are you truly free?

After Nelson Mandela's passing, I am filled with reverence for this man's courage and wisdom, and compelled to honor his life.   

Mandela spoke many inspiring words, but the ones that most stand out for me today are the ones he said after being released from prison after 27 years:
 

"As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison."

For me, this speaks to so many places in our lives where we keep ourselves enclosed in small spaces.  How often does our frustration and anger keep us closed off from our family?

Equally stunning are these words:
 

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."

Deep breath (and deep bow) after this one.

And of course, these:
 

"There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats it's children."

  The revolution starts with you. 

xoxo Natanya