People from all across the globe are celebrating Nelson Mandela’s 94th birthday and remarkable life by taking part in Mandela Day. Becky Aaronson, my friend and blogger at The Art of an Improbable Life guest posts about it today.
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”?–Nelson Mandela
Citizens worldwide are devoting 67 minutes of community service to pay tribute to Mandela’s 67 years of service, and the profound impact South Africa’s first black president, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and anti-apartheid activist has made on the world.
I encourage you to take part in Mandela Day too. “The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good.”
Click here to read 67 Ways to Change the World. I think you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to make a difference.
How do I plan to make a difference today? By doing three simple things: 1) Sharing this idea and hopefully inspiring others to do the same, 2) Delivering meals to homeless people here in Santa Barbara, and 3) Donating art supplies and clothing for a project my friend, Lori Robinson, is supporting in Africa called Dancing Hope.
How has Nelson Mandela inspired you? Will you be participating in Nelson Mandela Day? If so, how do you plan to make a difference (big or small)? One way you can take part is by sharing this post so others can be made aware of this special day and the numerous ways to get involved.
Check my blog tomorrow and read about what it was like for my husband Jeffrey to be at the frontline of history, photographing Nelson Mandela when he became South Africa’s first black president in 350 years.
Becky Green Aaronson is a freelance writer living in Santa Barbara, CA. Her work has been published in an eclectic range of magazines and honored with several literary awards. She’s the author of Steve & I: One Photographer’s Improbable Journey with Steve Jobs and is currently writing a memoir about her life with her international photojournalist husband.
From the time of my first trip to Africa on assignment as a fashion model in 1984, to my recent role as Africa Adventures Specialist for the Jane Goodall Institute, I've traveled to or lived in eleven African countries. Deepening my life long passion to nature and animals happens easily in Africa, but Africa remains 
3 comments
Ian says:
Jul 18, 2012
Thanks for the reminder of the difference one person can make. Happy Birthday Mr. Mandela
Becky Green Aaronson says:
Jul 19, 2012
Ian, there’s no better person than Nelson Mandela to remind us of what’s possible in the world, especially when we each do our small part. Few people have inspired me more so it’s an honor to pay tribute to him on his special day.
Lori says:
Jul 19, 2012
I agree. Mandela and Jane Goodall are two of my living mentors for all they do and all they represent.