On Monday we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Marting Luther King Jr. If he were alive today, I don’t think he would say that his “Dream” has been achieved. Today, ask yourself, what can you do to make Dr. King’s dream a reality Perhaps help someone who needs help, or spread a message of acceptance rather than hatred or love someone who is hard to love. Too many people focus on what we want for ourselves instead of what we need for our society.

“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down, other-centered men can build up.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On Friday, I sat at a breakfast honoring the memory of Dr. King. Over 700 people felt it was important enough to gather together – to remember the Dream of Dr. King’s – because as long as we are killing each other on the streets, we will never reach the promised land that Dr. King hoped for African-Americans and, indeed, for all of us.

I have two children on the way. I thought about them today and it scared me that they are coming into a world where gang members kill each other over drugs and territory on a daily basis in our country. It scared me that I will have to be concerned about what color shirt they are wearing or what part of town they travel in. My children will be/are part African-American, part Latino, and part White. I want them to be proud of their heritage and judge others, as Dr. King said, “not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” I want to teach them that love always conquers hate, that acceptance always trumps violence, and that being open-minded will always overcome ignorance.

Dr. King’s message starts with us. We can change the way we look at the world and perhaps leave it better than when we entered it – for our children.

The San Diego Super Chargers are heading to the playoffs for the first time in 10 years (the last time they were in, they got their butts whipped by the 49ers in the Superbowl – but that, alas, was a long time ago). The city of San Diego has gone CRAZY for the Chargers. While I am a transplant and my allegiances lie with the aforementioned 49ers, the Chargers have been fun to watch this year (and they have the coolest theme song in the league – click here for lyrics and to hear it).

My Y is captalizing on Charger mania by hooking up with a company that makes bracelets similar to Lance Armstrong’s LIVESTRONG bracelets. Boltz Bandz are being sold in 7-11 stores throughout San Diego for $3. For each bracelet sold, my Y will receive $1.

Local media has picked this up and word has gotten around. I have done one TV interview and the owner of the bracelet making company has done a few others. It’s been crazy but I’m excited about the possibility of making some money to benefit the kids at our Y. After all, 90% of all the kids we serve qualify for financial assistance.

Here’s hoping the Chargers win – because when they win, so do the kids.