn couldn’t do it any better.

If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well. If you can’t be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley. Be be the best little shrub on the side of the hill.

Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.

— From the estate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Intisar Khanani

What Is Your Life’s Blueprint? – Reflections on MLK Jr’s Speech

Stop and Think · January 16, 2017

As we pause to reflect on the awesome legacy of Martin Luther King Jr, and the work that remains to us, I find myself going back to one of the reverend’s less well-known speeches. Most of us have read or watched or even studied his “I Have A Dream” speech, and it is fantastic and inspirational, and rhetorically brilliant. But I find Mr. King’s speech, given to an assembly of junior high school students six months before his assassination, the one that helps me most in looking forward and thinking about where I want to go, and how.

In this speech, Mr. King asks his audience, and all of us the simple question, “What Is Your Life’s Blueprint?” He asks us to reflect on our plan for our lives, and gives us some pointers to begin building our blueprint. And even though I’m closer to forty than to fourteen, I think these pointers are just as valid and valuable as they are to a young person setting out to build their adult life.

Mr. King makes two simple but important points to begin with. He says:

“Number one in your life’s blueprint, should be  a deep belief in your own dignity, your worth and your own somebodiness …”

“Secondly, in your life’s blueprint you must have as the basic principle the determination to achieve excellence in your various fields of endeavor. “

(He expands on both points, and I highly recommend you watch the video or read the full (short) transcript linked up below!)

This year is going to be a difficult one. So much of the work that has been achieved in the previous decades seems to be coming unraveled. There’s nothing new about this. It’s the story of history, even if we seem to have somehow hit the fast forward button on things. What’s new is that it’s happening to us this time, and not our parents, our grandparents, or seven-times-over ancestor. And that means it falls to us stand up, to speak out, and to work for ourselves, for those around us, for all of humanity. It’s  our responsibility, and each of us must shoulder it.

But here’s what I love about Mr. King’s speech: he asks us to find what we will do with our lives, and then set out to excel in it, with full faith in ourselves. Not all of us can take to the streets in protest, however much we may wish we could. Not all of us can speak coherently and thoughtfully on TV, pushing viewers to question their prejudices and rethink their stances. But we all have something that is our calling, if you will. Something that is what we have chosen to do with our lives. And those skills, those abilities, can uphold us, can be used to make us allies to communities that are coming under fire.

For me, that calling is writing.  And while I’ve made various resolutions regarding what I want to do with my writing this year, I’m also committing to write the stories I have in me that most need to be told right now. I am committing to use my skills as a storyteller and wordsmith to speak truth to power, to build empathy and compassion, to help us find the humanity in each other and treat each other with dignity. To recognize the value and “somebodiness” of every single person around us. And to do my best by my writing–to endeavor for excellence, for the sake of the stories I have to tell, and the readers who will pick them up.

So here is my challenge to you: Take the next days and weeks to think about your own blueprint. Find those things you are doing or are a part of you–not just your day job (whether that’s in an office or a classroom), but your skills and strengths. And then think about how you will use them going forward, and make that commitment to excellence, whatever it may look like to you.

And now I leave you with this footage of Mr. King delivering his speech. If you prefer, you can also  read a somewhat pared down transcript here.  (I couldn’t find a full transcript to link up.)

Be well, be strong, be true.

Reader Interactions

January 16, 2017 at 1:24 pm

I have been dreading this week for months. Your words both inspire me and act as a balm. Thank you.

January 16, 2017 at 3:44 pm

You are welcome. And I understand your feelings completely–writing this post was really helpful for me too. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, like there are so many fires to fight and we are each only one person. But I do think if we each focus on our unique skills, and strive to do the best we can with them, then those fires will eventually be put out. This does rely on others doing their part, and that’s okay. We can’t each fight every fire. So we don’t kill ourselves trying. We do what we can, and support each other, and believe that together it will be okay. And we never stop working. 🙂

January 16, 2017 at 2:07 pm

Excuse me while I tear up. This is such a beautiful post. So inspiring!

My love to you, Alina! And thank you.

January 16, 2017 at 10:06 pm

So sorry, Elizabeth! I missed the notification about your comment until now. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. And yes! I do think that together we can make a change, if we are willing to stand together and each push ourselves to make our own contribution.

July 3, 2018 at 5:49 pm

Thank you so much for the post. It’s so inspiring for real and we appreciate you. Keep with that gift from God to teach us, mould us and instill those moral values. Thank you !!!

June 30, 2017 at 12:29 pm

AMAZING WORDS!

June 30, 2017 at 3:53 pm

It truly is an amazing speech isn’t it? Insightful and full of compassion. Thank you for stopping by!

January 15, 2018 at 7:06 pm

wow this had a grave impact on me

January 15, 2018 at 10:38 pm

Me as well – it’s such a powerful speech and the principles, as simple as they are, are also so profound. Wishing you all my best!

February 16, 2019 at 11:23 am

The late rev Dr Martin Luther King jr. Was the black Moses what is 21st century. He not only touched the minds of people of color, but he touched the hearts and minds and Souls of people every race Creed and color throughout the world. He was a leader of leaders insincere what you said he poured out his sincerity upon others whoever will receive. And I am one of them thank God for men like dr. Martin Luther King jr. .

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What is Your Life’s Blueprint? -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Shortly after my youngest son turned two years old, I began to contemplate on the trajectory of my life. I love being a wife and mother, for they are two of the most fundamentally pivotal roles in life. I simply felt lack of success in personal endeavors.

I coincidentally stumbled across a YouTube video that contained footage of Martin Luther King, Jr. giving a speech to a group of students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia on October 26, 1967, six months before his assassination. The title was, “What is Your Life’s Blueprint?” From a young age, Martin Luther King, Jr. has consistently been an enormous inspiration, but I was not familiar with this particular speech.

I will never forget the way his diction, tone, presence and metaphors pierced my soul. Words are powerful weapons that Mr. King eloquently utilized to influence and uplift. His words contain imagery and analogies that transmit knowledge, humanity plus wisdom. Most importantly, he was a man of God and used his light to transcend justice. The words in this speech, encouraged me, further directing my steps toward my new path. I feel worthy and full of purpose through the art of writing.

I now leave you with Mr. King’s magnificent speech that so ever impacted my adult life.

What is Your Life’s Blueprint?

By Martin Luther King, Jr.

I want to ask you a question, and that is: What is your life’s blueprint?

Whenever a building is constructed, you usually have an architect who draws a blueprint, and that blueprint serves as the pattern, as the guide, and a building is not well erected without a good, solid blueprint.

Now each of you is in the process of building the structure of your lives, and the question is whether you have a proper, a solid and a sound blueprint.

I want to suggest some of the things that should begin your life’s blueprint. Number one in your life’s blueprint, should be a deep belief in your own dignity, your worth and your own somebodiness. Don’t allow anybody to make you fell that you’re nobody. Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance.

Secondly, in your life’s blueprint you must have as the basic principle the determination to achieve excellence in your various fields of endeavor. You’re going to be deciding as the days, as the years unfold what you will do in life — what your life’s work will be. Set out to do it well.

And I say to you, my young friends, doors are opening to you–doors of opportunities that were not open to your mothers and your fathers — and the great challenge facing you is to be ready to face these doors as they open.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, the great essayist, said in a lecture in 1871, “If a man can write a better book or preach a better sermon or make a better mousetrap than his neighbor, even if he builds his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door.”

This hasn’t always been true — but it will become increasingly true, and so I would urge you to study hard, to burn the midnight oil; I would say to you, don’t drop out of school. I understand all the sociological reasons, but I urge you that in spite of your economic plight, in spite of the situation that you’re forced to live in — stay in school.

And when you discover what you will be in your life, set out to do it as if God Almighty called you at this particular moment in history to do it. Don’t just set out to do a good job. Set out to do such a good job that the living, the dead or the unborn couldn’t do it any better.

If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well. If you can’t be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley. Be be the best little shrub on the side of the hill.

Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.

*Source: The Seattle Times

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Martin Luther King, Jr. What Is Your Life's Blueprint? Reflection Activities for High School

These "read, reflect, respond" activities for high school students are perfect for helping them learn about Martin Luther King Jr. 's speech, "What Is Your Life's Blueprint?" while thinking reflectively about their own goals, dreams, and path through life.

Students will use read the included copy of "What Is Your Life's Blueprint?" by Martin Luther King Jr. and complete writing prompts and comprehension questions about the speech. Following this, students complete a self-reflection activity which encourages them to think about their own life and goals. This activity is suitable for grades 9 to 12.

Download the Martin Luther King Jr. What Is Your Life's Blueprint? Activities for High School!

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For the bold, brave and determined

Stout Magazine

MLK: What is in Your Life’s Blueprint?

On october 26, 1967, six months before he was assassinated, martin luther king gave one of the most sage speeches of his career..

He was not speaking to a group of politicians, nor captains of industry. He was not rallying civic leaders. Instead, he delivered his simple yet profound message to a group of students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia.

“ What is your life’s blueprint? ” King asked.

With this single question, he delivered a lifetime of wisdom in a scant twenty minutes. The importance of self-worth, the determination to excel, and recognition of the opportunities open to them, where doors had been closed to their parents. In that brief time – as he had done with so many people before – King empowered those children. Not by telling them that they would all have lofty careers, or that they would be famous or “important”. Instead, he empowered them by encouraging that, no matter how mundane their position, they “set out to do such a good job that the living, the dead, or the unborn couldn’t do it any better.”

He gave them permission to be themselves, but also encouragement to be their best selves.

In today’s endless pursuit of viral greatness, everyone seems to be chasing a better job, or a better house, or a better life. But what about, as King suggests, focusing on a better self?

“If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry.”

What is your life’s blueprint?

The question may be even more profound today than it was forty years ago. But the answer remains the same:  “Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.”

#STOUT leader. #STOUT legacy.

Cultivate your resilience and make the most of what you have . You are enough.

More STOUT reading:

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"Life's Blueprint"

Author : King, Martin Luther, Jr.

Date : January 1, 1948 to December 31, 1954 ?

Genre : Sermon

Topic : Martin Luther King, Jr. - Education

Source: MLKP-MBU, Martin Luther King, Jr., Papers, 1954-1968, Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, Boston University, Boston, Mass., Box 118, folder 6 (CSKV87-A10).

©  Copyright Information

Leadership and Main

Bettering Others and the World You Live In

What is in Your Life’s Blueprint

James albright.

• January 18, 2022
• / Community Characters

What is in your life’s blueprint? One of the greatest orators to ever walk this earth, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. , asked this critically important question to a group of junior high students from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in October of 1967, a few months before his life would be taken way too soon.

I can’t help but think about what it would have been like to be a teenager sitting in the room that day. To hang on to every word as he rested one arm on the podium and used the other to point at you for emphasis. Could those young people ever had imagined that they were in the presence of one of the most influential people in world history? A man who sought to better others and the world that he lived in. A world in which he changed the course of history with a recipe of courage and love.

The I Have a Dream Speech overshadowed many other great speeches that Dr. King delivered. The What is in Your Life’s Blueprint may be one of those!

For me personally, words are very important. Each and every word that comes out of our mouths should be drenched in intentionality. As I wrote this week, it made me realize how intentional Dr. King was with his words. Therefore, there are a lot of direct quotes from his speech in this post as there is very little explanation needed from a man of great words.  There are also not enough words in this post to be able to capture the entire speech and I would highly encourage you to watch the speech for yourself (link provided at the bottom).

The Blueprint

Dr. King masterfully sets the tone for the message. In his booming voice, he asks, “what is in your life’s blueprint?” He reminds the kids that, “this is the most important and crucial period of your lives for what you do now may well determine which way your life should go.” He shares with them that, “whenever a building is constructed, you usually have an architect.”

Architects produce blueprints. Dr. King says a blueprint, “serves as a pattern, the guide, the model for those who are building the building. A building is not well erected without a sound and solid blueprint. Each of you is in the process of building the structure of your lives and the question is whether you have a proper, a solid, and sound blueprint.”

As leaders, we need a blueprint. One in which Dr. King says is, “sound and solid.” Without that, the organizations we build will crumble. Not only that, but our personal brand that we have worked so hard to build, will crumble too. Have a blueprint.  Build something “sound and solid.”

Here are the three things that Dr. King suggested the audience includes in their blueprint:

1. Deep Beliefs

He says, the kids should have a, “deep belief in your own dignity, your own worth, and own somebodyness. Don’t allow anybody to make you feel that you are nobody. Always feel that you count, always feel that you have worth, always feel that your life has ultimate significance.”

He appealed to the young people, “you should not be ashamed of your color.” He references the processing of hair (to straighten) and cosmetics aimed at black people being able to lighten the color of their skin.

Feel that you “count,” have “worth” and your life has “ultimate significance.” How many people needed to hear these deep beliefs of his then? So many today could benefit from these words of wisdom. We are all uniquely crafted individuals and need to remember that and believe it.

2. Achieve Excellence

In point two, King says, “you must have as a basic principle the determination to achieve excellence in your various fields of endeavor.” He guides them to determine, “what your life’s work will be and once you discover what it will be, set out to do it and do it well…doors of opportunity are opening to each of you. The great challenge facing you is to be ready to enter these doors as they open.”

Then he shares some extremely poetic and inspiring words that I will not even attempt to narrate.

“If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say, here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.

If you can’t be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley, but be the best little shrub on the side of the hill.  Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.”

Our determination to achieve excellence should be found in anything we do, regardless how we are called to lead. As he advises, know “your life’s work, set out to do it, and do it well.” If we follow those three simple steps in our leadership journeys, we too will better others and the world we live in.

3. Commitment

Lesson three, “commitment to the eternal principals of beauty, love, and justice.” He says two important things here, “however young you are, you have a responsibility to seek to make your nation a better nation in which to live, you have a responsibility to seek to make life better for everybody, so you must be involved in the struggle for freedom and justice.”

Two key things here. He did not specify race when talking about this responsibility or who to make life better for. He used the word, “everybody.” Dr. King calls all of us to make people’s life better and for all of us to be, “involved in the struggle for freedom and justice.” As leaders we should strive to make life better for EVERYONE and give EVERYTHING for the causes of freedom and justice.

He also warns the audience, “don’t allow anybody to pull you so low as to make you hate them.”   Dr. King fulfilled his commitment to justice through a conduit of love, not hate.  Love that appreciated the beauty in every human being.  The world could benefit from a little love and deep appreciation for each other as human beings. He committed to moving forward with this great quote, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”  Dr. King was burdened by injustice, he dealt with his burden through forward motion.

As he did with all speeches, Dr. King casted vision. Not of what was, but what could be. Anytime I speak to a group on leadership, vision is a key part of it. I strongly believe that vision is simply, “the ability to see further.” I show the picture below in the presentation and share an excerpt from this I Have a Dream Speech :

“I have a dream that one day…little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.”

There were people that heard these words in real time that believed the man and wanted to see the day when these kids joined hands, but they probably couldn’t actually see it. Dr. King did. He had vision. He could see further.

I believe with all my heart that Dr. King saw this day.  The day this picture was taken in November of 2020 in Acworth, Georgia . A picture of my son sitting right in the middle of his buddies. His buddies that are black, white, brown, and mixed race. “Little boys,” that come from different backgrounds made up of different stories of how they arrived at that exact moment in life.

That evening the boys unified as a one to punch their ticket to their league championship game. Imagine if we could unify as a nation, just like these boys did, and just like Dr. King expected us to do? What if as leaders, we fully understood our awesome responsibility to play a role in this unification? What if…

So what is in your life’s blueprint?

See other Leadership and Main Posts on the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. here .

Grateful for you taking the time to read this post!  Like what you read?  Share this post with your friends and followers with the icons provided below.  Are you interested in joining us on this leadership journey and having these posts delivered to your inbox weekly?  Subscribe here.   Would love for you to connect with us on social media via Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , and LinkedIn .

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Blueprint for all

What is your life’s blueprint?

Key details

Date: 17th Jan 2022

Author: Neil Pinder

This Martin Luther King Day, Hon. Professor Neil Pinder, Blueprint for All Trustee, looks back at one of the most rousing speeches of the Reverend King – and at the foundations we have laid as a charity to tackle inequality in the UK.

Thursday October 26 th , 1967. Martin Luther King Junior arrives in Philadelphia to speak at a high-profile event on his Freedom Tour where he delivered his now world-famous speech ‘The Other America’. Yet, just hours before, he decides to speak directly to students at Barratt Junior High School.

This speech implored the students to recognise their self-worth and to think about the choices they are making for the future. He stands in front of the hall and asks – what is your life’s blueprint?

Remembering Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King Day commemorates one of the most influential speakers of the 20 th century, a prominent figure in the civil rights movement who spread messages of non-violence to all who listened. As the embodiment of freedom, justice and harmony in a time of segregation and social unrest, today seeks to recognise a great man who tried to bring people of different religions, ethnicities and nationalities together. King, a Baptist minister, spoke wholly in the name of peace and love.

Therefore, more than fifty years later, we at Blueprint for All have asked ourselves this question. What is our blueprint, our plans for making an impact in the UK today?

When King asked the hall of students what your life’s blueprint is, he didn’t just ask those students in Philadelphia. He also asks each and every one of us today to consider what our own plans are to lay the foundation of a more equal and inclusive society. His words speak to generations of people of diverse ethnic heritage, inspiring them to think about what their own hopes are for the future.

I want to suggest some of the things that should begin your life’s blueprint. Number one in your life’s blueprint, should be a deep belief in your own dignity, your worth and your own somebodiness. Don’t allow anybody to make you feel that you’re nobody. Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance.

In this country, people of diverse ethnic heritage face systemic discrimination in all aspects of life – from a lack of representation across countless professional industries to failings in healthcare. This is why MLK Day inspires me to continue to educate, enthuse and inform the next generation so that they can succeed.

Looking to the future on MLK Day

At Blueprint for All, we also have asked ourselves what our own blueprint is as a charity. How are we laying the foundations of a society today that we hope to see in the future?

2022 will be a monumental year for Blueprint for All. We will support even higher numbers of underrepresented young people than we currently do, inspiring them to succeed in their education and career through our magnificent programmes. We continue to work tirelessly with our partners to enable us to deliver these programmes again this year. We will strengthen and empower community groups to allow them to better support their own communities . We will succeed in influencing societal change and social policy by challenging even more organisations to ask themselves how they are enabling systemic discrimination with their current practices.

Although these are big goals, we take courage from King’s own words. We know our worth as a charity , our own “somebodiness”. And we know that we will do what everyone should challenge themselves to do on MLK Day, on a day to remember one of the most influential orators of the 20 th century – we will challenge ourselves to be the best charity we can possibly be.

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What Is Your Life’s Blueprint? by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Full Transcript)

• January 25, 2019 5:13 am October 7, 2023 4:05 am
• by Pangambam S
• Pinterest 1

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered this speech speaking to students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia on October 26, 1967. This speech is also popularly known by the title “WHAT’S YOUR LIFE’S BLUEPRINT?”

Below is the full text ( Edited version ) and summary of the speech by  Dr. King.

NOTABLE QUOTE FROM THIS SPEECH:

“If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl, but by all means, keep moving!” 

Listen to the MP3 Audio here:

TRANSCRIPT:

Introducing speaker:

…And help welcome our honored distinguished guest, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

Thank you very kindly.

Principal [ inaudible ], Mr. Williams, Members of the faculty and members of the student body of Barratt Junior High School, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I need not pause to say how very delighted I am to be here today, and to have the opportunity of taking a very brief break in a pretty busy schedule in the city of Philadelphia, to share with you the students of Barrat Junior High School.

And I want to express my personal appreciation to the Principal and the administration for inviting me and for giving me the opportunity to see this very fine and enthusiastic group of students here at Barrat.

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Home — Application Essay — National Universities — The Blueprint of My Life

The Blueprint of My Life

• University: Fordham University

About this sample

Words: 480 |

Published: Jul 18, 2018

Words: 480 | Pages: 2 | 3 min read

Growing up in a family of builders, I have always been surrounded by blueprints, models, and tools. My father is a contractor, my grandfather was an engineer, and my uncles are carpenters, plumbers, and electricians. From an early age, I was fascinated by the process of construction, and I would often ask my father to take me to his job sites. I loved the smell of sawdust, the sound of hammers, and the sight of men working together to create something beautiful and functional. However, it wasn't until I took a high school architecture class that I realized my true passion. However, it wasn't until I visited a historic building with my family that I realized I wanted to become an architect.

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My family and I were on vacation, and we decided to visit a famous building in the area. As we walked through the building, I was struck by the beauty and complexity of the design. The architect had managed to create a space that was both functional and visually stunning, and I was in awe of their skill.

After that trip, I began to research more about architecture and design. I discovered that architects not only create beautiful buildings, but they also have the power to shape the way we interact with the world around us. I was fascinated by the idea that architecture could have such a significant impact on our daily lives, and I knew that I wanted to be a part of that.

As I continued to learn more about architecture, I realized that I was drawn to the idea of sustainable design. I became passionate about the idea of creating buildings that not only look beautiful, but also minimize their impact on the environment. I believe that sustainable design is essential for the future of our planet, and I want to be a part of the movement towards more sustainable architecture.

That's why I've chosen to apply to Fordham University's Architecture department. I've researched many programs, and Fordham's stands out to me for its focus on sustainability and social responsibility in design. I'm excited about the opportunity to learn from the experienced faculty and to be a part of a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about creating a better world through design.

In addition to my passion for sustainable design, I've also excelled academically in math and science. I believe that my strong background in these areas will help me succeed in the rigorous coursework of Fordham's Architecture program. I'm committed to working hard and taking advantage of every opportunity that the program has to offer.

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Overall, I'm excited about the prospect of studying at Fordham University and pursuing my dream of becoming an architect. I believe that I have the drive, passion, and academic ability to succeed in the program, and I'm eager to contribute to the world of sustainable design.

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Self-Esteem

What’s in your life’s blueprint, self-worth, determination, and a commitment to justice..

Posted January 20, 2021

Dr. Martin Luther King has inspired us to live our best lives with intention, meaning, and purpose. In one of his many eloquent speeches, he questions, “What is in your life’s blueprint?”

He goes on to say three things that are essential for one’s life blueprint: self-worth, determination to achieve excellence, and a commitment of duty, love, and justice.

Self-worth.

Our inner dialogue to ourselves is harsh. We are unforgiving to ourselves when things go wrong and are often our own worst adversary. Not enough time is invested in building ourselves up and hence our self-esteem is fragile.

To achieve the greatness of contributing to the world, we have to first believe in ourselves. That belief comes from within, not from the validation of others.

This is difficult to digest as the social media world thrives from external validations of likes, shares, and followers. According to a study in the Journal of Social Issues , college students who based their self-worth on external sources—including appearance, approval from others, and even their academic performance—reported more stress , anger , academic problems, relationship conflicts, and higher levels of substance abuse and symptoms of eating disorders. These are the sad consequences of seeking external validation; it destroys health.

If we need validation from others to see the significance of our lives, it may be time to do some soul searching. Write down three things about yourself that bring pride. At the end of the week, reflect on accomplishments. Over time, you will see your own value not through the eyes of others but through your own self-worth.

Determination to achieve excellence.

Making short-term SMART goals is common practice. We make goals to lose weight, increase family time, or get a promotion. However, writing a life mission and vision statement is often not done. Evaluating the overarching goals for life can help organize the clutter that causes burnout .

Make room for what matters by taking away the tasks that don’t align with one’s personal mission. Once a vision statement and purpose are determined, then life seems to align more effortlessly. When we are in tune with our core values, achieving excellence becomes a way of life.

A commitment of duty, love, and justice.

If we lack a sense of duty, life can feel empty and even meaningless. Focusing on something outside of ourselves brings greater life satisfaction.

Research on the Psychology of Well-being by Carol Ryff supports that people who score their sense of purpose highly appear to have better cognitive function, longevity, sleep, cardiovascular fitness, and mood. Discover a passion and get involved. Brainstorm the causes that matter to you like animal rights, climate change , child advocacy, etc. Sometimes we find our own authentic voice when we are the voice for others. Advocate for people who need support, whether it’s domestic violence , drug addiction, mental health, etc., to foster a sense of duty through justice.

We all hold a power within us to live our best lives. But unless we first invest in building self-worth, we can’t achieve excellence. If a mission and vision for our lives are not defined, we can’t strive for excellence. We can commit to a higher cause when we know what we are striving for. Once invested in building the structure of our lives with a solid blueprint around these core principles, we can find an inner strength that can bring greater meaning and well-being to our lives.

Asha Shajahan, MD, MHSA, is a board-certified family physician. She is an assistant professor at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.

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