Today is a day that many, including myself, did not believe would happen for a long time. Many felt that an Anglo woman would be sworn in as President of the United States prior to the inauguration of an African-American. It makes me really proud to call myself an American when you look back a mere 50 years to the gathering momentum of the Civil Rights movement.
President Obama. Sounds new and refreshing. What this country needs and deserves. However, I must caution myself, and all others reading, that he is but one man.
In so many ways, the ball is in our court. Yes, all of us Americans. Hard times continue to lurk on the horizon. Many of us who call ourselves Americans have grown up with a sense of entitlement. A feeling that we are owed something because of our age, education, marital circumstance, what have you.
The real challenge that faces America, and its citizens, is not threats from around the world, which are undeniably real, but the entrenched belief that it is someone else's responsibility to make our country better.
Despite our current challenges, we need to emerse ourselves in an attitude of gratitude. Doesn't matter your particular set of circumstances, get it. We all need to make sacrifices for one another in the years ahead. We need to look out for each other on a daily basis, not December 23 to December 25th.
This country arose from the Depression of the 1930's not from the skilled leadership of one man, but from the sense that American can do it, can sacrifice and can collectively help all that call America home.
Our country could use another Roosevelt type leader in these times. But more than that, we could really use some Americans who sacrifice, work and persevere to see a successful outcome to our current challenges. Will it be easy? No, not really. But can it be done? It can and will.
Godspeed to you President Obama and to the country you lead. But please remember, he is but one man and we are hundreds of millions.
January 21, 2009 the parties and balls will be over. Now its time to get to work. What are you going to work on that day?
Blank Canvas
High in the middle
Time to wail
About Me
- bigd Flanagan
- Bigd is a late achiever but once he gets going he is all good. He loves RL and SL. From surfboard maker to classroom teacher, his RL has had a varied past. All this brings him a rich collection of mad marketing, business and people skills. He is co-conspirator with Kimala in the efforts with Bistro Olive.
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1 comment:
Dave -
I appreciate all your thoughts and insights. Is it too much to ask that we set political parties aside and just be Americans? Is it too hard to imagine us conquering the problems we are facing right now? We did put a man on the moon, after all.
Cheers to 2009. I just keep saying that because I think the longer we continue to look forward, the longer we continue to anticipate things with excitement, and the longer we continue to imagine incredible things becoming possible, the better our chances. Yeah... we might not win the lottery... but we certainly can do a lot of other things.
Go OBAMA!
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