Forgiveness and Reconciliation

We saw the movie "Invictus" yesterday. The film is a true story of how Nelson Mandela tried to unite South Africa by working with Captain of South Africa's Rugby Team. Mandela understood that Rugby is hated by the Black South Africans who saw it as a symbol of Oppression and also violence. But at the same time Mandela, being a man who was imprisoned in a tiny cell for 27 years also foresaw and believed that winning the Rugby world cup could be the thing that the country needed to feel unified. The overwhelming theme of the movie is Reconciliation and forgiveness and in turn to foster a new "Rainbow Nation".

I was very impressed with a scene in the first 30 mins of the of the film when Mandela's Head of Security is not too happy with the white bodyguards being added to his detail, and that is when Mandela's talks about Forgiveness. This particular statement that he says made a very deep impact on me.

"Yes I know, forgiveness starts here. Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon."

Invictus is at its very essence a classically Hollywood, inspirational underdog sports movie--but very well executed by Clint Eastwood. I enjoyed the movie immensely. I think Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon have acted extremely well. Clint Eastwood has set up the context very well and the movie has been woven well enough for the audience to realize what the winning of the Rugby World cup means to the entire nation of South Africa.

Even though the movie has it's share of cliches, it offered me an insight into the power of forgiveness and how it can change the hearts and attitudes of others. I hope you can see the movie and share your thoughts as well.

I am the Captain of my soul

I saw the movie Invictus today and it was very inspiring. Look out for another post on my review of the movie. But today I wanted so share the Poem by English Poet William Henley that President Mandela quotes in the movie. I was very very impressed by that poem. The entire poem (as I found it on wikipedia is given below), but here are the four lines that made an impact on me,

I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

It was just awesome and very inspiring. "I am the captain of my soul".

Here is the entire poem,

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

OSJ for May 28th, 2010

My friend Deepthi introduced me to the Happiness Project website and in turn I was impressed by the One Sentence Journal Concept that Gretchen Rubin has introduced on this website.

So, today OSJ is,

If Life gives you Lemons, make Lemonade :)

Carpe Diem

Carpe diem is a phrase from a Latin poem by Horace. It is popularly translated as "seize the day". We have to live in the moment, be happy and enjoy it. Does this mean we can be carefree and not worry about future. Not really, for me this means put your mind, heart and soul into whatever you are doing at that point and just enjoy it.

I went to vote for Flower Mound Elections and there was a long line. My first thought was that "Oh Shoot, I should have voted early and I could have avoided this". Then I corrected my self, but then I could not have had this fun of waiting in line enjoying the most beautiful spring weather, talking to other people in line to get their opinions on different things, see the amazing volunteers taking time to wave the banners, serving water, giving out pamphlets..in general the overall excitement of the election day. It was lots of fun and I enjoyed it a lot as soon as I stopped worrying about if's and but's.

It is debatable as to how this applies to life in a bigger picture and how we can try to live in the moment with bigger decisions of our life. But we can keep trying. As my father says - Be in the moment and Be Happy. I have not quite reached the zen place that he has yet...but I am trying. His latest technique is saying to yourself that you are a happy being and over a period of time you will start believing and feeling it. I am certainly giving it a try.

Please let me know your thoughts on this and Carpe Diem - Go Seize the Day.