A LEGACY LEFT: THANK YOU DR. KING

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth101472.html#64XxdkxyUEVLh6tk.99

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth101472.html#64XxdkxyUEVLh6tk.99

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth101472.html#64XxdkxyUEVLh6tk.99

On this day I am taking some private time to reflect on the life, and more importantly, the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  As a basketball player at LSU, one of the staples of our program that was constantly preached to us was that of our legacy.  What did we want to leave behind to those who follow in our footsteps.  The word "legacy" is amazing and powerful and there are few that have walked the earth that have left a legacy as far reaching as Dr. King.  With the ultimate of sacrifices he has left a shadow that will cover humanity for a lifetime and has directly impacted me personally.

Here are some of my more favorite quotations from Dr. King:

"Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education."

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. "

"Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase.""

"I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live."

"A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus."

"A right delayed is a right denied."

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

"Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see."

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

"Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’"

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

SOME THOUGHTS ON THE LEGACY OF NELSON MANDELA

With the passing yesterday of Nelson Mandela, I took the time yesterday evening to reflect on him and his life.  I have studied his teachings and admired the life that he has lived.  What an amazing legacy to leave that he could battle against so many great odds without quitting...get knocked down time and again only to rise...then reach a great pinnacle of power only to treat all with great humility and compassion.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from Mr. Mandela:

“A leader ... is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.”

"Let the strivings of us all prove Martin Luther King Jr. to have been correct, when he said that humanity can no longer be tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war. Let the efforts of us all prove that he was not a mere dreamer when he spoke of the beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace being more precious than diamonds or silver or gold. Let a new age dawn."

"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."

"The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

“And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same”

"We recall our terrible past so that we can deal with it, to forgive where forgiveness is necessary, without forgetting; to ensure that never again will such inhumanity tear us apart; and to move ourselves to eradicate a legacy that lurks dangerously as a threat to our democracy."

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

“When there is danger, a good leader takes the front line; but when there is celebration, a good leader stays in the back of the room.”

“Even if you have a terminal disease, you don't have to sit down and mope. Enjoy life and challenge the illness that you have.”

FOR MEEK, IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL -- LITERALLY!

Hello everyone! I'm coming to you a little different today so I hope you like it and appreciate it. As you all know with my Foundation (H.O.P.E.) I express the importance of education for our kids of today as they are definitely our tomorrow and our future. Well, guess what -- I am practicing what I have been preaching. And that is the strong belief that getting an education can take  you much further than anything, and very important to your growth as person. As of tomorrow,  I will be starting classes again as I have enrolled at LSU to get my Masters in Business. That's right -- I am in the MBA program back at the great Louisiana State University. It will be a big challenge for me, but it's definitely one that I look forward to as well as embracing. Learning is so important and I'm thankful for this opportunity to enhance myself as well as those whose path I may cross. The kids are our future, but that doesn't mean that we stop learning and stop bettering ourselves. It means that we keep growing and getting better right along with them to be able to help them, go along with them, and feel good enough that you let go and let them pave the way. This universe has a way of continual moving forward no matter your age.  We can not do it all alone. We have to continue to help others get better, but also work towards bettering ourselves. I am so excited about starting school; knowledge is power, and sharpening your mind is never a bad thing! Stay tune everyone and I'll let you know how my first week goes as well as give you some basketball updates as well.

Until next time...

Meek

AN ASSIST OF HOPE

Hey everyone! I want you all to help me spread the word about this event I will be pushing in my hometown community. This is simply a way for my family and myself to show that that we care -- not just for those in a little need, but the entire community as well.

Although I am in Russia, my family will step in for me as well as Rev. Hurst and his church. I am so thankful for this opportunity to spread a little HOPE. But more important to reinforce that we all need a little help at times as well as to instill some HOPE, love and enthusiasm back into our communities that may have been lost. I encourage everyone to come out:

Saturday,  Nov. 23rd for my  "An Assist of Hope" at the Oakland Baptist Church in Kenner, Louisiana from 11 am until 2 pm...the entire community is invited and it is free to the public.

This is near and dear to my heart and we HOPE that it goes as well as I anticipate. Come on everyone -- please help me spread a little HOPE during the Holidays!
Meek

OPENING WIN OVERSEAS

Well, well, well -- here we go again as another season for me tips off. I have been here with my new team Orenburg for about a week and we have already played our first game. We did come out on top which is a great way to start things off, but we are still missing a key piece to our puzzle. This season I will be playing with Glory Johnson (WNBA Tulsa Shock) and Dewanna Bonner (WNBA Phoenix Mercury). Both Glory and I did our best to hold it down until Dewanna arrives, but our team that we have this season is a very good and talented one. We have a very talented Spanish guard, a talented small forward from Greece, and some fierce Russian players and competitors. I am happy to be a part of this group. So far it has gotten to a great start, and I am looming forward to it, getting even better.

Stay tune everyone there will be more to come...
Meek

MEEK PROMOTES READING TO SEATTLE YOUNGSTERS

HONORING A LEGEND!!!

What a great week! As the regular season comes to an end and we head into playoffs; I have to share how great it was.

For our last home game against the Tulsa Shock we were celebrating Tina Thompson's career as well. It was Tina's last regular season game of her career, as she will be retiring when this is all over. After 17 years of great leadership, great work, 4 championships, Gold medals, most minutes played, most points in the WNBA etc. I could go on and on she had decided to call it quits and hang up her nike's. I am so honored to have had the chance to play with Tina as well as learn from her it has been great.

With all the honoring, speeches, fans cheering and all. We the Storm, her teammates decided to honor her in our own way as well.

After the game was over we all changed out of our jerseys and into #7 jerseys as well as put on the famous red lip stick that Tina always wears. She got a kick out of it and we all had a blast.

It was great joy listen to her talk about her careers as well as acknowledge all those that have help impact her life and career. Tina is a great mother, person, and teammate I am so happy our paths crossed.

Meek