Mandela Day

Mandela Day

Today is Mandela Day in South Africa, in tribute to the legacy of former president Nelson Mandela. There are so many wonderful attributes to this great man, and he has truly changed the face of our country. However, what struck me as I was thinking about him this weekend is that everything in life works from the internal to the external. When you read “Long Walk to Freedom” Mandela describes the changes that he allowed to happen in his heart as he grew in wisdom and understanding. Despite everything he had been through, he was able to forgive and reconcile in his own heart first, and was therefore able to lead a nation to do the same.

Mandela and Gandhi were both fans of Tolstoy who said, “Everybody thinks of changing humanity, and no one thinks of changing himself.” If you want to lead, if you want to be part of change and growth, you will only be able to do what is in your heart to do. “The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Proverbs) To be an authentic leader, we all need to examine our hearts. 

“Be the change you want to see in the world”. (Gandhi)
It always starts with you.