Think what you can do and will do! Do nothing. What will happen to your dream? Absolutely Nothing! Look back? You’ll stumble or say, “I thought about doing that.” Or, I should have pursued my goals.” Don’t quit. Pursue! Try! What do these people have in common?
1. Muhammed Ali, The Greatest, a fighter all his life, in-and-out of the ring and became a modern icon. He initially found fame as a champion boxer, celebrated for his unorthodox ring style and witty talk before, during, and after fights. His charisma and commitment to social and political causes saw him transcend boxing to become one of the most famous people on the planet.
2. Cleopatra VII born in 69 BC – 68 BC; last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, ruling Egypt from 51 BC – 30 BC., celebrated for her beauty and her love affairs with the Roman warlords Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, highly intelligent woman, astute politician, brought prosperity and peace to a bankrupt country split by civil war. Her father Ptolemy XII died in 51 BC. Cleopatra VII became co-regent with her 10-year-old brother Ptolemy XIII. They were married, in keeping with Egyptian tradition.
3. Djoser was the best known pharaoh, and possibly the founder, of the Third Dynasty of the Old Kingdom in Egypt. He was responsible for the world’s first known monumental stone building, the Step Pyramid at Sakkara. Little is known about Djoser. The architect of the pyramid was Imhotep, advisor of Djoser’s who is the first architect known by name in history.
4. Olaudah Equiano, an African writer whose experiences as a slave prompted him to become involved in the British abolition movement. Equiano writes that he was born in the Eboe province, in the area that is now southern Nigeria. He describes being kidnapped with his sister around 11 years; sold by local slave traders, shipped across the Atlantic to Barbados and then Virginia.
5. Marcus Garvey, Jamaican-born in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica on 17 August 1887, the youngest of 11 children; black nationalist created a ‘Back to Africa’ movement in the U.S., an inspirational figure for later civil rights activists. He inherited a keen interest in books from his father, a mason and made full use of the extensive family library. He left school at 14 years and became a printer’s apprentice where he led a strike for higher wages.; In 1935, moved permanently to London and died on 10 June 1940. In 1964, his body was returned to Jamaica and declared the country’s first national hero.
What do you have in common? We endure hardship! We’re resolute in our pursuits, indefatigable! Life is a test of endurance! Never Give Up! Excerpts various online sources. Teach your children at home.
Jeanette Grattan Parker, Ph.D. Superintendent/Founder-Today’s Fresh Start Charter School, 4514 Crenshaw BL., LA 90043 323-293-9826 [writer, artist, educator, speaker, marriage expert (50+) Writings are copyright: “Will You Marry Me” and “Inquiring Minds Want To Know.”] [email protected].
