Morgan, Mandela & God…

Morgan Freeman has been nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of South Africa’s first black president , Nelson Mandela, in the film “Invictus”. This film is a must see.

Few have shown the mental fortitude in the midst of extreme hardship like Mandela. We have a lot to learn from him: endurance, inner strength, pride, vision, surviving against the odds…and letting our light shine.

Invictus:, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul”…They were words Mandela recited to himself during the 27 years he spent in jail, imprisoned by a white government for fighting against apartheid. February 11 marks the 20th anniversary of the leader’s release. Following his release from prison, Mandela supported reconciliation and negotiation, and helped lead the transition towards multi-racial democracy in South Africa.

Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, the first black South-African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election..

These wonderful words from Marianne Williamson were used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 Inauguration Speech.

Our deepest fear
is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are
powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves who am I to
be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are we NOT to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened
about shrinking so that other
people won’t feel insecure
around you.
We are born to make manifest
the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just within some of us
it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light
shine we unconsciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our
own fear our presence
automatically liberates others.