INLSA
DURBAN;261009 First day of matric exams at Gorge Campbell school of Technology PICTURE: Nqobile Mbonambi
ToDAY we celebrate Madiba’s birthday. Tomorrow is my birthday.
At my age (half of Mr Mandela’s), one tends to think a bit more often about the questions: who am I? What am I doing that is meaningful? Am I fulfilling my destiny and my purpose here on Earth?
Looking from the outside at the context of Madiba’s life, I cannot help but think he got it right big time. He stands firm in what he believes. It definitely seems as if he knows why he was put on Earth and he has certainly created a great deal of meaning for all South Africans.
The fact is that these questions can only be answered by oneself. Whether or not your parents, your partner, children, friends or enemies think you have a meaningful life is actually irrelevant.
The question is: what do you think? And, perhaps, even more important, what do you know?
One thing for certain: nobody came to Earth by accident. The fact that you are here right now reading these words is testimony that you should be here and that you have role to play in many people’s lives, in this country and in the world.
Knowing that you are here for a purpose also puts some responsibility on you, the individual. You will have to find your passion, find your purpose and live these out in such a way that you can make a difference.
Before you throw your hands up to the heavens and ask what your purpose may be, consider that not all of us are Madibas, Gandhis or Einsteins, and some of us find our purpose in serving the great people of this world.
Some of us find our purpose in bringing up a child and bringing love and respect to the world. No single purpose is greater than another. It may seem to be so, but it is not true.
The 10th grade teacher who told me that I was destined for greater things and who nurtured my potential is, in my eyes, much greater than I will ever be.
Another example is my friend Nico who, when I was at the lowest point in my life, didn’t only call, but came over with a small gift and offered his time and ear to help me feel better.
Then there was the nurse who, straight after my birth, grabbed me and ran to the emergency room to remove the mucous from my lungs so that I could take my first breath.
It is people like these who had a huge impact on my life.
Your challenge and your responsibility lie not only in finding out what that great purpose is that you are here for, but also to get involved daily in activities that will create a purposeful life for yourself and those around you.
In this way you too may one day be able to look back on a life well lived and thus become a person of whom some people will say: “He (or she) was my Madiba.” To our Madiba: Happy birthday, sir, and thanks for being who you are.
l Contact Rinus le Roux at rinus@ucan.co.za
) and select "Flag as inappropriate". Our moderators will take action if need be.
Services
Buying a car has never been easy. Motoring.co.za contains a large database of car listings with a user friendly search.
Start searching today »
