Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela 1918-2013

I'm sure you've already heard, but yesterday the world lost a great man. A man who was strong and inspirational, and symbolic in that he remained both of those things despite some of the toughest times and trials a person can endure. Nelson Mandela was known for his longstanding fight against South Africa's white supremacist government, which lead him to be arrested, convicted of conspiracy to overthrow the government, and sentenced to life in prison. In 1990, after serving 27 years in prison, he was set free by the then-President F.W. de Klerk. From there the two worked together to avoid a civil war, earning them both a Nobel Peace Prize. He later became the first black South African to hold office when he served as President of South Africa from 1994-1999. His government focused on tackling institutionalized racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. 

Nelson Mandela is one of those rare, special people that shares the same light with the likes of Gandhi and Martin Luther King. He will live forever as a symbol and his words I imagine will continue to touch and inspire. On that note, here are some of my favourite quotes of his: 

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." 

"Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair." 

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it."

"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination." 

"As I walked out the door toward freedom I knew that if I did not leave all the anger, hatred, and bitterness behind, that I would still be in prison."

"It always seems impossible until it's done." 

I noticed this morning that Pinterest has put up a section "Honoring a man who inspired millions with his words and actions". If you have a moment you should check it out.

Phyllis Diller... rest in peace

Because I am a child of the 80's I did not watch Phyllis Diller rise to stardom and pave the path for future female stand-up comedians. But it's hard not to know who she is as she was quite the character. She passed away yesterday. In memory of her I wanted to share some great quotes of hers...

Phyllis Diller, 1917-2012

"Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight."

"I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them."

"The reason women don't play football is because 11 of them would never wear the same outfit in public."

"What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day."

"The only time I ever enjoyed ironing is the day I accidently got gin in the steam iron."

"My photographs don't do me justice - they just look like me."

"I want to put a ding in the universe"

News broke last night that Steve Jobs passed away at the age of 56. He was the founder, and Chairman of Apple Inc. Easy fact. But wow, was he so much more.

Upon hearing the news my thoughts were that he didn't just change Apple. He changed the way we interact with technology and with each other. He changed the world. I truly believe that.

It's that thought that also makes me scared. Scared that we have lost a brilliant and innovative man. It's not everyday that someone changes the world! What does this mean for the future of technology? Logically I can put together that Steve had previously been sick, forcing others to takeover the helm of Apple, and contributed to where it is today. There is no doubt though, that the Apple we know and love, the Apple whose products are ubiquitous throughout the world, was brought there by Steve. I hope we can make him proud and that we can somehow move forward and continue to be creative and innovate in the way he was. Let's think bigger, dream harder, and become more.  

"I want to put a ding in the universe". Well he certainly did.

Steve Jobs 1955-2011