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Feel Good Friday - International Nelson Mandela Day: A Call to Community and Compassion

James O_Connor_o89ye8

For my first ever Feel Good Friday post I had planned to write a post about my other favourite subject apart from Jira (books!) but then I realised that today, July 18th, is International Nelson Mandela Day, a day to honour the legacy of a leader who showed us the power of forgiveness, courage, and unbroken hope. It’s also a reminder that lasting change starts at the community level, with small acts of kindness and determination, so it seemed perfect for a Feel Good Friday in our community!

Nelson_Mandela-2008_(edit).jpg

Attribution: South Africa The Good News / www.sagoodnews.co.za, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Rather than a public holiday, International Nelson Mandela Day represents a global call to action. It’s a reminder that each of us has the power — and responsibility — to make a difference.

On this day, people around the world are encouraged to give 67 minutes of their time — representing the 67 years Mandela dedicated to public service — to make a positive impact in their communities. Whether it’s volunteering, sharing skills, supporting a neighbour, or standing up for justice, Mandela Day is a chance to reflect on how we can build a more compassionate world.

So, my question for you today is:

Who inspires you to be a force for good in your community?

Comments

Amanda Barber

I love this post - thank you, @James O_Connor!

I actually recently reflected on ways I give back for a work project. I'm grateful that I'm able to give back by donating blood regularly, being a Girl Scouts leader and volunteer, coaching Girls on the Run, volunteering as an Atlassian Community Events Champion, raising money and volunteering for our local Alzheimer's Association, and fundraising for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).

I really like the idea of giving 67 minutes of our time on this special day! While I don't think I can give an entire hour, I will definitely slot some time in today to focus on setting up future Alzheimer's and NAMI fundraisers for the upcoming events. 💙

Susan Waldrip

Thank you for this post, @James O_Connor ! I will honor Nelson Mandela today and the next week by helping as many people in the Community as possible, and recognizing great articles and efforts with kudos. I get inspiration from people in all walks of life; right now, I draw inspiration from Victor Kravchuk's "War, Love, and Survival in Ukraine", a Substack writer who finds ways to stay positive even as the bombs fall around him and his neighbors. He's pretty amazing.

Brita Moorus

Thank you for this post, @James O_Connor! 💛 I'm inspired by people who quietly support others every day - whether it's a kind colleague, a patient teacher, or someone showing up for their community without expecting anything in return. Those small actions add up and really stick with me 🌱

James O_Connor_o89ye8

Thanks @Amanda Barber!

Wow - that's a lot of volunteering! And I've seen the amount of work that you put in around the Atlassian Community - it's people like yourself that really inspire the rest of us to step up our game and give back as much as possible, so thank you for that.

James O_Connor_o89ye8

Thanks @Susan Waldrip, I will check him out! I'm always on the lookout for positive and inspirational perspectives.

James O_Connor_o89ye8

Thank you @Brita Moorus, that's a great point! It's so easy to get wrapped in the idea that making a positive impact has to be a huge gesture which can make it seem impossible to achieve, when those small actions can make a massive difference in somebody's day.

Amanda Barber

Haha, yes, sometimes I think I volunteer too much.

Shawn Doyle - ReleaseTEAM

I enjoy annoying the forces of evil.

Barbara Szczesniak

I think a sense of wanting kids to have a good experience at school inspires me. Every year at this time, I buy school supplies and donate them through an organization in my neighborhood. I just need to go get the supplies and drop them off at a neighbor's house. If I go during the time when we have no sales tax on school supplies in my state, I can get even more to donate.

James O_Connor_o89ye8

Me too @Shawn Doyle - ReleaseTEAM! 😄

James O_Connor_o89ye8

That's a great inspiration to have @Barbara Szczesniak and I love that you've found a way to maximise the impact that you can have!