Nelson Mandela - 5 Lessons You Taught Me

How could I ever forget you?

How could I ever not honor you?

Nelson Mandela has been a positive force in my life for as long as I can remember. He wasn't just a president, in fact, he transcended the position. He was a singular entity of sheer willpower that I will never forget. In my darkest moments, he has been there. In my surest moments, he was there.

Here are the 5 Lessons that he taught me:

1. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Education can be defined as two things, systematic instruction or an enlightening experience. Whichever way you do define it, Knowledge is Not power but the application of knowledge IS. Don't just learn something for the sake of learning it, find a way to apply what you know.

2. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

Do not be ignorant in your confidence or forget that we are all human, EVERYONE feels fear. Remain humble even when you do conquer.

When Oprah was reminiscing she told us about a backstage story involving Nelson. He was there for his first Iconic interview with her and he asked if he could meet the other guests of the show that day. When they told him that he was the only one, he was shocked to hear that the entire show was going to be about him. Now that's humble.

3. It always seems impossible until it's done.

Possibly my Favorite lesson! Going to tell you a story: A while back the world's strongest man was Sergei and for the longest time the most he could power lift was 600. Because he was so conditioned to believe that 600 was all he could lift. In his mind, body & soul, that is all he could lift but one day his trainers hatched a daring plan. Instead of his usual daily lift of 600, they put on 602. Now because of Sergei's belief, he lifted it! "Sergei! Sergei! Do yvou know vhat yvou've just done?!" They shouted. Ofcourse after that someone did 605, then someone else did 610 and so on and so on. 

Mount Everest must've seemed insurmountable until someone dared enough to do it and then how many have conquered it now? Hundreds. 

4. For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

We rise by lifting others. Do you really want to reach the top, clawing, kicking and screaming against all the others? Or would you rather find like minded individuals that her positive and empowering to share in your journey? I promise you have someone to share your dreams, fears, thoughts and ideas with is a truly magical experience. 

That being said, living a life in service to mankind and the betterment of this world, the only world we have is a beautiful purpose to have.

5. There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.

Where would we be if Nelson hadn't risked it all for the freedom of his people?
Can you imagine your children or you not knowing the True Wonder of Harry Potter had JK Rowling settled for the life society deemed fit for her?
What if Barack Obama settled for a quiet life in the suburbs or the doubt that "a black man could never be president of America"?
Dream Big. Take Massive Action.

#MandelaObama
Obama is in town to honor Mandela! 2018
Check out his lessons here:

Barack Obama: 5 Lessons You Taught Me

Bonus Lesson: 

In closing I'm going to leave you with an Infamous quote that Nelson is often mistaken for being the orignator of, it's by Marianne Williamson from her book A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."

© Enricoh Alfonzo ~ Alfonzo Words

• I’d love to keep connected with you! 

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~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

Inspire Tag: Karabo Mokgoko

Inspire. Create. Write.TM

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.

It's #MondayMotivation & good lord do I have a treat for y'all.
Ever hear the terms "Influencer", "Trend Setter", "Socialite"? Well, you're about to find out just who that applies to. You're about to meet an unbelievably powerful soul. She inspires me weekly.

I distinctly remember the day I got the notification that Kay_Angel had followed me. Upon opening up her profile I was blown away at the sight of her having +500K Followers! I felt so honored & humbled, mostly jazzed that I immediately followed back with furious retweets on her tweets haha. She really does send out beautiful, powerful & trend setting tweets. Motivational, Inspiring & wise. Over & above this, days after my retweet parade, I received a message from her saying that due to my retweet of her specific Hashtagged tweet I had been chosen to receive exclusive VIP tickets to the Comedy Roast Battle at MonteCasino - pics on Instagram.
Reason for me telling you this: I know first hand that Karabo gives back to her followers & interacts with them daily. That's what's in it for you if you follow this Amazing soul. You add value to your daily social media intake.

Tout sur Karabo Mokgoko

An adorably stubborn beautiful soul.

Surrounded by an air of mystery Karabo herself is the answer, a woman driven by her love for life.

A traveler; passionate about photography, loves being around friends and family.

A hard working law student and techie. Ms. Mokgoko is a foodie with great taste and good insight into brands.

She’s a free-spirited socialite. Catch up on her travels and experience through pictures, articles, and tweets. Journey with her.

1. What is the best advice you were ever given?

• Honestly, I cannot pick one. The best advice to me, is given at a time I need to apply it most in my life. 

2. Who inspires you and why?

• I learn something from everyone I meet, everyone has a story. And from that, I get inspired.

3. Everyone has bad days, how do you deal with a bad day?

• Music & that special someone :) 

4. Where do you go/what do you do when you need motivation?

• I go on social media, weird, but if you know where to look, if you follow the right people, social media becomes about motivation and positive vibes oh and books too! 

5. Failure is a big part of life, what has been your biggest failure to date?

• I guess when life happened and interrupted the plans I had. But a friend once told me "the best-laid plans are bound to be disrupted by events we never plan for, nor anticipated nor prepared for. it is how we move on that matters. sometimes the cruelty or pain of the disruption throws us offside, and you self-doubt whether there is something wrong. but you gotta push." One of the best pieces of advice I've ever received. 

6. What is your biggest achievement?

• So far, academically. Something I take pride in. 

7. Have you conquered any fears?

• I've temporarily overcome my fears. Conquered, no...I've realized that they will be a part of me. I'll always be terrified out of heights but I'll suck it up and go on a roller coaster whenever I'm at Gold Reef City or Ratanga Junction. Also, the fear of failure is what drives me to work hard so that I won't get to the point of "failure".

8. Music helps lift our mood, What is your go-to song when you need a pick me up?

• It depends on what got me down in the first place. Sometimes I just open Apple Music and just play suggested music and sometimes classical music, it calms the mind and soothes the soul. So I don't really have a specific song.

9. Complete the sentence, Happiness is…

• Your choice.

10. What do you do to clear your mind?

• Is there such a thing? *laughs* 

11. Life can be stressful, what are your top 3 things to unwind?

• Travel. Food. Time spent with ones you Love. 

12. Have you watched any inspiring movies? Do you have any favorites?

• Not that I recall. I don't think inspiring movies would be interesting to me.

13. What is your favorite inspirational quote?

• Let today be the day you love yourself enough to no longer just dream of a better life; let it be the day you act upon it ~Steve Maraboli

14. Do you listen to motivational speakers?

• No.

15. How do you cope with unpleasant people?

• Ignore. 

16. What is your best piece of advice?

• Hmmm...I'd say, Everyday, do something that will bring you a step closer to the life of your dreams. The future YOU will thank you for that.

17. Complete the sentence “When life gives you lemons…”

• ...Give them to Beyoncé. 

18. What is the most inspiring book you have ever read?

• 'The Alchemist', it's the best! A beautiful story and inspiration in one book, I mean, what more can you ask for?! 

19. Do you have a place to pray or meditate?

• No, no specific place, but it happens mostly in the bedroom. 

20. What is your motto in life?

• Do what makes YOU happy!

Quick Fire:

Inspirational Movie or Talk with a friend?

Creating Art or Listening to music?

Making food or Eating Food?

Being alone or Being in a crowd?

Writing or Singing?

Sea Vacation or Safari Vacation?

***

How awesome are those answers!?

How brilliant is it that she's a student!? And she's done this Amazing thing

of becoming an Influencer & building up an awe-inspiring Client base while still studying! 

Follow Karabo's amazing adventures & make some of your own even:

Twitter

Website

Vine

See the reason that I do these Tags especially the Inspire Tag, is to show you that "Anything is possible if you've got enough Nerve." JK Rowling. Ms. Rowling, Steve Jobs, Ricard Branson, Oprah, Ellen Degeneres, Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Steven Spielberg, Trevor Noah and the list goes on and on. What do they all have in common?

They are YOU!

Yes, they started out just like you, regular, human, with regular families, regular friends, regular skills. But they Dreamed, oh boy did they ever Dream. More importantly, they put in the hard work, the maximum effort & that is truly how they ended up where they are today. You don't need 7 secrets, 20 techniques or an all weekend program to be successful. You need only realize that EVERYONE who ever accomplished anything started exactly where you will start. Once you do, all that anxiety & doubt will disappear, in its place, a beautiful and powerful Magic will start to grow.

The Magic of YOU!

So I beseech you, start to Dream again, start to Believe in You because I already do. I have faith that all of you can & will accomplish incredible and insurmountable feats. Your dream is still there, I promise you it's still there. Reach out and Soar with it.

Want to read more Inspire Tags? Check out the previous ones:

What Motivates You?

Live Your Now

S.S Blake

Happy Birthday Karabo!!!

21/06/18

#KaraboTurns24

Read more about Karabo here:

Interview with Twitter trendsetter Karabo Mokgoko

SOCIAL MEDIA Q&A WITH BRAND INFLUENCER KARABO MOKGOKO @Kay_Angel

Hit me up if you'd like to be featured next.

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

Inspire Tag: S.S Blake

Happy Monday Motivation y'all

I can't wait for you to meet our next guest. She's got an amazing spirit & a brilliant mind but more importantly she's made it her mission in life to help others. How awesome is that?

Savannah Shea Blake is a Mindset and Manifestation Coach, which is a fancy niche of Life Coach. She works with ambitious people who know that they have the power to create their own reality. She, herself, is an incredibly ambitious woman who plans to change the world by being a positive influencer and helping one person at a time do the same.

“I believe that if everyone were free to live the life they want, they would create a better world for all of us to live in.”

-S.S.Blake

You can find all of her content and programs at Vannasana.com where she writes about how to manifest what you wish for and create your ideal life.

Vannasana:

Vanna(Savannah) + Asana(a stance you take in yoga that improves balance and strength)

1. What is the best advice you were ever given?

• My grandfather told me one time, “It’s easier to get forgiveness than it is permission.” It allowed me to stop hiding in the shadows, quietly and politely living life as others believed I was suppose to. This advice, in itself, gave me the permission I needed to start living life to it’s fullest and dive into every opportunity and experience that presented itself to me.
  This was the quote I used in the yearbook my senior year of high school.

2. Who inspires you and why?

• I’m the type of person that is inspired by fictional characters. No doubt there are some great real life people, but the ones that really make an impact on me personally aren’t real, haha. I have a whole vision board dedicated to those characters who inspire me:
• Lagertha Lothbrok (Vikings) and Teyla Emmagan (Stargate Atlantis) because women can be both great leaders and fierce warriors.
• Felicity Smoak (Arrow) and Dr. Daniel Jackson (Stargate Atlantis) because knowledge and intellect are invaluable and powerful.
• I try to make a point to take away some sort of thought or inspiration from everyone I come into contact with. Everyone has something to teach us and we always have something to learn.

3. Everyone has bad days, how do you deal with a bad day?

• It depends on what type of mood specifically I have found myself in. A shower, a nap or some meditation and yoga may do the trick. Some very loud music of either the dance or rock genre may flip it. A shot of rum may remedy the situation. Yesterday, I was in a dull mood until I remembered fridays mean Ancient Aliens marathons, haha. After a couple of episodes I was in a great mood!

4. Where do you go/what do you do when you need motivation?

• I’ll youtube some specific people and listen to all of their videos while I clean my house or I’ll look at my emails and see what great videos are on there. Mindvalley and Evercoach have some particularly great stuff and I highly recommend them.

5. Failure is a big part of life, what has been your biggest failure to date?

• I don’t believe in failures. Things that seem like “failures” are really only learning experiences and paths to success. Thomas Edison, when asked why he didn’t give up after failing so many times trying to create the lightbulb, said,”I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that don’t work.” Failure is the path to success. It’s all about perspective. Without our past experiences we wouldn’t be who or where we are in life now and in the future.

6. What is your biggest achievement?

• Learning how to love myself for who I am and allow myself to be me without judgement or expectations. This is the key to any success.
• Also, learning to forgive those in my life who have “wronged” me. I have learned to be thankful for them and to accept them as they are without any expectations because they helped shape me into who I am now.

7. Have you conquered any fears?

• I have conquered so many fears! Most of which in the past year or so!
• Fear of driving. This is the biggest one because I totalled 2 vehicles in 3 days when I was 18 and hardly drove at all for the next 6+ish years.
• Fear of speaking on camera. I’ve got a whole youtube channel now! (a work in progress and not hugely impressive YET)
• Fear of speaking to a crowd. (also a work in progress but getting better!)
• Fear of being a failure. Up until about a year ago I felt lost about where I was headed in life.
• I’ve also battled severe anxiety and panic attacks my entire life with both social and nonsocial situations. I’ve almost completely conquered it as well!

8. Music helps lift our mood, What is your go-to song when you need a pick me up?

• Music is a huge part of my life and my taste ranges anywhere from classical to rock to latin dance. It completely depends on my mood and changes periodically. To name a few current loves:
• Cello Song - The Piano Guys
• How I feel - Flo Rida
• R U Mine? - Arctic Monkeys
• River - BISHOP

9. Complete the sentence, Happiness is…

• Something you find within yourself. It’s a choice.

10. What do you do to clear your mind?

• Shower, meditate, yoga, sit outside, sing and dance. The best thoughts and ideas come when your mind is free and clear. I always try to make a point to be either working, or clearing my mind.

11. Life can be stressful, what are your top 3 things to unwind?

• Yoga
• Sing and dance
• Sit outside
• Stress is incredibly dangerous and should always be managed. I wrote a whole thing on it.

12. Have you watched any inspiring movies? Do you have any favorites?

• Cloud Atlas. I watched it like 6 times over the course of 2 weeks when I first saw it and then sat around and just thought about it for like 3 months afterwards.
• Idiocracy is a very good eye opener. Also quite hilarious. I recommend everyone watch it.
• I’m a huge Harry Potter fan. I was one of those people at the store at midnight for the release of the books.

13. What is your favorite inspirational quote?

• Nikola Tesla fascinates me. One of his quotes really stuck with me and may have been what led me to who I am today.

"If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.'"

14. Do you listen to motivational speakers?

• Yes. Daily. I’m always listening to some sort of speech or webinar. I’ll put my headphones in and clean the house or do yard work. It might be my hobby.

15. How do you cope with unpleasant people?

• Mostly I just avoid them. In the case of someone I can’t completely avoid, I try to remember that the way they are acting is because of some inner struggle that they are facing and has nothing to do with me. I try my best to come from a heart centered place, as most people just want to be cared about. Their unpleasantness is generally just a defense mechanism but sometimes I just have to put my headphones in and make myself busy.

16. What is your best piece of advice?

• There’s a way to do, be or have anything you want. You just have to want it enough to take the time to figure out how and then be brave enough to implement.

17. Complete the sentence “When life gives you lemons…”

• Experiment with making things with them and turn a profit.

18. What is the most inspiring book you have ever read?

• That’s hard to say. So many books have inspired me in so many ways. Inspiring us is their primary function, I believe.
• The Hunger Games - Inspired me to be self sufficient. (Read the books. The movie’s don’t measure up)
• The Handmaiden’s Tale - Inspired me to look at the world in a different way
• Harry Potter - Inspired me to never give up, no matter what.

19. Do you have a place to pray or meditate?

• Anywhere and everywhere. I guess I find myself doing it more often on my back porch, in the shower or bed and on the yoga mat. Any place is perfectly acceptable though.

20. What is your motto in life?

Do good; all else will follow.

Quick Fire:

Inspirational Movie or Talk with a friend?

Talk with a friend. Always.

Creating Art or Listening to music?

Listening to music

Making food or Eating Food?

Eating food. I disenjoy cooking.

Being alone or Being in a crowd?

Alone

Writing or Singing?

Singing. Though I do enjoy writing as well.

Sea Vacation or Safari Vacation?

Take me to the sea.

Let’s connect!

Website: Vannasana

Twitter: Vannasana

Facebook: S.S.Blake

Free Ebook: Manifesting Money + Anything Else You’d Like

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

The Bi-Polar Bear in the Room

Inspire. Create. Write.TM

"You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously."

Photo Cred: AlfonzoWords

Watch Overcomer - Animated Short 

wow!! so deep & moving!💔

Video title: Overcomer - Animated Short 
Filmed by: Hannah Grace / The Land Below
Ownership of the video goes to Hannah Grace

Gilded shadows pool on the floorboards, swirling in the ambient moonlight filtering through from the window. A man sits quietly to the left, watching the patterns forming in fascination. Amazing things really can be found in the quietest of moments, he thinks.

The man sits at his desk, a page out and a pen in hand, he tries for the life of him to form the words he knows need to be said. That familiar nagging tension stands locked within his shoulders, creeping down his spine. As if subtly trying to avoid his attention. Time was inching towards its inevitable climax and he had but one chance to get this right.

The man squares his shoulders in determined dominance, poised over the paper, with a firm grip on the pen. The tremors were thankfully, at a calming pace today. He takes a deep pull of oxygen to re-energize his brain and begins his writing.

Dear Seth

As I write this, you are asleep in the very next room curled up with your favorite teddy, all exhausted and seven kinds of adorable.

You have been born unto a very different time indeed. Humanity now has tolerance & acceptance for things that in my day, were of the ultimate blasphemy. Technology has almost entirely invaded every aspect of our lives and more and more people are becoming "self-taught". With the information all out there on the Internet webs at the touch of your fingertips. People no longer have the excuse of ignorance, when the information is now as easily accessible as just tapping away at their mobile phones.

Yet I feel, as your father, I owe you what needs to be owed. An account, an explanation and a plea. For even in such a world, preparations must be made.

Firstly, understand that your story may not be mine and I sincerely pray to all the gods that, I haven't believed in, that you aren't one of the afflicted in the way that I am. The experts as experts go tell me that you might just be like your old man after all. So it is with a heavy heart that I must convey this to you, in hope that you make a better go of it than I ever have.

Secondly, I would like to tell you just how proud of you I am. Supremely so. Of all that you are and all that I know you will continue be. You are truly the apple of mine eye and I thank all heavens of grace that you come from me.

So without ado, let's get to it.

There will come times when the day is a great, bright myriad of colors full of wonder and sun-touched moments. You will find that in these moments, you are a god in your own right. Able to create the best of experiences with the best of people in the best of exuberant emotional intentions. Such will be your power, such will be your gift. People will look unto thee with renewed motivation and awe. They will flock, oh they will flock.

But alas this is not the happiness that I would give up my soul for you to keep. For their will come times, just as frequent, maybe more so. When the world will swallow you whole, throw you against a mountain of hurt and then spit you back out. Bear with me because this is what I want you to know. You are perfectly normal in this, more so than most. Because what you feel is true and real. Don't let anyone ever tell you different. There were moments in my youth when I was told things like

"Man up."

"Do you just like the attention?"

"I thought you were stronger than this."

You see son, unfortunately, it is easier oh so much easier for people to judge externally than internally. To dish out advice when it is that very same advice their own lives are sorely lacking. It is in these moments that your true self will be defined.

At times, I remained flabbergasted. How could I be so jubilant and flawlessly happy in one moment? Then, like the snap of a whip; feel like all hope had been taken from the world.
The agony of it is almost unbearable, blurring the line between what is sane and what isn't. The anguish and guilt I felt were indescribable. Back then we didn't dare name it, back then we didn't dare justify it. None of it was known for being what was defined as a man. But now, now I tell you this in the wisdom that I urge you to listen to. There are no 1, 2, 3 easy fix steps here son. No magic pill or elegant soliloquy to face this monumental giant of despair for you. The only way through.. is through!

Every day will be a fight, the fight of your life. Every day will feel like an emotional roller coaster with no safety bar holding you down. Stand fast, my son, grip and hold on with maddening anger. For in this life, life itself is the greatest gift.
In the immortal words of John Green, "Pain demands to be felt."

You must, above all else, everything else. FEEL! Feel it all, let it all in. Embrace the darkness with open arms and let her consume you. Find comfort in the abyss, don't wait for that light to shine through or that hand to reach out to pull you through. If you're drowning, learn to swim. If you're falling, build your wings on the way down. Do not be like your old man, bottling it all up until the obvious and eventual explosion.

They will try, oh they will try so very much to "cure" you, change you and otherwise refuse to understand you. Never give this much thought, you are exactly as you were always meant to be. Live in the Helping of others but don't not live For them.
Showing them that there's more than rooted routines and predetermined roles.
It's only the crazy ones who ever change the world.

I am not long for this world now boetie, my journey must continue elsewhere but wherever I am, I want you to know that nothing will ever change. I am your father and you are my son. Such is our relationship that it will even transcend death. I will live on within you, through you and of you.

You have been such a man of the house these last few months, especially when the tremors started. The waking in the dead of night to help me through it all. Taking care of me and your mother without any thought for yourself. I know everyone has been focusing on how your mother is handling all of this. I know that not everyone sees all that you do and all that you are. Because they can't, no one can be with you 24/7. It's much easier, in the hustle and bustle of life, to overlook things. But I do son, I do. I see it all. And that matters above all for I will always be your biggest fan, your biggest supporter. In this life and the next.

Go forth, unto the world, be brave, be you and if you so desire it, help them wake up.

I love you boetie, with everything that I am, I love you.

Sincerely, your father
Emmerson Wailey

A single tear glides down the man’s cheek and falls silently, landing over the word “love”. The ink, not dried yet, smudges the word with deafening significance.

DeviantArt Cred: The BiPolar Bear
By paulhull69

***

Authors Note

One of the most important posts I've ever written, what was said here has deep, deep emotional ties to me. 

This was written in complete support to #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek & the #EndTheStigma campaign. The Blog Tag has been truly inspirational this week, helping their bloggers open up and share their amazing journeys in relation to this topic. I have absolute gratitude for them in this. #SharingIsCaring

Show Heart: Click through to the links above to help raise Awareness & End the Stigma surrounding Mental Health. 

Show Courage: If you have a story to tell, reach out. Whether anonymously or not. Or link us up to your journey posts. All are Welcome :-)

"I survived because the fire inside me burned brighter than the fire around me."

Try It: Create a Collage like this of Your Emotions

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres