Celebrating Muhammad Ali

'Often it isn't the mountains ahead that wear you out, it's the little pebble in your shoe.' 

- Muhammad Ali

If you were to ever ask me 'if you could have dinner with anyone throughout the history of time, alive or dead, who would it be?' I would instantly answer with either Nelson Mandela or Muhammad Ali - think how awesome the conversation would be?! Growing up, I would often talk about Muhammad Ali with my siblings, myself and my sister watching on in amusement as my brother would imitate his moves and quote him as he jumped around the room, hitting an imaginary target 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, his hands can't hit what his eyes can't see!'

To learn about him was so much more than learning about his career. Apart from his skill, charm and entertaining interviews, we saw that he was one of few celebrities who had the confidence and the will to talk out against the America Government's foreign policy and challenge peoples perceptions about what it meant to be both black and Muslim in America. He never shied away from his beliefs, speaking openly about his faith and refusing to fight during the Vietnam war - a choice that could have ultimately cost him his career and freedom.  Above all, he made it ok to be proud of ones beliefs and background in a society that would often make you question yourself, even till this day. And with a legacy like that, he truly did live up to his title of 'The Greatest'.

So, for this weeks Monday Motivation I'd like to dedicate it to the legend that is Muhammad Ali and share this great piece from the New Yorker - The outsized life of Muhammad Ali.
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