Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.
This particular quote is one of my favorites. It comes from Horace Mann, the first great American public education advocate. Here is a link to his biography. In addition to champing education, he was a slavery abolitionist, U.S. House of Representatives member, and more.
The following blog is going to go in a slightly different direction than the first two in this series. I’ve included quotes from historical figures and examples to support my rationale. Also, I would like to provide a disclaimer similar to former U.S. President Barack Obama included in his book The Audacity of Hope.
My revision of his words, which applies to me and people who look like me is; I am a captive of my biography. I can’t help but view the American experience through the lens of a black man, forever mindful of past generations and how race and class have continued to shape our society.
Quote #3 | “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity” — Horace Mann
For many of us, the question “what is the meaning of life” has been or may still be a riddle. I lean towards a different question. How can I create meaning in life? These two questions may be similar, but the latter provides a framework to champion actionable notions. While the former presents more questions.
Luckily, there are a few things that are clear about life. There is a start and an end, and history is a collection of stories about previous lives. When searching for meaning, I acknowledge history as a tool. History is a documentation of past decisions, triumphs, and failures. Examining history, you begin to notice patterns, problems, and solutions.
“History, as nearly no one seems to know, is not merely something to be read. And it does not refer merely, or even principally, to the past. On the contrary, the great force of history comes from the fact that we carry it within us, are unconsciously controlled by it in many ways, and history is literally present in all that we do. It could scarcely be otherwise, since it is to history that we owe our frames of reference, our identities, and our aspirations.” — James Baldwin
I challenge you to identify problems from the past that still exist today. Many who have taken this route have lived with such conviction their lives have become legends. This invitation comes with the hope you find a passion that propels you to redefine what is “impossible.” Limitations are extensions of limited beliefs. Belief is defined in Webster as; something that is accepted, considered to be true, or held as an opinion: something believed.
We are what we believe, and our minds are our most powerful weapons. It is vital to fuel our brains because “The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.”- Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ideas previously considered impossible challenged by new perspectives and theories can become possible.
Countless figures have answered the call to solve the various problems humanity faces. Individuals like Gandhi, MLK, Thurgood Marshall, and Nelson Mandela changed their society and achieved the impossible. When it comes to business, many entrepreneurs redefine how we live by solving problems. From cars to cell phones, each innovation began as an “impossible” idea.
Winston Churchill once said; “history is written by the victors” and “history will be kind to me, for I intend to write it.” Those two statements are worth further interpretation. In most cases, victors accomplish extraordinary feats that generally improve humanity. Furthermore, anyone who believes they can write history knows they can exceed expectations and any limiting beliefs.
To my nephew,
Whatever you decide is worth dedicating time to make sure it can change lives.
