For Reflection: Before moving onto Mission #5, take a moment to reflect on yesterday’s mission. If you haven't done so, report your experiences for Mission #4 on the Compassion Report Map! I did not get this mission until too late.  After I do it, I will write my thoughts

Our final mission, Agents, is to honor Muhammad Ali - a Heavyweight Champion of Compassion - by celebrating his 75th BIRTHDAY! When Muhammad Ali - then known as Cassius Clay - was 12 years old, he received a red Schwinn bicycle.  This bicycle marked a new chapter in young Cassius’s life, because the bike represented freedom. He was able to go wherever he wanted to go as a responsible young man. Well, fortunately for him that didn’t last too long. Upon going into a shop to receive some free snacks, he returned outside to discover that his new red bike had been stolen. Young Cassius was deservedly outraged. He swore he would find whoever did this and "give them a whooping!" A police officer named Joe Elsby heard Cassius’s story, and asked if he knew how to fight. Cassius said he didn’t. So Joe taught Cassius how to box, and Cassius decided not to beat up the bike thief after all. Instead, he dedicated his heart and passion to the gift that he loved. Cassius, after years of extreme dedication and courage, become known as Muhammad Ali, the most celebrated athlete of all time. He would later call this event his “Red Bike Moment.” Ali was “The Greatest” not simply because of his skill in the boxing ring, but because of what his boxing matches stood for on behalf of the progress of human rights everywhere. He made a stand and refused to fight in an unjust war. What his fights stood for was not only unpopular, but sometimes dangerous. As we have explored, this is the essence of courage: to do something despite fear, despite danger, because it is the right thing to do.  Today’s mission, Agents, is to honor Muhammad Ali’s 75th birthday by becoming more of yourself, and to use your greatest strengths for the greatest good... to become your greatest! As Muhammad Ali says, "Be great, do great things!" Each of us are confronted with “Red Bike Moments” every single day. When something happens to us that is hard or challenging, do we choose to react out of anger? Or do we respond with patience and the intention to seek greater understanding and self-growth, asking: “What can I learn here? How can I use my greatest strengths to make this situation better for others and myself? Agents, by using our greatest strengths for the greater good, we grow stronger, more beautiful, and compassionate. By doing so, we give back to the world in a way that only we can! Muhammad Ali said: "Service to others is the rent you pay for your time here on earth." Good luck, Agents! Agents, remember... As you fulfill your final mission, share your experiences on the Compassion Report Map! Your report inspires others, amplifying the power of your compassion and generosity! Partners in Compassion! Thank you to our wonderful, inspiring partners in compassion for making this coopetition possible. Learn more about the incredible work and vision of Service for Peace, Points of Light, and the Ali Center!

For Reflection: Before moving onto Mission #4, take a moment to reflect on yesterday’s mission. If you haven't done so, report your experiences for Mission #3 on the Compassion Report Map!  I have not done the mission yet.  I will reflect in Febraury.  I misssed Mission 3

Our mission today, Agents, is to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by honoring his Great Dream. Let us use this moment to take a good look at the day. It may seem like an ordinary day, an “everyday” kind of day, some might say, but here’s the thing: it actually isn’t. It was on this very day, 88 years ago, that Martin Luther King Jr. was brought into the world! It’s difficult to imagine what our world would be like if Dr. King was never born, if he never became the Civil Rights Leader and Humanitarian he is known for today. That’s what makes this day so special to all of us. Dr. King gave voice and movement to both the pain and the dreams of billions of people around the planet. He helped people understand that it was in their own power to help change ideas and unjust laws and that change is achievable when we act together with compassion in unprecedentedly unified ways. Our mission today, Agents, is to celebrate the life of Dr. King by honoring his dream for the world, a dream he called Beloved Community! Can you think of the people or places that allow you to feel totally welcome, accepted, and safe? These are Beloved Communities! Beloved Communities can exist between you and a loved one, or it can be a place like a school, coffee shop, or bookstore where there is that extra something that makes you and others feel like you belong there. In celebration of Dr. King, let’s honor where Beloved Communities exist in our lives, and commit ourselves to bring more Beloved Community into the world!   This mission in action: Identify the people and places where Beloved Community thrives in your life! The Food Bank and the other organizations where my students volunteer in OKC Print this Beloved Community card. A Spanish version is available here. (You are also welcome to make your own!) Will send the card during Global Harmony Week Gift the Beloved Community Card as a way to say thank you to the people and places in your life where you feel safe, welcome, and accepted! You can share through your favorite social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram). Tag @compasiongames and your beloved community members in your post. We will be looking for your posts to share out to the Global Social Media Compassion Games Community. Report this action on the Compassion Report Map when complete. We will be accepting reports on the map until Tuesday, January 24th.  Commit yourself to carry the spirit of Beloved Community within you wherever you go by connecting with others in a way that helps them feel accepted and understood. Invite others to join you today in this mission honoring the "Heavy Weight Champions of Courage" Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & Muhammad Ali. Tomorrow is Muhammad Ali's Birthday.  Agents, remember... As you fulfill your final mission, share your experiences on the Compassion Report Map! Your report inspires others, amplifying the power of your compassion and generosity! Going Deeper: Listen to John A. Powell (spelled lowercase), professor of UC Berkley, talk briefly and powerfully about Dr. King's meaning of Beloved Community in the video below! Partners in Compassion! Thank you to our wonderful, inspiring partners in compassion for making this coopetition possible. Learn more about the incredible work and vision of Service for Peace, Points of Light, and the Ali Center!

Courageous Service, Mission 2: A woven quilt

Before moving on to Mission #2, take a moment to reflect on yesterday’s mission.  If you haven't done so, report your reflections on the Compassion Report Map!

Today’s mission, Agents, is all about US. As in all of us together, and the power we have when we bring our individual stories together with courage and work as one human team! Remember your answers from yesterday? They were intended to help identify your natural gifts and passions - a.k.a. what makes you feel fully alive! -  and align them with a cause that is closest to your heart. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said: “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve.” Muhammad Ali said: "Don’t count the days; make the days count." Dr. King’s and Muhammad Ali’s lives were vibrant inspiring because they gave their gifts to the world freely in service. They made their days count! But here's the thing... we each can! And by doing so we brighten up the whole world! Our second mission is to unleash our greatness through service. In honor of Dr. King and Muhammad Ali, find a way to give your gifts to the cause you wrote down yesterday that speaks deeply to your heart. What are you fighting for?  The Cause was advocacy for MLK Day.  The gift I gave was of time.  I made a quilt patch of my roots and fruits of service, I volunteer with YAC to do something to help hungry OKC children because I am fighting for hunger to be something children read in history books. It might be about the protecting and restoring the Earth and the environment. It might be about creating equal rights for women, people of color, children, and members of the LGBTQ community. It might be about healing masculinity, supporting those with disabilities, making laws more just, providing education to those who need it, protecting animals, and many others! Each need in the world is linked to all the others! If each person gives their gifts to a cause in the way that only they can, the great quilt of humanity will be held together by many small acts of kindness. Our gifts and stories come together to make a magnificent tapestry of the human spirit! Good luck, Agents! Be inspired by Common's music video to see how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for justice and freedom!  Agents, remember... As you fulfill your mission, share your experiences on theCompassion Report Map! Your report inspires others, amplifying the power of your compassion and generosity! Partners in Compassion! Thank you to our wonderful, inspiring partners in compassion for making this coopetition possible. Learn more about the incredible work and vision of Service for Peace, Points of Light, and the Ali Center!

Martin Luther King, Jr talks about Muhammad Ali : Mission I: Love Keeps Us Going

MLK & Ali: Five Days of Courageous Service!

The Five Days of Courageous Service Coopetition (1/13 – 1/17) honors the magnificent lives of two of our most beloved Heavyweight Champions of Compassion, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and Muhammad Ali. Join players and teams around the world by celebrating the birthdays of MLK and Ali by igniting their legacies of courageous service into action.

It is impossible to imagine what our world may look like had MLK and Muhammed Ali never been born. Dr. King gave voice and movement to both the pain and the dreams of billions of people around the planet, helping us understand that it is in our power to change ideas and unjust laws when we act together with compassion. Muhammad Ali is one of the most celebrated athletes of all time. He was “The Greatest” not simply because of his skill in the ring, but because of what his boxing matches stood for on behalf of the progress of human rights when doing so was not only unpopular, but dangerous. Muhammed Ali passed away in 2016, yet January 17th would have marked his 75th birthday.

Each of these men spoke to the importance of service above all else, and they lived that message with courage. Dr. King said: “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve.” Muhammad Ali said: “Service is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.”

In that spirit, we warmly invite you and your community to join us in these Five Days of Courageous Service to make our world a more just, safe, and equitable place to live for all members of the Human Family!

Agents of Compassion! We have important news for you from Agent HQ... Let us use this moment to take a good look at the day. It may seem like an ordinary day, an “everyday” kind of day, some might say, but here’s the thing: it actually isn’t. It was on this very day, 87 years ago, that Martin Luther King Jr. was brought into the world. That’s right! Today is Dr. King’s birthday! It’s difficult to imagine what our world would be like if Dr. King was never born, if he never became the Civil Rights Leader and Humanitarian he is known for today. That’s what makes this day so special to all of us. Dr. King gave voice and movement to both the pain and the dreams of billions of people around the planet. He helped people understand that it was in their own power to help change ideas and unjust laws, and that change is achievable when we act together with compassion in unprecedentedly unified ways. Agents, Dr. King’s story is not over even though he is no longer physically with us. His story lives on through us, through the struggles and challenges we face today as a Human Family. It is our role in this story to carry the torch of compassion and progress, discovering how we can give our gifts to the world and find our unique place in the unfolding story of our time.

Our friend Kid President introduces the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the premise for Mission #1! In honor of Dr. King and his birthday, today’s mission is to treat everyone like it is THEIR OWN birthday! As Kid President so wisely points out, could there possibly be a better way to treat a person? People are kinder towards you, more thoughtful, more appreciative of your life simply because it is in the forefront of their minds in their otherwise busy lives.  In other words, we can honor the “Dr. King” within each of us as a way to celebrate his birthday with every person you interact with today, whether they know it or not! Tie a string to your finger - or make up some other symbol - to remind you of your mission to treat everyone today like it is their birthday in honor of Dr. King. Open doors for others, and let people go before you in line. Ask people how they are doing, and listen mindfully to their response. Make a meal for somebody, or volunteer to clean up after you eat! Make cards for people you care about, and spread the love to let that birthday spirit soar! (Want more ideas? Here is a link with some simple ideas to amplify the birthday spirit and spread kindness!)  I attended the MLK Day Prayer Breakfast and implemented all the mission with different people at the breakfast. Agents, remember... As you fulfill your mission, share your experiences on theCompassion Report Map! Your report inspires others, amplifying the power of your compassion and generosity! Good luck, Agents! Want to Go Deeper? Another great way to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King is gathering with others in song. Imagine the planet with many song rivers vibrating a pulse of harmonious peace together on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday! Music has a unique power to transcend social barriers and illuminate connections. You can bring song to your family's dinner table, into your school's classrooms, on the streets in public spaces, or in senior living communities. Lead a sing-along in a homeless shelter, or a drum circle in the park. These ideas were inspired by the #MLKmusic project happening nationwide led by the Corporation for National and Community Service.