“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them”
~William Shakespeare~
Who among us can deny the Greatness of this man and his achievements in bringing his nation to a better understanding of Unity and Peace as he put behind him his own personal oppression of imprisonment of 27 yrs.
I have been inspired throughout my life with this great man,
who forgave his oppressors and whose wisdom directed his followers to follow Peace and unity and that all were equal…
His wise words here speak for themselves..
Quote
“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” From his autobiography, Long Walk To Freedom, published 1995
He also went onto say in this same book..
Quote
“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.
Yesterday the 5th December 2013 A Great Man’s journey ended as he passed from this Life into his next Great Adventure.
He said speaking of Death in an interview for the award winning documentary ‘Mandela’ in 1996
Quote
“Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity.”
Thank you Nelson Mandela
~Born July 18th 1918 ~ Died Dec 5th 2013~
Age 95 years
In Love and Gratitude for All you have done in the name of Peace for our World
May you rest in Peace
Dreamwalker's Sanctuary 
Dec 06, 2013 @ 16:42:06
Thank you Sue. Love, David
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Dec 07, 2013 @ 16:26:35
Thank you too David 🙂
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Dec 06, 2013 @ 16:53:11
Very fitting, Sue.
Mark Mardell, the BBC’s North America correspondent wrote an essay in tribute to Nelson Mandela ( see here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25250279 ) from which I quote the following:
“When I shook hands with Mandela, a reporter covering Chancellor Gordon Brown’s visit to South Africa, he was already frail and it was already, for all of us, like visiting a shrine.
Mr Obama, quoting the man himself, said: “I am not a saint unless you think of saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”
It is as good a definition as any.
For many, Mandela is the closest the world has to a secular saint.
Over the next few days we will see his canonisation, and there will be very few who will want to play the part of devil’s advocate.”
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Dec 07, 2013 @ 16:29:07
His example of forgiving and moving forward with love instead of hate will remain within many hearts.. As his wisdom and teachings have spanned across generations.. Thank you for commenting Paul 🙂
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Dec 06, 2013 @ 17:34:52
I grew up with much hate and hostility … the abused will be abusers … not … never laid a hand on my kids … my heart is full of compassion for my fellow human beings … go figure, eh? Love you, sister, cat.
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Dec 07, 2013 @ 16:33:43
We all of us have a ‘choice’ Cat, and you chose to love not hate, or to pass on that hatred and anger that many hold onto to vent and justify their own hurts… You chose to hold dear to you and feel compassion… If the world would do just this one thing.. We would have no wars.. We would only wish to serve, if we all shared our hearts this way… Love you too 🙂
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Dec 06, 2013 @ 17:58:10
Bless your heart for sharing this lovely tribute. A lovely post for such a lovely human. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings, Gina
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Dec 07, 2013 @ 16:43:19
Thank you Gina, for taking the time to visit and comment.. lovely seeing you 🙂
Blessings back xox
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Dec 06, 2013 @ 18:11:56
Madiba His name in south africa A man with a heart as big that we cant imagine.
we wont forget He fought without arms But with compassion.
Respect …
Love
MJ
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Dec 07, 2013 @ 16:44:47
A very fitting name MJ, and one that will be written down in our history books for years to come 🙂
Blessings to you
Sue xox
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Dec 06, 2013 @ 18:51:06
The world has lost a Giant.
RIP Dada…
Prenin.
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Dec 07, 2013 @ 16:43:50
A giant is right dear Prenin, Love back my friend x
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Dec 06, 2013 @ 19:02:30
Yes, indeed – perfect title, Sue. May this great great soul rest in peace.
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Dec 07, 2013 @ 16:48:22
Thank you Marina, I think if any soul came to earth to strive to help bring Peace, then Nelson Mandela can truly rest in his final resting place knowing he left a legacy that helped bring so many together from a very traumatic time in history in South Africa ..
Love back Marina, Enjoy your weekend xox
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Dec 06, 2013 @ 19:41:25
Sue, this is a beautiful tribute to this great man. Quel homme… !
Big hugs.
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Dec 07, 2013 @ 16:50:22
Cha, thank you, Lets hope the world sees more great men strive to follow in his footsteps.. Love and Blessings
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Dec 06, 2013 @ 20:08:51
Sue, I was saddened to hear the world lost another good soul, just when we need his wisdom the most. His words will live on and you have done a great job in spreading his dream of peace.
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Dec 07, 2013 @ 16:58:27
Thank you Lois, his wisdom and quotes are astounding… He is perhaps what we would call an ascended Master.. Whose job was well done in a time of great need as we saw the divide and separation of people. His forgiveness was the pivotal point in showing others not to hate ..I hope that not only his words live on, but his ideals and others will follow to uphold them..
Love to you my friend Enjoy your weekend..
Im working Sunday this week… 🙂
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Dec 07, 2013 @ 21:28:52
What I find amazing was how he changed his life to forgive. We forget he came from a basically tribal area that lived with warring and was a part of that early on. He wanted better for his people and wanted to end the killing.
Don’t work too hard.:-)
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Dec 06, 2013 @ 22:55:36
Beautiful tribute Sue and yes, he was a man who created history. People who move ahead inspite of any hurdles are brave to find their destiny!
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Dec 07, 2013 @ 16:59:44
Exactly, he overcame many of his own and showed a way for others too to bridge the gap and come together in unity .. Thank you Ruchira.. Enjoy your weekend… xx
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Dec 06, 2013 @ 23:25:16
thank you for this tribute. I doubt I could endure even a fraction of his trials and react with such compassion .
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Dec 07, 2013 @ 17:02:27
It takes a special person to let go of hatred and hold no grudges especially knowing what he endured.. But this was what others saw in him, and so he inspired others to work together as the barriers of racial hatred were broken down.. As his love and compassion showed the way forward for others to come together in Unity…
Thank you Linda xox Love and Blessings to you
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Dec 07, 2013 @ 02:42:26
Beautiful tribute Sue. And I loved all the quotes you chose for this post, specially the one about walking up the hill.
There have been a lot of sadness by his passing but I still love this one status update on Facebook which chose to be full of gratitude and love for his soul to choose to walk his life journey. He has as he has been quoted to say…done what he meant to do..and his soul and spirit should be celebrated!
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Dec 07, 2013 @ 17:05:17
Yes the world should indeed be grateful for all his works and for all his suffering… Many at that time suffered greatly.. His forgiving helped others move their thoughts to work together .. I am sure there is a huge celebration at his home-coming and a Pat on the back for his life mission which in many of the worlds eyes was truly achieved .. xx
Love and Blessings Shree and enjoy your weekend.. xx
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Dec 07, 2013 @ 10:18:39
Wünsche dir einen besinnlichen zweiten Advent er war ein großer Mann und wird mir immer im Herzen bleiben.Liebe Grüße und Freundschaft.Gislinde
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Dec 07, 2013 @ 17:07:00
Danke Gislinde, Ja, er war in der Tat ein großer Mann, dessen Leben zum Besseren verändert viele mehr … Liebe, Sie und genießen Sie Ihr Wochenende mein Freund xx Sue
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Dec 08, 2013 @ 00:08:02
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall see the Kingdom of God…” RIP Nelson Mandela.
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Dec 09, 2013 @ 15:39:44
So true Wolfie… so very true xox
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Dec 11, 2013 @ 19:06:23
Yes so true Wolfie, And I am sure the door is wide open 🙂
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Dec 08, 2013 @ 01:19:18
“God does not call the prepared but He prepares them that He calls”
If we would only yield our will to Him that sees further and around all corners; we to could be great and maybe live so long!
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Dec 09, 2013 @ 15:39:18
Hi Sam, so good to see you my friend 🙂 Yes so true in that many are prepared for work much needed to bring humanity to a greater understanding of what it is to be brothers and sisters upon this planet… He did much to unite his Nations people..
Wishing you well Sam and thank you so much for adding your voice here.. Loved your visiting again
Sue
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Dec 08, 2013 @ 05:24:53
That thing, no-one is born hating another person is so true. There was so, so much hate. I saw a documentary on what Mandela achieved. He was most certainly, most certainly a shining beacon, a way to follow.
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Dec 11, 2013 @ 19:02:02
Yes his achievements in bringing so many together in shedding their prejudices and uniting a more tolerant nation is indeed a wonderful achievement… Thank you for adding your thoughts here Noeleen 🙂 Hugs xox Sue
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Dec 08, 2013 @ 07:00:06
Wonderfully done Sue.
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Dec 11, 2013 @ 18:52:12
Val thank you so much 🙂
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Dec 08, 2013 @ 14:02:01
I feel like that second quote you shared so speaks to my own journey. Though my adventure is very different from Mandela’s, he had such a gift for bringing out the “human” in everyone. I would hope – beyond hope – that I would have the same capacity for forgiveness that he did. What an amazing, amazing soul he was.
So good to be here on this fine Sunday morning. 🙂 My semester is nearly over both with teaching and my studies – but it’s been keeping me busy. I hope you are having a wonderful season. HUGS
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Dec 09, 2013 @ 15:31:13
Yes his capacity for forgiveness was something that I feel he passed on which allowed much healing to take place within his Nation… Just showing us that if we open up our hearts in love, how great strides can be made within our communities…
You sound busy Cyndi, I am busy here too but not as busy as you by the sounds of things.. At least I am not studying.. I put up a few decorations today, as we do not celebrate Thanksgiving here…I have been busy doing some preserves of chutney for some extra gift stocking fillers… ..
Thank you so much for your wonderful visit 🙂 xxx
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Dec 14, 2013 @ 13:09:08
Great tribute Dreamwalker for a man born to a generation crying out for him. Nelsen Mandela united Africa and the world for peace in our time. His dream lives on in the hearts of mankind. Your presentation is a most honorable one!
peace, Eddie
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Dec 15, 2013 @ 16:06:13
Eddie, thank you most kindly, He was indeed a Great Man, and as you say, his Nation were ready for such a man to unite and lead them to a better way of unity with each other
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Dec 15, 2013 @ 13:13:15
Thank you Sue this was very fitting to a great man.
Sorry not been around for a awhile
Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Will catch up .
Hugs Sheila x
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Dec 15, 2013 @ 16:45:16
Sheila, thank you, this is such a busy time of year, I am only just catching up with many myself 🙂 Big hugs my friend xoxox Love Sue
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Dec 16, 2013 @ 21:16:42
Thank you Sue for this great post honouring Madiba (we are all connected…so we can call him this way no matter where we come from or our interactions), a truly extraordinary man….His presence has left a mark in our hearts and his spirit and teaching shall live on and help new generations to follow the greatest energy of Love…xx
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Dec 16, 2013 @ 21:20:23
The man with the BIG HEART… I so live in hope that his teachings will live on and inspire others to hold compassion and forgiveness to the levels his great heart has shown.. Thank YOU!
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Dec 24, 2013 @ 09:35:16
The world is poorer for the loss of this man.
I particularly noted his quote,People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.
Regards
Ian
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Dec 24, 2013 @ 14:25:50
Yes his wise words have touched many a heart Ian.. Lets hope his legacy will live on
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