"I am the master of my fate and the captain of my destiny"

I've always loved, respected, and admired Nelson Mandela for his strength, courage, unfathomable determination, ability to forgive, persevere, and despite all odds he overcame what was deemed to be impossible. He united a nation, fought against both white and black denomination, and gave everything for a greater cause-for something he believed to be worth fighting for. I have been reading his book, Long Walk To Freedom, and my admiration only grows with each passing page. He is everything I want to be-fearless, audacious, passionate, dedicated, humble, and patient just to name a few admirable qualities.

I have compiled a list of my favorite Nelson Mandela quotes:

• “There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”
• “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
• “I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”
• “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.”
• “No one is born hating another person because of the color 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.”
• “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
• “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.”
• “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.”
•  “A leader. . .is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.”
• “I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”
• “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.”
• “Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”
• “We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?”
• “Quitting is leading too.”
• “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
• “There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires”
• “We must use time creatively, and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.”
• “I AM THE MASTER OF MY FATE AND THE CAPTAIN OF MY DESTINY.”
• “Tread softly, Brathe peacefully, Laugh hysterically.”
• “Success in politics demands that you must take your people into confidence about your views and state them very clearly, very politely, very calmly, but nevertheless, state them openly.”
• “I shall stick to our vow: never, never under any circumstances, to say anything unbecoming of the other...The trouble, of course, is that most successful men are prone to some form of vanity. There comes a stage in their lives when they consider it permissible to be egotistic and to brag to the public at large about their unique achievements.”
• “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 only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”

Moral of the story: Try, try, and try again. Never give up. The road is tough, the road is hard, there will constantly be another mountain to climb, another obstacle to overcome. But do it with love. Do it with courage. And then, who knows what can be accomplished, and the impact you will have on others.

 Perhaps one day I will be as strong, bold, gentle, caring, and wise as Madiba. He is a great man. The world cannot forget what he has done and how far South Africa has come because of his determination and willingness to compromise. This is to you Nelson Mandela. In one month you'll celebrate your 94th birthday and I can only say thank you for everything you have done. May you have many happy returns!