Nelson Mandela

A week ago, I started reading Nelson Mandela's autobiograpy and 350 pages into it I am loving it. What a story!!! And surprisingly, it's been an easy read. He named his second daughter Zenani "... which means 'What have you brought to the world?' - a poetic name that embodies a challenge, suggesting that one must contribute something to society." These words struck me deeply. For the past couple of weeks, I have been in some sort of a funk. And even today, after a long night of drinking, I find myself asking. 'What am I doing?' I haven't been painting much nor doing anything that feels worthy. It feels weird even writing about it.

I found myself reading his words on the train on my way to work. I started thinking about my life and what I needed to do to make changes. To remind myself each day about contributing, about giving back to our beautiful world. At a very young age, I was fortunate enough to realize that I was here on earth to make a difference in the lives of people around me. I knew it would be about being kind, generous, honest and living my life to it's fullest as an example to others. I don't always live up to these standard and I forget sometimes. It doesn't feel good. How I MUST make this a priority each morning as I wake up. A simple smile or a 'good morning' to a stranger is so powerful.

I may not see the impact my Little Girls will have 100 years from now, but I hope that they leave a mark of beauty on our world and remind those who come across them that a man once lived a most beautiful, wonderful, and oh so blessed life and in his 'own' way left his mark.

And so with these words, the piece to the lefft is titled The Disguise. It is the mark I use to sign on the back of each of my Little Girls. (okay it's not working so I'm pasting it down below.)