“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.”
― Rudyard Kipling, The Collected Works
I appreciate this story of a story of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. I appreciate it for many reasons, but most of all because storytelling is what we are about, whether our creativity expresses in music, theatre, or film, writing or poetry, or visual arts. We tell stories to – among other things – encourage positive change and healing, however modest. In this video we learn how Nelson Mandela used storytelling as leverage to make a big dream come true. It’s the ultimate use of storytelling. It’s a bit of history and inspiration you won’t soon forget.
“We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.” Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)
South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician and philanthropist, former President of South Africa, first Black South African to be elected in a democratic election, a nationalist, a democratic socialist, a former President of the African Congress, husband, father, friend, inspiration, prophet
His work done. He is resting in peace … no doubt.
It is up to us to carry his vision forward.
Photograph in the U.S. public domain
JAMIE DEDES (The Poet by Day)~ I am a mom and a medically-retired (disabled) elder. The graces of poetry, art, music, writing and reading continue to evolve as a sources of wonder and solace, as a creative outlet, and as a part of my spiritual practice. The gift of blog offers a platform for having my say and a means to maintain off-line and online friendships with others who value the arts and humanities and favor the causes of peace.
The BeZine 
Story-telling has always been the way in which we teach and learn the best. Thank you for sharing, Jamie.
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Reading Stephen Spender’s poem last night, thinking of those who are truly great, whose lips tell of the Spirit, who remember, who hoard the desires and delight of Life and fight for it in their lifetime….yes, Nelson Mandela would be among these. There is a humility that must accompany this greatness. How else can you emerge from 27 years in prison and take up the perspective that it isn’t about you, it wasn’t done to you, the story is bigger, and that you must talk about that, forgive, move on from your individual story to that Spirit story of the ages?
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Nelson Mandela has been and will continue to be a great inspiration to me and many, many others. His work was immense. Thank you for the post, Jamie.
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