At a time when the people of the globe are increasingly divided by every race, color, gender, elitism, and religion; the death of a Muslim-named, anti-war, black man who claimed to be the "the greatest" appears to have brought the world together… however briefly.
In his memoir, Mohammed Ali – who died last night aged 74 – discussed how he'd like to be remembered…
"I would like to be remembered as a man who won the heavyweight title three times, who was humorous, and who treated everyone right.
As a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him, and who helped as many people as he could. As a man who stood up for his beliefs no matter what. As a man who tried to unite all humankind through faith and love.
And if all that's too much, then I guess I'd settle for being remembered only as a great boxer who became a leader and a champion of his people. And I wouldn't even mind if folks forgot how pretty I was."
He had a different perspective on being remembered also…from before the Rumble in the Jungle, 1974…
Interviewer: What would you like people to think about you when you're gone?
Muhammad Ali: pic.twitter.com/A7Zigq4iwp
— Joe Hall (@joehallwords) June 4, 2016
"I’d like them to say he took a few cups of love. He took one table spoon of patience. One table spoon, tea-spoon of generosity. One pint of kindness. He took one quart of laughter. One pinch of concern. And then he mixed willingness with happiness. He added lots of faith. And he stirred it up well. Then he spread it over a span of a lifetime. And he served it to each and every deserving person he met."
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Remember…
And we dare you not to cry a little…
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“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it – then I can achieve it.”
“I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion'.”
“Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong.”
“Don't count the days, make the days count.”
“I'm a fighter. I believe in the eye-for-an-eye business. I'm no cheek turner. I got no respect for a man who won't hit back. You kill my dog, you better hide your cat.”
“Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them-a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.”
“Live everyday as if it were your last because someday you're going to be right.”
“The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.”
“To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you’re not, pretend you are.”
“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”
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