Tribute to Nelson Mandela
One of the marks of a truly enlightened person is their life’s work. It seems the great suffer greatly as they continue in their work to change the world by enduring the bias and prejudice they encounter. One may ask “Why” do such men and women continue to speak out against oppressive authorities in a non violent and inspirational way? Life could be so much easier for them if they would just conform. “Difficulties break some men but make others.” (Mandela February 1975)
Nelson Mandela was such a being who is well on his way (if not already) to being proclaimed a Saint in the hearts and minds of millions of people the world over. “I was made, by the law, a criminal, not because of what I had done, but because of what I stood for, because of what I thought, because of my conscience.” (Mandela 1962) Ask yourself… is it possible for you (in some small way) to stand up to the trials and tribulations that make ordinary people enlightened souls? Is it possible to grow from life’s trials and return inspiration by example, which in turn makes the world a better place? The answer my friend is YES. If you think you would like to do so then you are 1/2 way there. The other haft begins when you see an injustice and you say something, or do something, or dare to speak out in front of people. Yes a scary thought at first. You just might focus the attention on yourself. I assure you its better to do something, then to go away and complain later about the injustice you witnessed. Sometimes all you need do is say “stop that”.
“Without democracy there cannot be peace.” (South Africa, May 9, 1992)
If you want to become enlightened and save the world… start with doing something about “false witnesses”, that is those rumors misguided folks spread so lavishly everyday. Ask the rumor spreader if they know the facts for them selves or are they just spreading that juicy bit of information without checking the circumstances or for the truth them selves? Tell the subject of the rumor what is being said about them. Then take a huge leap after you consult with the subject of the rumor, (and find out the “facts” as the truth is usually a whole lot different then the rumor) and do something no one would expect…..go back to the spreader of this poison and tell them what you found out. “I came to accept that I have no right whatsoever to judge others in terms of my own customs.” (Mandela 1975) More then likely what they said with such authority, was so far removed from the truth, that you will wonder why would they act so maliciously. “When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace.” (Mandela 1994)
Several things will happen right away…no one will want to tell you rumors anymore. They don’t want to be embarrassed…and the subject of the false tale will become your friend. And oh yes …your integrity with shoot up a couple of notches with your friends. “Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.” (Mandela 1995)
I had great respect for Nelson Mandela. He was a simple man who rose to the occasion when he saw the abuses in his homeland, a society based on inequity and prejudice. God bless him for his faith and willingness to stand up to the strong when they were in the wrong. “Social equality is the only basis of human happiness.” (Mandela August 1, 1970) Not everyone can or wants to be a Nelson Mandela. However we all can, in some small way, imitate him as a way shower to do good. Let us carry his torch of truth everyday in our lives and not look the other way or say well they didn’t do me any harm, when we see someone being “bullied” or rumored about. Here are some of Nelsons word to inspire you.
God Bless you Nelson Mandela….in the Heaves above as you look down may you feel our Love and Respect we are grateful.
Nelson Mandela quotes:
“If I had my time over I would do the same again, so would any man who dares call himself a man.” (After being convicted to five years hard labor, November 1962)
“I can only say that I felt morally obliged to do what I did.” (April 20, 1964)
“When people are determined they can overcome anything.” (Nov. 14, 2006)