Today (July 18) is Nelson Mandela International Day.
The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution in 2009 to mark this day (his birthday) and to acknowledge his contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world.
A culture of peace throughout the world.
We seem a long way from that at the moment.
Everyone seems so angry.
The news is full of conflict, domestic violence, injustice, crime.
Politics is ugly and the struggle for democracy internationally seems almost lost when a president of the United States questions the result of an election and encourages people to fight.
Doesn’t America call itself, or its president, the leader of the free world?
Surely that requires continued commitment to supporting democracy, countering authoritarianism, and promoting freedom globally?
Mandela Day asks people around the world to take action and inspire change by making a difference in their communities.
I was reading an artice yesterday about the simple act of saying thank you.
Showing gratitude towards someone – for what they’ve said or done – no matter how big or small.
I don’t know how many times when watching a film or TV show we’ve seen someone ask for something – with rarely a please or thank you.
How many times do you hold a door open for someone, or let a car out into the traffic for it to be ignored, or unacknowledged?
How different do you feel when you get a smile and a thank you, or wave?
I don’t do it for a thank you – I do it because I choose to, it’s the right thing to do, it’s polite, kind.
I was brought up that after every birthday and Christmas we had to write thank you letters to everyone who had given us presents.
That maybe a bit old-fashioned now, but a thank you text or message would be nice.
So in honour of Mandela Day let’s take action and inspire some change.
Help someone, say or do something nice, be kind.
In return, always acknowledge someone when they do something nice or kind to you – say thank you, show gratitude, give a wave, smile.
Not just on Mandela day.
Every day.
We can all make a difference.
Thank you 🙏
Ann