Nelson Mandela - An Inspiration
We have just said farewell to one of the greatest human beings of our time if not the greatest - Mr. Nelson Mandela. What is there for me to say that have not been said? Nothing! All the superlatives were out there in the press. All world leaders were there to say their farewell and delivered their eulogy. Without being disrespectful to any one of them, how many can do what Nelson Mandela did?
Nelson Mandela have his dignity taken away from him. Not just his but his family and his people. He suffered, lost his freedom, everything else and went to prison for 27 years for doing nothing wrong. Yet, when he was released, he sought no revenge, he did not plot against those that did him harm and grave injustice. He did not galvanised his people to hit back and there was a complete absence of hatred and he freely forgave. He preached reconciliation.
Without forgiveness, there would be no healing and without healing there will be no love. We are talking about moral authority here. He was not even interested in power as he led as President for only one term. He was also selfless with such a generous spirit. In this world we lived in, it is just so easy to take side - your own side. How often do you see blatant injustice dished out everywhere with extreme favouritism and then they could even justified it.
He never sought attention or to make himself big and important. How many of you can do that? Above all, he has such great humility. All people in this world would crave to be led by a leader of great moral authority, who are genuine and can inspire them. It is easy to find clever people, cunning ones, people with guile, people who can twist and sweetened words. People who manipulate, betray, crave for power, etc. He was simply a man of sincerity.
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali said that Mandela "taught us forgiveness on a grand scale". "He was a man whose heart, soul and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars or the burden of hate and revenge."
In 1995, at the Rugby World Cup final, he wore the colours of the Springboks and the thousands of white rugby supporters were shouting his name. It was a defining moment that was made into a movie by Clint Eastwood. Mandela then said: "Sports has the power to change the world". "It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does".
Mandela once said: "Sports can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is even more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination".
Obviously, Nelson Mandela understood the true meaning of life. He came and made this world a better place. As he was laid to rest, let us all not forget the lessons such that some time from now, all would be forgotten. It should remain etched forever in our hearts this great man of forgiveness and love. This is certainly a man of God. He lived the example. If each one of us were to have a bit of his quality, this world would immediately be a better place. RIP sir!
What better way to remember the great man by his quotes:
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others".
"I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death".
"After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb."
"No one is born hating another person because of the colour 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."
"It always seems impossible until it is done".
"I learn that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
Nelson Mandela have his dignity taken away from him. Not just his but his family and his people. He suffered, lost his freedom, everything else and went to prison for 27 years for doing nothing wrong. Yet, when he was released, he sought no revenge, he did not plot against those that did him harm and grave injustice. He did not galvanised his people to hit back and there was a complete absence of hatred and he freely forgave. He preached reconciliation.
Without forgiveness, there would be no healing and without healing there will be no love. We are talking about moral authority here. He was not even interested in power as he led as President for only one term. He was also selfless with such a generous spirit. In this world we lived in, it is just so easy to take side - your own side. How often do you see blatant injustice dished out everywhere with extreme favouritism and then they could even justified it.
He never sought attention or to make himself big and important. How many of you can do that? Above all, he has such great humility. All people in this world would crave to be led by a leader of great moral authority, who are genuine and can inspire them. It is easy to find clever people, cunning ones, people with guile, people who can twist and sweetened words. People who manipulate, betray, crave for power, etc. He was simply a man of sincerity.
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali said that Mandela "taught us forgiveness on a grand scale". "He was a man whose heart, soul and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars or the burden of hate and revenge."
In 1995, at the Rugby World Cup final, he wore the colours of the Springboks and the thousands of white rugby supporters were shouting his name. It was a defining moment that was made into a movie by Clint Eastwood. Mandela then said: "Sports has the power to change the world". "It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does".
Mandela once said: "Sports can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is even more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination".
Obviously, Nelson Mandela understood the true meaning of life. He came and made this world a better place. As he was laid to rest, let us all not forget the lessons such that some time from now, all would be forgotten. It should remain etched forever in our hearts this great man of forgiveness and love. This is certainly a man of God. He lived the example. If each one of us were to have a bit of his quality, this world would immediately be a better place. RIP sir!
What better way to remember the great man by his quotes:
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others".
"I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death".
"After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb."
"No one is born hating another person because of the colour 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."
"It always seems impossible until it is done".
"I learn that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
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