I remember when my aunt bought me a book written by Laila Ali titled, Reach in 2002. That was one of the first books I had truly enjoyed and read from beginning to end that wasn’t school related. That wasn’t the first time I had known about Muhammad Ali but it was really the first time I had known about what he meant to America and the world. After talking with my family about him and doing research I realized how inspirational he was as a human being. Watching his eulogy today, has taught me that life isn’t about the successes, fame or how much money we make but its about how we touch people and how we make others feel. I want to make others feel limitless, valued and inspired. Ali demonstrated that this can happen through love and service to others. Ali has also inspired me despite the challenges I go through, even as I write this, that believing in yourself is the first step to accomplishing anything in life. My favorite quote from him is, “I don’t count my sit-ups, I only start counting when it starts hurting, when I feel pain, that’s when I start counting, ’cause that’s when it really counts.” Even though this quote is related to training and building strength,  I see this as parallel with the philosophy that it doesn’t really matter how you act when everything is sunny and going well, but when it really matters is how you react to the storms and pain in life. That’s when it counts. So thank you Ali for inspiring me even as a part of the millennial generation, to believe in myself and not settle for 2nd best. Thank you for demonstrating perseverance, courage and love for mankind despite rank or prestige. Your legacy will live on.

Other great quotes from Ali:

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.

The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.

It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.

He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.