Ashley Mwanza

In the standard of human conscience Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is surely the most famously revered in the contemporary world. Mandela is human and so whatever he achieved can be achieved by each and every one of us, we just have to try. Mandela is one of our great reminders of perseverance, courage, grace, forgiveness, and a love of freedom and humanity so great it will burn long after he is gone. His 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. He is known for his powerful words, such as, “There is no time to be bitter - there is work to be done.”

Mandela is a leader no prison cell, no intimidation, no threat could silence. A man whose belief in the future was so powerful that not even 27 years behind bars and barbed wire could destroy his dream that millions could be free. His charisma, self-depreciating sense of humour and lack of bitterness over his harsh treatment explains why for millions of people around the world, Nelson Mandela stands, as no other living figure does, for the triumph of dignity and hope over despair and hatred, of self-discipline and love over persecution and evil.

This Mandela is a unsophisticated construction: a good man that fought unspeakable injustice in the form of racial oppression. He reconciled with and forgave what was essentially undeserving oppressors, and won a democratic and multi-racial future for South Africa. “Struggling is the way I live”, are Mandela’s words that are related to South African struggle against tyranny. However for Mandela, the real meaning of life struggle was to overcome obstacles, to hope for something more, and to challenge yourself. In his struggle, Mandela discovered his greatest strength and his country.

Let us contemplate his example as we face so many seemingly insuperable problems and the power and wealth that always seem to stand in the way of liberty and transformation. These simple words of Mandela have a weight and a legitimacy few others could grant them: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” It’s my argument that Mandela really is remarkable, and that much of the fuss about him is warranted. Not because he is a saint, but because his personal narrative is such a powerful human story of redemption. And stories are powerful. Stories help us make sense of the world. They carry emotional weight. We remember them.

The movie Invictus came at the right time, as our ‘worlds’ (our lives, conflicts, etc) battle on various fronts we needed a reminder that all can be conquered if we put our hearts to it, and that unity can achieve great things. Mandela is a great character, somebody with flaws and human desires, someone with whom we can identify, we too have our flaws so he has shown us that we can overcome them. He changed from young firebrand to agent of peace and reconciliation. And through it he changed South Africa.

Mandela is a remarkably positive individual. He believes that people are actually good, and he is right we are. He also has a keen understanding of human nature, and unlike most leaders in our world, he has immense self-belief freeing him to interact in ways other politico have not been able to.

Mandela dedicated a good part of his life to groom himself into the mould of leadership, and was always mindful of his strengths and weaknesses in his public role. It was a huge but worthy investment he made. His prison years played a key role in his transformation, he apparently went in emotional and headstrong, and walked out balanced and disciplined. In his own words: “I came out mature.” He took to knowing his adversaries very well, a master tactician, who always played to his strengths, understood grey areas like no other, compromised without giving much away, adapted well at every turn life took. And that is a very interesting insight, because a good leader is really, really smart at the core with a genuine shell of humanness. While the humane qualities endear him to the masses, the smartness ensures that he does well in the leadership position. Mandela’s life is an excellent example to a lot of people who aspire to lead people, especially when they have no chance of leadership being thrust upon them. Being a leader is certainly hard work, but there are many lessons one can learn from the greats.

Related links:

1- The inspiring wisdom of Mandela

2- Mandela: His 8 Lessons of Leadership

3- Invictus Poem by William Ernest Henley; 1849-1903

4- Long Walk to Freedom

5- 9000 Days

Ashley Mwanza

Have you ever had times when you were working toward a goal and time stood still? When you were completely absorbed in the task at hand? These moments are incredibly productive and gratifying, aren’t they? I believe that is how hard work feels to people in the process of becoming great. It’s very different living it than viewing it from the outside. I strongly believe a path to greatness lies within each of us; we just need to discover it.

Your greatness can be defined as anything you wish; you simply need to do some self-reflection to decide what is most important to you.

Each of us, irrespective of means or circumstance, strives for some aspect of greatness in our lives. Each of us is a genius in some aspect of our existence. There are things I can do brilliantly, which others cannot. Similarly, there are things which others can do that I can’t. These are the things which drive us to greatness and empower all aspects of our world.

Unfortunately we often lose our way due to stress, outward pressures, distractions, reduced finances and a host of other impacting issues we allow to permeate our lives and derail us. Each of us has a true purpose in life: Many of us continue from the cradle to the grave without realising just what it is. Others still, have a perfect vision in their minds of just what it is they are destined to achieve and exactly what it will take to get to that special place.

‘Never be afraid of what you might achieve. Instead, be more afraid of what you might not’

The path to greatness is not paved with hard work; the path to greatness is paved with desire, love, faith, and joy. It only looks like hard work to those observing your journey. Mark Twain’s words remind us of the ‘diverging groups’ of people we will encounter and how we should react. He tells us to keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. ‘Small’ people always do that, he says but, the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.

"Be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them." William Shakespeare

We each strive to achieve some measure of greatness in this life. And why shouldn't we? We have unlimited potential for greatness, each one of us, because of our extensive pedigree. We are children of God, with the potential to become like Him. Realizing this makes us understand that with Him, nothing is impossible and greatness is within reach. Still, we wonder what makes a person great.

Since we are being constantly exposed to the world's definition of greatness, it is understandable that we might make comparisons between what we are and what others are-or seem to be-and also between what we have and what others have, Howard Hunter says. He goes on to say that, although it is true that making comparisons can be beneficial and may motivate us to accomplish much good and to improve our lives, yet we often allow unfair and improper comparisons to destroy our happiness when they cause us to feel unfulfilled or inadequate or unsuccessful. Sometimes, because of these feelings, we are led into error and dwell on our failures while ignoring aspects of our lives that may contain elements of true greatness.

Simply giving consistent effort in the little things in day-to-day life leads to true greatness. Little deeds of kindness and tasks of service or sacrifice given for another is another true quality of greatness. The sacrifice it takes to be a true friend, a faithful companion, and a loving parent are also marks of true greatness. Loving the Lord with all your heart, might, mind and soul and striving to help others find his love is an act of greatness. These things do not usually receive the attention or the adulation of the world, but the Lord who sees all fixes the reward.

Many times our eyes admire the successful people in business or different areas of activity; the more money, the better. Yet, God measures us by other standards, I am always amazed to see how easy it is to be great in the eyes of God… apparently easy, because it might be difficult, especially in our nowadays society when being the leader is the most hunted position; and I am not saying it is wrong to want to be the best in what you are doing! On the contrary, each of us should be the best versions of ourselves in whatever we are good at, however the “soft blanket of success” should be kept in its place and not over our eyes.

Jesus did not rebuke HIS disciples for their willingness to be the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven! He simply tells them how to achieve that, here are Jesus’ words: “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes ME.” Matthew 18:1-9

Theodore Roosevelt couldn’t have summed Jesus’ sentiments better than this: “The teachings of the Bible are so interwoven and entwined with our whole civic and social life that it would be literally - I do not mean figuratively, I mean literally - impossible for us to figure to ourselves what life would be if these teachings were removed. We would lose almost all the standards by which we now judge both public and private morals; all the standards toward which we with more or less resolution, strive to raise ourselves....There are those who believe that a new modernity demands a new morality. What they fail to consider is the harsh reality that there is no such thing as a new morality. There is only one morality. All else is immorality.... If we are to fulfil our great destiny as a people, then we must return to the old morality, the sole morality.

Now dear friends if you can live by this morality you would have reached the epitome of greatness. It can be done and it ought to be done. ‘Greatness is not governed by colour, creed, age or orientation: Greatness does not discriminate nor does it know boundaries. It does however depend upon dreams, persistence and self-belief. The moment you lose confidence in yourself, failure will follow’

Take acquiescent action today to create something magnificent. You have the power: You possess the skills and you are enamoured with the determination and skills to create and maintain a truly incredible existence. Whether you realize it or not, know that there is greatness within you. Even now, events are transpiring and life is unfolding in ways that will provide opportunities for you to express and fulfil your highest potential. Your job is to stay alert and aware, and to seize these opportunities as they arise.

Even in the darkest of times, do not lose hope. As long as you draw breath, there is work for you to do, work that enlivens and enriches not only your own soul, but all the world. In his masterful work, The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle wrote: You are here to enable the divine purpose of the universe to unfold. That is how important you are! Let the greatness within you shine for the world to be enriched. Remember each of us is great insofar as we perceive and act on the infinite possibilities which lie undiscovered and unrecognized about us.

“It takes great courage and inner strength to change from what is known and comfortable to something which is new and fresh. That which is unknown often contains our greatest potential. To seek our unknown potential by risking change is the path of true greatness. Such action brings untold blessings and much favour.” unknown