It took me almost three months, but I finally finished listening to Nelson Mandela’s autobiography “Long Walk to Freedom.” Don’t take my slow progress as a sign that it was a dull read (or listen) though. This is probably one of the most inspirational books I’ve come across.
Nelson Mandela’s life story can easily be looked at as one of struggle, inequality, and injustice. As a black South African, he spent most of his life being treated as a second-class citizen, and for over 50 years was persecuted for his pursuit of equality for black and colored individuals in South Africa. This persecution included discrimination, being branded an outlaw in his homeland, and eventually being imprisoned for 27 years. Yet despite these hardships, his autobiography contains a message of optimism and hope that can inspire anyone going through tough times.
This book was brimming with valuable lessons, so it was difficult to choose which ones to talk about. What I eventually decided on were three overarching principles that Mandela embodied throughout his life: perspective, diplomacy, and patience/perseverance.
In this video I go into detail on those three principles, giving examples of how Mandela embodied them, and why I think they’re important. I hope you get some value out of it, or at the very least are inspired to pick up a copy of “Long Walk to Freedom.”
An Appetite For Beauty 