“Be brave. Even if you’re not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference. Don’t allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It’s there for your convenience, not the callers. Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is. Don’t burn bridges. You’ll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river. Don’t forget, a person’s greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated. Don’t major in minor things. Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Helen Keller, Leonardo Da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein. Don’t spread yourself too thin. Learn to say no politely and quickly. Don’t use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved. Don’t waste time grieving over past mistakes Learn from them and move on. Every person needs to have their moment in the sun, when they raise their arms in victory, knowing that on this day, at his hour, they were at their very best. Get your priorities straight. No one ever said on his death bed, ‘Gee, if I’d only spent more time at the office’. Give people a second chance, but not a third. Judge your success by the degree that you’re enjoying peace, health and love. Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly. Leave everything a little better than you found it. Live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation. Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life and death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems. Never cut what can be untied. Never overestimate your power to change others. Never underestimate your power to change yourself. Remember that overnight success usually takes about fifteen years. Remember that winners do what losers don’t want to do. Seek opportunity, not security. A boat in harbor is safe, but in time its bottom will rot out. Spend less time worrying who’s right, more time deciding what’s right. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life. Success is getting what you want. Happiness is liking what you get. The importance of winning is not what we get from it, but what we become because of it. When facing a difficult task, act as though it’s impossible to fail.”

The Queen of Hearts

One person I have always looked up to for their leadership and activism is Diana Spencer, or Princess Diana.

Princess Diana is sometimes referred to as "The People's Princess" for her work with numerous charities, AIDS work, and he ability to relate with "commoners" from any country, not just England.

In the 1980s, the AIDS epidemic was coursing through the world, and understanding of the disease was at an all time low.  Many people believed that you could get AIDS by touching someone or being in the same room with someone who has AIDS - in 1987, Princess Diana became the first high profile person to be photographed hugging an AIDS victim, helping put an end to the social stigma.

Princess Diana was also active in charities involving the removal and the removing of Land mines.  Princess Diana also served as a patron for many other charities as well as the Ballet and numerous hospitals.  She was also heavily involved in helping children.  Princess Diana was an atypical patron for charities - rather than giving a large sum of money to remove land mines or give medicine to children in Africa, she wanted to be there, digging out the mines and administering the shots - a first for anyone from the royal family.

Princess Diana was in a position that she could have easily taken advantage of - as the Princess and future Queen, she could have had a fairly "easy" life in terms of public service.  But rather than seclude herself in her lavage lifestyle of jewels and designer clothes, she went out and tried to help people.  Princess Diana constantly pushed the boundaries of what was considered socially acceptable.  A leader is someone doesn't let other people's opinions or the possibility of being ridiculed stop them from doing the right thing.  She knew what should be done in the world, and set out to make a change, rather than just existing and being complacent with her royal title, she tried to set an example for other people.

Princess Diana and Mother Teresa

Princess Diana's death rocked the world.  Mourners came from near and far to remember her legacy.  Princess Diana and her contributions have withstood the test of time, and she is still considered one of the most important humanitarians in modern history.  Her funeral was watched by millions of people worldwide.  At her funeral, Elton John sang multiple songs, including Goodbye England's Rose.  Her brother also gave a touching speech.

After news of Princess Diana's death spread, flowers were put everywhere in England.  This is a scene from Kensington Palace.