
English: Young Nelson Mandela. This photo dates from 1937. South Africa protect the copyright of photographs for 50 years from their first publication. See . Since this image would have been PD in South Africa in 1996, when the URAA took effect, this image is PD in the U.S. Image source: http://www.anc.org.za/people/mandela/index.html (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: looking out over Johannesburg from Braamfontein. Nelson Mandela bridge over the train station. CBD in the background (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Unless you live under a rock, you probably heard that Nelson Mandela passed away. Mandela made me realize that after a horrific life one can live a good life. And that’s one good thing I learned from him. Don’t let the evil that prevented you from living a decent life continue once you’re free of the evil. If you harbor bitterness once you’re free, it will hurt you more than the people who caused the evil. So he got on with his life once he was free, and it was a good one. And the same thing can happen with our lives, once we’re free we can lead a good life.
Nelson Mandela was a good man. I’m sure he wasn’t perfect, but who is? None of us. Certainly not me. He was able to free the black citizens of his country from continuing to live under an oppressive government. Blacks in Johannesburg lived in miserable conditions and were not allowed to even work with whites, unless they worked as servants. Mandela made life better for a lot of Johannesburg citizens, black and white. And after spending 27 years in jail, he came out of prison holding no grudges, and showed no bitterness toward those who tortured him. It takes a strong man to forgive those who made his life miserable. As I sit here typing this blog, I can tell you, I feel bitterness with all the garbage I have to put up with, but thinking of Mandela, who lived through really horrific things, I tell myself that if Mandela can forgive those who harmed him, I, too, can some day forgive my enemies, and get on with my life and live a good one. He’s an inspiration to me, and will continue to be for the rest of my life, however long it is.
So, good-bye, Nelson Mandela. We will miss your presence here on earth. But I’m sure you’re going to a better place. The angels already have the gates open for you. I can see you walking toward those gates, an angel at each gate, waiting for you. You’re walking along a long path, you’re ramrod straight, wearing a suit and looking very handsome, and you have a big smile on your face. You’re finally going to rest, Mandela. Good-bye, Nelson Mandela. Thanks for your wisdom.
Related articles
- NEWS: Inuit leaders thank Nelson Mandela for his courage, insight (nunatsiaqonline.ca)
- Nelson Mandela: His Words, His Example (mytruthsetsmefree.wordpress.com)
- REMARKABLE QUOTES by Nelson Mandela (jesusnative.wordpress.com)
- NELSON MANDELA (by Tirupathi Chandrupatla) (wordsrhymesandrhythm.wordpress.com)