5 Life Lessons Muhammad Ali Taught Humanity

As the one year anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s passing approaches later this week on Saturday, June 3rd, I reflect on his legacy and celebrate the beautiful life of an iconic legend that our world has had the privilege to witness. It is a result of his greatness that we have been afforded the opportunity to learn, grow and dream.

Muhammad Ali transcended sports, entertainment, culture, politics, race and life. While he is one of the greatest athletes of all time, Ali was a greater human being and servant leader. Through his living, he challenged the status quo and society to reexamine their own biases, opinions, stereotypes, prejudices and misconceptions. Muhammad Ali showed humanity what it meant to be authentically human and to live in one’s true essence. While many have strived to replicate his style, grace, charisma, craft, compassion and confidence, there will always only be one of “The People’s Champ.”

The following are five life lessons Muhammad Ali taught humanity…

Self-Love

Muhammad Ali taught humanity the power of self-love. In his living he gave people hope to never second guess their divine brilliance, beauty and uniqueness. That we were all imperfectly perfect just the way we were. He was a beacon of inspiration, fearless spirit, empowerment, courage, strength, perseverance and mobilization during a period of sweltering injustice and prejudice. Ali taught us that the human spirit is powerful beyond measure and one’s inability to see your value and worth was not a reflection of you, but their own limited consciousness.

Live in Truth

Muhammad Ali taught us the power of embracing and celebrating one’s authentic self. Ali taught us that the truth will always set you free. He challenged the status quo and was not intimated by the outside noise of naysayers and threats. Ali remained true to who he was and in the process liberated himself while providing a safe haven of hope and change for his supporters.

Find Your Voice

Muhammad Ali taught us to reflect on who we are as individuals and to make it our life mission to master our craft while being of service to humanity. He exemplified no matter what field one goes into that their voice is valuable and to speak up in the face of injustice…and to speak up for those individuals whose stories were not being told. Ali taught us that by finding your voice, you automatically liberate others in the process.

Servant Leadership

Muhammad Ali taught us “service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” In his living, Ali consistently demonstrated compassion and tenderness. He showed us life is not how much one can acquire but how much one can give to others. An individual of great humility, Ali captured the transformative power of a genuine smile, grace and authenticity.

Never Give Up

Throughout Muhammad Ali’s entire life he displayed a never give up mentality. Ali nurtured his talent and skills set to exhaust every finite niche of his potential. He was obsessed with greatness and allergic to mediocrity. The fact that Ali’s heart continued to beat thirty minutes after all of his other organs had failed on the evening of Friday, June 3, 2016 in Scottsdale, Arizona is a testament of his stellar strength and willpower to overcome odds.

In our current times of worldly unrest, senseless violence, systematic, institutionalized and political injustices, we can all learn something from the above lessons Muhammad Ali left us through his living and service. He not only shook up this world by transforming his life and inspiring others through his greatness….Ali empowered humanity — providing hope and access for communities to share their one of a kind story!

About the Author:

Kimati A. Ramsey is an innovative brand strategist, inspirational educator and motivational speaker who graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. His educational, career and life management strategies have empowered thousands of student-athletes, high school and college students to seize opportunities and turn dreams into realities. Stay connected at www.kimatiramsey.com.