Today marks the 92nd birthday of former South African president Nelson Mandela and the first official "Nelson Mandela International Day." Last year, the United Nations declared July 18th to be a day to honor the inspiring leader and his work to bring peace through promoting healthy race relations, human rights and reconciliation. Additionally, people are encouraged to dedicate at least 67 minutes to an act of kindness, in reflection of the 67 years Mandela spent fighting social injustice.
How awesomely yoga! One of the things our practice of yoga can teach us is to be kind and generous to ourselves as well as our neighbors. So we invite you to take your yoga off the mat and think about what kind act you might like to offer. Maybe you could call a friend in need of your support now, volunteer at an animal shelter, or reach out to a perfect stranger who needs help carrying groceries. These thoughtful acts, big or small, are valuable to making this a beautiful world to live in.
So what can you do today? And no need to stress out about the 67-minute bonus round. Hopefully this is something that is not limited by time, but rather a practice you can bring to your life every day. Let every day be a Mandela Day!
"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."--Nelson Mandela
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