Dr. Gulara Vincent at http://gularavincent.com nominated me for this challenge the other day, 5 photos on 5 consecutive days with or without a story accompanying it. I love Gulara’s posts so much – always understated in their simplicity of compassion to self and others – her posts speak directly to me. And her one put up today as part of the challenge is so synchronistic I’m almost speechless, reading it as I did when I got back from being out the whole morning – actually not on compassion.

Today is International Mandela Day here in South Africa, declared in 2009 by UN Secretary-General Banki Moon to be celebrated on Mr. Mandela’s birthday every year on the 18th July. Mr. Nelson Mandela Mr. Mandela gave 67 years of his life in the struggle for freedom, human rights and social justice. We are asked world wide to give 67 minutes of our time today in whatever way we can to ‘make the world a better place’.

I could write a thousand quotes from this great man but I’ll do one:-

‘I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear’.

And here’s one other, because it’s Eid Mubarak today – and this is for my Muslim friends, especially Zainab:

‘South Africa’s vibrant Islamic heritage is a valued and respected part of our nation’.

I’ve done my bit already and I’m not sure if this is part of the reason I feel happy today. Yes, the day is gorgeous, bright and sunny though with a distinct winter chill in the air. In part also because of the once a month Saturday art group meeting this morning which was enlivening and animating and had me almost bursting out my skin (I’ll post a photo tomorrow of Tina’s art work she showed this morning – her first time in oils).

I’m happy also because my younger son David announced his engagement the other day to Jute his girlfriend of 3 1/2 years. I’ll probably put up of a photo of these two beautiful individuals the following day, Monday. We are so so happy!

Now, to nominate someone to take up the challenge:

‘Rules’ for Five Photos, Five Days, Five Stories Challenge:

1) post a photo each day for 5 consecutive days

2) attach a story to the photo. It can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or a short paragraph. It’s entirely up to you!

3) Nominate another blogger to carry on the challenge. Your nominee is free to accept or decline the invitation. This is fun, not a command performance!

My nomination for picking up the challenge is Silvia Villalobos at http://www.silviatomasvillalobos.wordpress.com. And Silvia, you truly do not have to accept! (but I hope you do!)

 

30 Comments on Five Photos, Five Stories Challenge – Day One

  1. Hi,
    This is a wonderful tribute to a great man who lived according to his beliefs. That is what I like so much. Nelson Mandela never let anyone tell him who or what he was supposed to be. He didn’t let the oppression of an unjust system define his own humanity and he had the courage to forgive and keep walking. He wasn’t ensnared by the past.
    Great choice.
    Shalom,
    Patricia

    • You’ve hit the nail on the head Pat thank you so much by saying that he did not allow the unjust system to define him and he walked beyond the confines …
      Shalom, Susan

  2. I am truly fascinated by this person Nelson Mandela, for all the courage and persistence he displayed. Glad to hear about the 67 minutes dedicated to Mandela, what better tribute than this. Congratulations about your son, happy to read your post, and thanks for inspiring quote..

  4. I love the Nelson Mandela quotes. Thank you. Yesterday, friends and I had a discussion about whether or not we humans can ever live without war. I brought up a few examples of miracles in my lifetime. South Africa (a work in progress, I know), civil rights in the United States (another work in progress, but who could have imagined a president named Obama, and the movement toward equality for women in all aspects of life. All just small steps along the way, but things have changed in the last 50 years. I’m waiting for more miracles.

    • Thanks Elaine. That must have been an interesting discussion. Economies of countries are built on weaponry, the buying and selling and so on. I also wonder – and how civilised we are actually? I’m not sure we are. But, maybe things are turning for the better – I get the sense they are. Can they get worse? May the miracles happen!

  5. A lovely post that I shared on Twitter. I didn’t know about International Mandela Day nor the idea that in his honor people should spend 67 in performing an unselfish, purposeful act. Wonderful!

    Congratulations on your son’s engagement! Mazel Tov!

    • Thanks Merril for the congrats! I’m smiling this early Monday morning! Thank you for sharing on Twitter also … yes, it is a lovely thing to do in his honour for his 67 years fight for freedom …

  6. Hi Susan – what a great idea … and yes we can all do more somewhere, somehow to make someone happy, or ease their life … I saw it was Mandela Day … but had forgotten it was linked to his birthday. I’ve been remembering Mandela … as during Wimbledon they showed a tv programme about Arthur Ashe and his struggles in the States, and then his very unfortunate end to life … it would have been short probably – but not that way. Also Gary Player, who is about to be 80 later this year, talked about his look on life and take on it … both very interesting – they get you thinking.

    I must take on board the 67 minutes during the week, and think about that regularly as a way forward … Today though I satisfied my god-daughter’s wish for a Panda – a window decoration for her return .. she goes to China on Monday for a work placement and then some travel …

    Looking forward to seeing the art work on Monday … and congratulations to your son and his fiance – no wonder you’re all so pleased – happy days … cheers Hilary

    • Hi Hilary and thank you for coming by! Yes I also saw something on Arthur Ashe. It’s a pity in a way that we need a ‘day’ to remind us to get up and out and about and do something. We all do things on an ongoing basis in one way or another -but it is a nice feeling to feel part of something on Mandela Day!

      Thanks for congrats Hilary re Dave and Jute! Am battling to put up a photo … (but still have to write up post!!)

      Susan

  7. That’s a lot of work, but a well-rounded post. I try to teach students to include as many media as possible to reach varied listening styles. This was quite motivating.

  8. I admire your persistence, Susan. You are up challenges like these. Thank you for the reminder about this day of commemoration.

    What stayed with me in today’s post: The challenge to use 67 minutes of International Mandela Day to perform an unselfish, purposeful act. Wonderful!

  9. Thank you for informing about INTERNATIONAL MANDELA DAY

    Your post shouts this out to countries over the entire world, in addition to the holiday being honored in South Africa.

  10. Wow! I see why you are excited about the synchronistic timing of the challenge as it merges with your Nelson Mandela Day. He definitely was a wise and caring man. He was respected around the world, as he cared about the rights of people. He definitely should be respected and celebrated.

    Now you have more reason to celebrate with you son’s engagement. You will be a busy person. I am so happy for you.

  11. You are right–what an inspiration Mandela. A man of the world and able to hold the wold without fear–or without it getting in his way.
    Thank you for reminding us all.

  12. This touched me so deeply, Susan, what a beautiful tribute to honour Mandela’s amazing contribution not only to your country but to the humanity as a whole. And thank you so much for your kind words about my posts. I am delighted to read all the exciting news – there are so many things in this post which put a huge smile on my face, like your son’s engagement and synchronicity around art work. Look forward to your posts to learn more!

    • Thank you Gulara! I know it should have been my own photo – I wish I could say that Mr. Mandela had posed for this one especially for me! But I got carried away and knew I had to honour Madiba and so forgot about putting up own photo!

      Tomorrow will be the synchronistic one which happened today and which ties in with your post put up today! And also Samantha’s earlier comment about art being a universal language!

  13. Wonderful, poignant start, Susan. And, I am doing my little bit to help the world, today, and through the arts — ushering at our Smyrna Opera House this evening. The arts speak a universal language, and that of peace and harmony.

    Thanks.

    • I wish I could say that I took the photo – as I read your comment Philippa I realised that this is NOT my own photo, but from tomorrow they will be.

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