The Victory of Harmony

On this chilly December Friday, it's time to pause for another 'thought-tale' hour with the Henderson's.  Like millions of other humans, my mind paused for a moment yesterday evening around 4:00 pm, when I heard the news of Nelson Mandela's passing at the age of 95.  A well known figure in the world who will undoubtedly be remembered for generations to come, his legacy crosses lines of race, creed and politics.  Many will eulogize him - many who are far greater orators and writers than I - but Chris and I agreed on one point worth sharing with you all tonight that Mr. Mandela will leave us with.  We, two Caucasian Americans who have experienced very little by way of discrimination.  We, neither persecuted or imprisoned for our beliefs.  We, raised in a free society where we can stand on our roof if we please and rant on the government.   We, even, were taught by Mr. Mandela the overwhelming importance of finding one ingredient when maintaining a successful partnership with those we might find disagreeable. That ingredient is harmony.  Harmony in the face of differences. Harmony in a place where he was unrighteously judged.  Mr. Mandela's greatest gift was helping others find harmony within the most disjointed of unions.

He spoke of this when he was unjustly sentenced to life plus 5 years in prison, convicted of plotting to violently overthrow the government: 

"I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities."  

He wanted equality certainly, but only as it was combined with a peaceful and harmonious state for all.  Elected as the first leader of color in South Africa, he surely could have become a dictator.  But that was never his intent.  Harmony was his goal and tyranny did not lend itself well to that outcome. 

We all have times in our lives that we can point to being victimized.  

It's a bitter pill when you are forced to swallow. However, few of us can point to a time when we spent the prime of our lives imprisoned for simply asking for the end to practices that prohibited opportunity and prosperity.  Resentment is a natural outcome of being victimized, but instead, he stated that 'resentment was like drinking poison and expecting your enemy to die'. Mr. Mandela spent his life instead endeavoring to understand his opposition and find ways to work with them.  He could have destroyed them, but instead, he learned to appreciate them.  

He might have made examples of their ignorance, but instead, he made them his allies.

So tonight, we pause to consider the legacy of harmony left by this great man and the ways we can enterprise to bring more of his spirit to our life.  It's certainly never uncomplicated, as fine tuning the sharp notes of disagreement can be mired in fear and anger, but the time will be well spent versus lost.  We drink tonight something called "Harmoniously Rooted and Brewed" to toast to a life well lived, and hopefully, mirrored by millions.  CHEERS FRIENDS!

Harmoniously Rooted and Brewed

2 ounces Maker's Mark Bourbon
1 ounce Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka 
Root  Beer 
Fill an 8-ounce drinking glass with ice. Add the bourbon and coffee liqueur. Stir, then slowly pour in enough root beer to top off the glass. Gently stir again. Makes 1 serving.