This is a weekly series I’m writing in 2016 to focus on one of my three words for the year: beauty. Each Monday a post will explore some new aspect of beauty.

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. day. Yes, it’s a day off for some of us, but more importantly it’s a day in which we celebrate a man who stood firmly, yet peacefully, by his convictions. In a world that is so easily torn apart by disagreements and is so ready to argue and fight for what they believe in, Martin Luther King sets a shining example of how peace and conviction can live together.

Every year I make my Junior class read Martin Luther King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail. If you haven’t read it, take the time. It’s awesome. But to give a little context, King writes this letter to clergymen of his own church after being jailed for a non-violent protest. In it he talks about his convictions and he justifies his actions. He even scolds them for not being willing to take similar non-violent action for the things they believe in. And yet through it all, he remains peaceful and firm in his goals. It’s a beautiful letter.

One of the things that always strikes me about Martin Luther King, or people like Mother Teresa, is their ability to communicate deep, difficult convictions with peace. They aren’t pointing fingers and calling names. They are slamming the other side or flinging hateful verbage. They peacefully but firmly go at creating change. And that’s beautiful. It takes real talent to remain calm under pressure. It takes true strength of will to keep peacefully attempting to right a wrong.

Today it is so easy fight back with words and accusations. It’s almost easier to see the negative and point that out in a heated and often hateful way. But those forms of communication aren’t beautiful. They don’t inspire the heart or lift the soul. And while they might create a fire in the person, they are often fueled more by hate than understanding and compassion.

On the other hand, having firm convictions that you stand by through thick and thin; having firm convictions that you can rationally and peacefully articulate; having firm convictions that also allow you to look with understanding and compassion on the other side of the coin - that is where beauty lies. We are always more impressed with a person who has courage under fire, than with someone who is quick to fire back and easily flies off the handle.