I think that you have two choices when it comes to responding to a day like today:
You respond either with cynicism, or with inspiration.
I count myself truly blessed to be a part of something like today, if only by way of a crappy msnbc online stream. To be able to tell my kids about the strength of the moment is a great thing.
The shear weight, and beauty, of millions of people gathering in a single location to celebrate something is incredible. That it is a celebration of something so positive, and so humble, is inspiring.
Time, of course, will judge Obama's presidency. But for today, I'm celebrating the fact that everybody across America is talking about coming together, and working together, and learning from the past.
In a truly monstrous prayer, Rick Warren laid out everything that is truly beautiful about faith, and belief. Acceptance and humility, compassion and love... let that be a representation of what it is to live a life in pursuit of God.
Obama's speech, as well, a moment in history. Some great points I managed to scribble down (my own thoughts in brackets):
- as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself. (we are all humans, and we are all important, despite the lines that define and separate us.)
- to those leaders around the world who seek to sew violence, know that your people will judge you by what you can build, not what you can destroy (violence begets violence... this is a constant throughout history. This has never changed.)
- to those nations like ours, who enjoy relative plenty, we say that we can no longer afford indifference to the world’s needs (HUGE! this is EVERYTHING.)
- a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves (about the need for a new mentality amongst the american public.)
The fundamental idea behind today's inauguration has to be one of looking outward as opposed to inward, thinking of others as opposed to one's self, and doing this together, as a country. That is an incredible thing.
JB
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call me cynical if you will, but is this not hugly overblown? why all the fan fare for Obama, and never any other president? is it because he's the first black president? or is it because people think he's going to somehow wave his magic wand and make all the problems go away?
Leadership is more than being able to talk the talk...
I just don't understand. Are people finaly coming together to try to solve problems? I wish it were so, but sadly...i have my doubts.
Hey dude.
Ya, I hear you.. and I know we'll side differently on this one (how typical of us, right?)
There's something cool about taking at least just one day, and, instead of standing at a distance and saying.. 'meh... i'm not impressed...' instead just celebrating a moment of togetherness.
I think that's what I like so much... that, for the first time in a long time, people are gathering en masse to say, 'why not?' as opposed to 'why?'. I understand that it's an ideological and philosophical thing, and that the practicalities of leading the world's most powerful nation will take all four, or eight, years to sort themselves out.
But I think they're starting from the best possible position.. that of positivity and, more importantly, a feeling of responsibility and selflessness. A feeling of, 'what can we do to make us better.' The general public is fickle. We always have been, always will be. But... so? Great shifts in history, both great and terrible, happen because of idealism, and leadership.
Successfully pulling millions of people into a single location, and then confidently declaring that a mentality of hard work, humility, and desire to reach their collective potential is the only thing that will allow the country to be what it could be.. and then being collectively cheered for and wholey supported by those people in that moment.. has to be defined as leadership. Sometimes leadership can actually be inspiring and ideological as well as practical.
I'm willing to, at this current point, call myself impressed, if only because... if in four years, he's crashed and burned, and things have gone badly, then I will still be able to say that I was inspired by this day, and I believed that the ideas he presented were worth pursuing.
If I were to stand at a distance, now, and, at the end of 4 years, have the opportunity to say, 'I told you so!!!'... is that really worth anything at all?
We have a way of smirking and negating the concepts of unity and hope as being 'cute and all.. but, ya know.. we can get to those once we've actually solved the important problems at hand. like the war, and the oil, and the money and stuff like that. All he ever talks about is HOPE!'
but.. hope is like the most powerful human emotion! money, violence.. these aren't problems that will be solved by the policies of one administration. they're problems that will only fade when the ideological footprint of the entire nation starts to reposition itself. poverty won't end when Obama passes a bill. But it can start to fade if he can inspire you and I to tighten our belts, live a little more simply, and start actually giving generously.
I'm thinking that the two may be much more intricately connected (idealism and practical leadership). I think that's why I'm excited about today.
JB
I watched it all day too. I'm not huge into politics (much to my husband's shagrin) but I gotta say, something about today inspired me too. I agree so much with your post and I hope that people will act on this inspiration.
But too, I had mixed emotions. I was in awe of the crowd, the support, the hope. But I also felt a bit sad for Bush. I watched him throughout the different segments he was in and thought that he's gotta feel a bit kicked down. He was president throughout some tough, tough years and went though huge struggles. I feel like he never got the nods or the support he deserved. For him to witness such pomp and pizazz for Obama, as if he were a celebrity or dare I say, a god, must've stung just a little. And the guy hasn't even done anything yet. Bush never had that. I guess my heart goes out to the underdog and I can only hope that when Bush crawls into bed tonight, he believes in his heart that he did do all he could and he can feel confident in his role as the president. I'm such a girl, but this is what I felt today.
hey jon,
i enjoyed your blog, and have to say i agree with a lot of what you're saying. to have that many people out to support Obama, to have that many people watch, it almost seems like everyone voted for Obama. that is a great starting point, but i think a lot of people, including yourself are still waiting to see what happens, which is fair, especially in these uncertain times. the truth is, he is primed for the chance to be legendary. or he could bomb. the only reason he would bomb would be because everyone might be putting unrealistic expectations on him, although he invites that a bit. but really, even if he doesn't do a whole lot, he hasn't been given much.
what i would say contrary to your blog, is that i found rick warren to be a big disappointment. i felt like, and maybe this is my prejudice, that he was like, we are america, God will hear us. that was my vibe anyways. Obama's speech was really good. i like that he is setting high goals and calling everyone to responsibility. you pulled out one quote where he mentioned something about being aware of the concerns in other countries that we tend to overlook. i wish this would have been more of a theme in the speech. it seemed like a side note, but what do you do on inauguration day? you have to appeal to the people and talk up america. so i hope that is not just a side note in his presidency.
i could go on about this a bit more, but i think that's enough ranting. i dont know that i left really inspired, but i am excited to see what happens and hope he does become legendary.
mmm.. valid point J. I think I was just excited about the fact that the concept of other-centeredness was mentioned at all. Ideally, as you said, it would be a way of life, but in our part of the world, I think it's worth something that it's even mentioned.
re: Warren.. that's interesting.. I've got to go back and listen again, maybe, but I didn't get that from him. I think I was most impressed with the fact that he was clear and confident in terms of what he was about, and what he was there to do, but at the same time he managed to be inclusive of the entire nation. He didn't sound like he was only praying for the Christians, and that this Presidency benefit those who shared his beliefs. I liked that a lot.
One additional thought: I'm intrigued by the fact that, despite the shape of American culture these days, it remains a country steeped in Christian tradition. It's interesting that a ceremony taken in by millions of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Atheists, Agnostics, etc... is bookended by only two prayers, one being offered directly to 'Jesus', and the other to 'God.'
Granted, everybody has their own idea of who Jesus is, and who God is, and many people who believe in God won't identify with Christianity, but it's interesting how that remains the basis of an event like this.
Thanks for your thoughts everybody!
JB
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