Sharing a Few Thoughts in a Tribute to the Great Man that is Nelson Mandela.

Article Title: Sharing a Few Thoughts in a Tribute to the Great Man that is Nelson Mandela.
Submitted by: Craig Lock
Category/Subject: Nelson Mandela, 'Madiba', forgiveness, peace, social and political issues/problems
Craig's new blog with thoughts and extracts from various writings is at craiglock.wordpress.com and
http://en.search.wordpress.com/?q=%22craig+lock%22
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981 (Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, 'spiritual writings' (how 'airey-fairey'), words of inspiration and money management (how boring now, craig!)

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GREAT SOULS: NELSON MANDELA ON FORGIVENESS

His strength of will and character.

"Forgiveness is not an occasional act - it is an attitude of mind."
- Martin Luther King

"The noblest revenge is to forgive."
- Thomas Fuller, English author (1608-1661)

Nelson Mandela's ability to rise above his conditions, to stay positive and remain focussed. His dignity, humility and character is a model for everyone. His total lack of bitterness. Mandela embraced his enemies with love.
"There is no time to be bitter; there is work to be done."

If I don't forgive my enemies, I deny my right to have power over them."
- Martin Luther King (or Robert Kennedy)??

A fellow prisoner on Robben Island (Eiland) said this about 'Madiba' (Mandela's clan name):
"He took Christianity to the market-place."

Mandela's "almost Christ-like selflessness", his 'almost divine grace' and firm BELIEF in his role, his mission for his country - he never wavered in his convictions. One man's commitment to a noble cause - what one man can do preaching a spirit of reconciliation.
"My mission is embracing the wounds of my country." "He gives pride to all black people".

What one man (or person) can do with a noble cause... one far bigger than oneself!

A tribute to the symbolic presence of dignity and strength.
"One man* can make a difference."
- Robert Kennedy

* or rather 'person' in today's world

"Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the opression or persecution of others."
- John F Kennedy

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
- Martin Luther King, Jr (1929-1968, American Black Leader, Nobel Prize Winner, 1964)

"Violence breeds violence, repression brings retaliation, and only a cleansing of our whole society can remove this sickness from our soul."
So eulogises Robert Kennedy after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr in April 1998.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking;
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously
give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others."

- Marianne Williamson

I love these words from Marianne Williamson as used by Nelson Mandela in his inaugeration speech as State President at South Africa's first Democratic Election in 1994. I have admired and respected 'Madiba' for many years - "his graciousness and the nobility of his unique spirit of reconciliation". Nelson Mandela’s integrity, his sense of humour, his forgiveness of human frailty, his "immense generosity of spirit", his faith in reconciliation - and above all, by the sacrifices he personally made. All this ensured his (and my) "beloved" country would remain a beacon to the world, an example of a different mode of thinking, a new way of viewing problems as challenges and opportunities. And as South Africa (and the African National Congress) now has a new President to succeed Thabo Mbeki, it is vitally important that this new democracy succeeds in the future, not just for South Africa’s sake, but as 'a beacon of hope' for the entire world.

Many small (though significant) steps by many 'ordinary (what's that?) little people with big hearts and souls' will eventually reach their destination, their destiny.

Shared by Craig Lock ("Information and Inspiration Distributor, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder")

"Whatever you are
no matter whether it is
a brain surgeon, an artist, a street sweeper,
always just be the best you can possibly be."

P.S: In terms of the following beautiful words (definition of success), the life of Nelson Mandela (also my dearest departed mom, Hazel) has been a glorious triumph
... and yours can be too!

"The definition of success:
To laugh much; to win respect of intelligent persons and the affections of children;
to earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others;
to give one's self; to leave the world a little better,
whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
to have played and laughed with enthusiasm,
and sung with exultation;
to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived...
this is to have succeeded."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson????

Craig's new blog with thoughts and extracts from various writings is at craiglock.wordpress.com and
http://en.search.wordpress.com/?q=%22craig+lock%22

"Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace."
- Albert Schweizer

"When the world is filled with love, people's hearts are overflowing with hope."
- craig

"Deep within us there is a flame that burns, and that flame is the spark of God. In some it burns brightly, in others it is barely distinguishable; but always it burns...and with love, tolerance and acceptance of others the flame gets higher and brighter. We can help others to kindle this flame by seeing the good in them, even if they don't see it themselves."
- anon (and words slightly adapted by craig)

"The task ahead of you can always be overcome by the power within you...and the often seemingly difficult or even "impassible") path ahead of you is never as steep with the great spirit that lies within you."

"May you have the courage to speak your truth, may you find peace within, and may we all one sunny day know peace on earth."
- Debbie Milam

"Let us reach for the world that ought to be, that spark of the divine, that still stirs within each one of us."
- the words of US President, Barack Obama in accepting his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway

"TOGETHER, one mind, one heart, one soul, one life at a time, let's encourage, impact, uplift and perhaps even inspire the world. YOU be the change you want to see in the world."

"Blessed are the peace-makers... because they will accumulate plenty of Frequent Flyer points."

To dearest mom, Hazel, your generous and "wacky" spirit lives on...forever