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On this day, as we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we’re reminded of the power of purposeful action. I also want to pause and recognize those affected by the LA fires. Imagine the scene: December 5, 1955, thousands packed into Holt Street Baptist Church in Montgomery. The Montgomery Bus Boycott had just begun, and Dr. King addressed the crowd. His speech wasn’t just inspirational—it was strategic. He called on everyone to stand firm, knowing their peaceful and deliberate actions could change history.

Dr. King’s life and the Civil Rights Movement exemplify what it means to live with intention. Every march, every word, every moment of resistance was guided by a vision of justice, equality, and love. That kind of focus didn’t just happen—it required clarity and resolve, the same qualities we can apply in our own lives.

Dr. King’s ability to align his actions with purpose sparks an essential question: How intentional are we in our daily lives? For me, this question became unavoidable during a period when I was overwhelmed by commitments and struggling to set boundaries. Amid my frustration, I stumbled upon a lesson from Oprah Winfrey that changed my perspective.

Oprah spoke about what she called the “disease to please.” For years, she explained, she said yes to requests she didn’t want to accept, all to avoid disappointing others. “My biggest problem was learning to say no and not saying yes when I really meant no,” she admitted. “No is a complete sentence.” Her words hit me hard. Like Oprah, I had a habit of overcommitting, saying yes out of fear of letting people down. But, as she said, “If you only do what you intend to do, then you don’t end up saying yes to things you don’t want.”

That was a lightbulb moment. I began practicing the art of saying no when presented with opportunities that didn't align with my vision and values. It wasn’t easy, but over time, it became liberating. Some of these no's turned into a change in my employment, relocating across the country, and even adjusting some relationships.

Oprah’s reminder—“Nothing is showing up in your life that you didn’t order there”—helped me take ownership of my time and choices.

Living with intention doesn’t require overhauling your life overnight. Simply take small, consistent actions that reflect your values and build toward a meaningful life. Consider these steps to guide you if you want to put this into practice:

Dr. King’s legacy reminds us that aligned, purposeful actions could transform entire systems. Whether you’re leading a team, pursuing a passion project, or building a legacy, living with intention amplifies your efforts.

Here’s my challenge to you: What’s one area of your life where you could live with more intention? Identify it, reflect on it, and take one small, deliberate step today.

Let’s honor Dr. King’s legacy by committing to purposeful living, one intentional choice at a time.

I hope this message finds you well. I’m sharing from my heart in hopes that you will be inspired to unearth and live out your God-given purpose. Hopefully, something I said resonated. I would love to hear from you if so. Please feel free to reach out to me on social media. FYI: I’m mostly active on Instagram these days. If you were forwarded this message, you can subscribe here to receive thoughts like this directly in your inbox. And don’t forget to check out the latest episode of my podcast, ConvoRoom with Mark Allen Patterson.

See you next week,