It has not even been 24 hours since Nelson Mandela’s time here on earth came to an end. Most reading this probably know that Mandela has been in poor health for quite some time. Still, when that day finally comes, it seems so surreal.
Since his release from prison in 1990, Mandela’s name has stayed prominent among most circles involving leadership. If there was ever a man who understood the power of influence, it was Mandela.
If you have run in any of John Maxwell’s circles, you no doubt know that meeting Mandela is now one thing John had on his bucket list he will never fulfill. He got close a time or two but it just never worked out. I have heard John talk about Mandela numerous times and it always impressed me how well thought of Mandela was in John’s eyes. No doubt Maxwell is a Leadership Icon himself, but for him to think so highly of another leader clearly indicates how highly respected Mandela was.
I am always impressed listening to leaders speak of other leaders. There is just something special about the acknowledgement of greatness between peers. I can’t honestly say that I have studied the life and times of Nelson Mandela, nor could I tell you that much about his political views, but I do know he had incredible influence.
I don’t think I can really add to the mass amount of information currently being posted about Mandela’s life but there is one thing that I have been thinking about. Mandela was loved by millions. He was someone that so many respected and adored. So the question that comes to mind to me is “Am I the type of person that people will look up to and appreciate?” “Am I on anyone’s bucket list?”
I don’t know if I am or not but it does make me think. What do you need to do to be on someone’s bucket list. What is the one thing that could make the difference? I think it is integrity.
Think about someone you look up to. Someone you would like to spend time with. Why? For me, it would be because they are real. They do the right thing for the right reasons. Integrity represents something you can believe in. We all have to make choices and I realize nobody makes the right choice every time. It’s just that some do it much more than others.
I think this quote by Mandela sums it up for me; “If I had my time over I would do the same again. So would any man who dares call himself a man.”
I think that describes integrity to a certain extent. People of integrity don’t play the do-over card. [Tweet Now] They own their mistakes and learn from them. If I dig a little deeper into this quote with my personal take, I hear this;
“I do what I do because I believe in it. I know I will make mistakes but that is the nature of man, and I would not do over what I felt was the right decision even if the outcome was not exactly what I desired. Why? Because without mistakes there is no learning and with no learning there is no progress.”
I am not making a statement regarding Mandela’s beliefs or actions, but I make a bold statement that he believed in what he was doing and stood by it, even risked his life for those beliefs. How many people can you say that about?
A short question for you today, but I believe a powerful one; “Who’s bucket list are you on?” RIP Nelson Mandela
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Barry Smith 12/6/13 photo courtesy of free images © Building What Matters 2013
