Nelson Mandela: A Master Teacher for Humanity

Since the news of Nelson Mandela’s transition Home, I have felt a sense of unrest.  I did not feel sad when I heard the news, as I believe he fulfilled his purpose in this lifetime and I know he is resting in the Peace of God.  Instead, I felt a sense of responsibility.  Responsibility to do what?  To fully express my God-given gifts in each moment, to extend Love to all that surrounds me, to forgive no matter what, to “be the change” I wish to see in the world, and to never feel like my work is done until I know that I have given my all to being the Light that I was created to be.

I have already dedicated my life to serving God, as I have expressed many times on this blog, but this news lifted me out of any sense of complacency that I had unconsciously settled into.  Nelson Mandela was an incredible example of an unrelenting focus on freedom, compassion, peace, equality, and justice for all of humanity.  He didn’t just talk about these things, but he embodied it with every fiber of his being.  He didn’t settle for what was comfortable and easy, but he was relentless in this pursuit.

I want to be able to say the same.  When I make my transition, I want to do so in complete peace.  I want to know that I gave it all that I had, that I released all concern about persecution, and that I released my attachment to the ego and gave myself over fully to be used by the Spirit in each moment.  Nelson Mandela can indeed say all of this.  He was a Master Teacher for all of humanity in so many ways.  I am grateful to have witnessed such an example in this lifetime, and vow to be a living example in the way that God would have me be.  We all have the capacity to do and be all that he was and so much more.

Great Power and the ability to make an amazing difference in the world is not limited to a select few that have “special” gifts.  That very Power lives in us!  That is what the  lives of great Master Teachers, like Mandela, can teach us. Instead of viewing them as great exceptions, we can honor their example and allow God to move through us in ways that are just as powerful. They have passed us the torch, and it is up to us to shine brightly and create Heaven on Earth!

I read this story the other day, and had to share.  Such a beautiful demonstration of the freedom that comes when we forgive all things.  Rest in Infinite Peace, Madiba.  The Father is indeed well pleased.

The following is a true story about Nelson Mandela, as told by Former U.S. President Bill Clinton:

“That was pretty smart of you to have your jailers come to the Inauguration and all of that, but let me ask you something… didn’t you really hate them for what they did?”

Nelson replied…

“Oh, yeah, I hated them for a long time. I stayed alive on hate for 12 years. I broke rocks every day, and I stayed alive on hate. They took a lot away from me. They took me away from my wife, and it subsequently destroyed my marriage. They took me away from seeing my children grow up. They abused me mentally and physically. And one day, I realized they could take it all except my mind and my heart.”

He paused and then he continued…

“Those things I would have to give to them, and I simply decided not to give them away.”

And so I said to Nelson…

“Well, what about when you were getting out of prison? The day you got out of prison in 1990, it was Sunday morning, and I got my daughter up early in the morning, and I took her down to the kitchen, and I turned on the television, and she was just a little girl then, and I sat her up on the kitchen counter. And I said, ‘Chelsea, I want you to watch this. This is one of the most important things you’ll ever see in your life.'”

“I watched you walk down that dirt road to freedom. Now, when you were walking down there, and you realized how long you had been in their prison, didn’t you hate them then? Didn’t you feel some hatred?”

Nelson replied…

“Yes, I did a little bit. I felt that. And frankly, I was kind of afraid, too, because I hadn’t been free in so long. As I felt the anger rising up, I thought to myself, ‘Nelson, They have already had you for 27 years. And if you keep hating them, they’ll have you again.’ And I said myself, ‘I want to be free.’

And so I let it go. I let it go.”

Keep shining!

~Kandace

———————-——
Kandace Jones
———————-——
BLOG: http://www.kandacejones.com
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/livinginthelight
TWITTER: @coachkandace

About the Author: Kandace Jones

I used to live life shackled by fear, doubt, and worry. I put on a happy face while navigating my day-to-day duties, but I was emotionally drained, stressed, and unhappy. When I hit rock bottom, and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, I was determined to live life differently. I knew there had to be another way. Out of that determination, and guidance from Spirit, the "Living in the Light" blog was born. It documents my spiritual journey out of the darkness and into the Light. After nine months of publicly sharing my journey, and consciously releasing my attachment to the ego, I experienced a powerful spiritual awakening. I went from living in fear, doubt, worry, and stress to complete inner peace. My greatest passion has become assisting others on their own journey to inner peace. My spiritual memoir, From Stress to Peace: An Intimate Journal on the Journey from Living in Darkness to Living in the Light, is available now on Amazon and BN.com. Click the tabs at the top of the page to learn more about the From Stress to Peace 21-Day Challenge, Living in the Light Retreats, 1:1 sessions, and the Living in the Light Community - all of which are designed to support your journey to inner peace. I appreciate you taking the time to visit the blog and look forward to supporting you in any way I can!