As Mohandas K. Gandhi once said, "Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment." Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948), called Mahatma ("Great Soul"), was a small man who had a big heart. He was India's leader in its successful struggle to liberate itself from British colonialism. His love for humanity and his will to uplift all people against the oppression of apartheid showed in his many public and personal demonstrations. He was a man who was easily likeable and highly respected, unless of course, it was your cause that he was fighting against. He spoke of truth, peace and unity among many other things. What made Gandhi's movement extraordinary is that it functioned without political influence, economic resources, or military power of any kind. Gandhi's guiding principle was Satyagraha, which means non-cooperation and nonviolent passive resistance. He was highly influential to many people in India and worldwide for a variety of reasons. One notable person in American history who adopted the Mahatma's teachings was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King used Gandhi's teachings to fight against racism in America during the civil-rights era. Gandhi greatly influenced me because he stood firmly behind his beliefs, which in turn taught me to fight for what I believe is right.
             Gandhi had many beliefs that many of us can relate to. As a lawyer in South Africa, he learned that he was trusted with his work more when he looked for the hearts of both prosecutor and defendant, active in honesty. He longed to serve people in a meaningful way. Gandhi was impacted by the way he saw his fellow Indians were being treated, living as repressed slaves. He soon found that the more he simplified his life, the more time he would have to devote to community service. Gandhi continued to simplify his life, giving up all forms of compensation including gifts and stopped dressing as an Englishman....