Nelson Mandela’s heroism, quiet strength and incredible courage are
qualities that we can all agree on, however difficult it may be for us
to agree on the value (or lack thereof) of other world leaders. He is
someone fully deserving of praise, emulation and remembrance. God bless
him for he was truly one of His best creations.
It takes a man like Nelson Mandela to change our perspective. No one
has had a greater reason to be bitter, angry, or to embrace violence in
the name of justice/revenge. No one was less likely to do any of these
things than he. Some speak of change and some effect it. Some
pontificate on the value of their ideas and some add enormous value
through the power of their ideas. Some speak endlessly and say nothing
while some waste no time in idle chatter and go about changing the world
for the better through their actions, their example, and their
principles throughout their lives.
Outgoing NYC Mayor Bloomberg very wisely named a school for Nelson
Mandela that he had visited much earlier in his life after being
released from an unconscionable imprisonment in South Africa. I wish we
could name a world for him. What a transformational figure and what a
reminder of the tremendous capacity of the human heart for compassion,
decency, and quiet dignity. I will never be able to think of him without
smiling as I have never seen him through the years in the best and
worst times of his life without a smile.
No matter where we live, no matter our station in life, we have been
enriched by his life and are poorer for his passing. Heaven is richer,
though, and he leaves us a boundless good will that will be his legacy.
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