I'm 52, and I've had a great first half-century of life (and am looking forward to the next). But this inaugural week I feel an extraordinary happiness. Younger people can understand it to a great degree, but I think many folks my age and older
I, like you, am very euphoric this week. At 48 I know that the bubble will not last and we will have to grind through some difficult times. But I still feel the same excitement and energy. As I told a friend of mine, weeks like this week are anchors to hold onto when the difficult times just need to be endured. I think when Martin Luther King made his speech "I Have a Dream" that was an anchor to hold onto. When all those that have gone before have done something of inspiration, they were anchors for the challenges that are coming up. I will use yesterday as an anchor for the coming storm that I know is gathering and I will remember yesterday jou as yet another anchor.
Amen, Brian. As an American living abroad , I feel I can breathe and hold my head up again. Obama's global understandings and perspectives are greeted with a sigh of relief. Let's enjoy the joy of these moments, and roll our sleeves up for the work ahead. Before the election, a friend here in Armenia told me, "Everyone I know hopes Obama will win, but we think that even if he gets the most votes, those in power will rig the results and block him." She was amazed and thrilled when the election results were announced. So was I!
I was living in Korea during the election and I went to the grocery store the afternoon that the election results came in to buy a bottle of wine so my girlfriend and I could celebrate and the cashier asked me "American?" and I said "Yes, American" and she yelled and said "Yes! Obama! Thank you!"
I too live in Korea. It's interesting to talk American politics with them. They, like the rest of the planet, like Obama. A few Koreans may know and agree with his policy positions, but most like him because he's black. Race plays the primary role in their story of America. When I ask my students about American history they say something like, "Slaves. Shoot Indians."
So, it's interesting that Korea -- a country with no diversity, also had the institution of slavery for hundreds of year, and thinks one's appearance it so important that it requires you to attach a picture and your height and weight to a job resume
I was busy when the inauguration was on TV here in the UK but I videod it and watched it last evening with tears in my eyes. We Brits have no equivalent ceremony when power transfers after an election; a new Prime Minister simply moves into Downing Street. I am old enough (62) to remember the Kennedy inauguration and the hopes that inspired around the world. But this seemed so much more powerful with its message of inclusion not just for the rainbow peoples of the USA but also for all those around the world who will unclench their fists. Of course the road ahead will be long and hard. But as we read Jesus' call the repentance (Mark 1.14) in this Sunday's lectionary is it possible that the most powerful nation on earth is beginning to accept what most of us have been forced to accept for many years which is that we have just one earth to share, that we all depend on each other and that no one nation however powerful can or should bully the rest of us?
Brian: Thank you for sharing. It almost seems that we had nearly lost our capacity to trust, hope, believe and unreservedly embrace the good. We have been jaded by the naysayers into cynicism and fear. Our young people are teaching us how to love and feel joy again.
I, like you, am very euphoric this week. At 48 I know that the bubble will not last and we will have to grind through some difficult times. But I still feel the same excitement and energy. As I told a friend of mine, weeks like this week are anchors to hold onto when the difficult times just need to be endured. I think when Martin Luther King made his speech "I Have a Dream" that was an anchor to hold onto. When all those that have gone before have done something of inspiration, they were anchors for the challenges that are coming up. I will use yesterday as an anchor for the coming storm that I know is gathering and I will remember yesterday jou as yet another anchor.
Amen, Brian. As an American living abroad , I feel I can breathe and hold my head up again. Obama's global understandings and perspectives are greeted with a sigh of relief. Let's enjoy the joy of these moments, and roll our sleeves up for the work ahead. Before the election, a friend here in Armenia told me, "Everyone I know hopes Obama will win, but we think that even if he gets the most votes, those in power will rig the results and block him." She was amazed and thrilled when the election results were announced. So was I!
I was living in Korea during the election and I went to the grocery store the afternoon that the election results came in to buy a bottle of wine so my girlfriend and I could celebrate and the cashier asked me "American?" and I said "Yes, American" and she yelled and said "Yes! Obama! Thank you!"
I too live in Korea. It's interesting to talk American politics with them. They, like the rest of the planet, like Obama. A few Koreans may know and agree with his policy positions, but most like him because he's black. Race plays the primary role in their story of America. When I ask my students about American history they say something like, "Slaves. Shoot Indians."
So, it's interesting that Korea -- a country with no diversity, also had the institution of slavery for hundreds of year, and thinks one's appearance it so important that it requires you to attach a picture and your height and weight to a job resume
I was busy when the inauguration was on TV here in the UK but I videod it and watched it last evening with tears in my eyes. We Brits have no equivalent ceremony when power transfers after an election; a new Prime Minister simply moves into Downing Street. I am old enough (62) to remember the Kennedy inauguration and the hopes that inspired around the world. But this seemed so much more powerful with its message of inclusion not just for the rainbow peoples of the USA but also for all those around the world who will unclench their fists. Of course the road ahead will be long and hard. But as we read Jesus' call the repentance (Mark 1.14) in this Sunday's lectionary is it possible that the most powerful nation on earth is beginning to accept what most of us have been forced to accept for many years which is that we have just one earth to share, that we all depend on each other and that no one nation however powerful can or should bully the rest of us?
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I, like you, am very euphoric this week. At 48 I know that the bubble will not last and we will have to grind through some difficult times. But I still feel the same excitement and energy. As I told a friend of mine, weeks like this week are anchors to hold onto when the difficult times just need to be endured. I think when Martin Luther King made his speech "I Have a Dream" that was an anchor to hold onto. When all those that have gone before have done something of inspiration, they were anchors for the challenges that are coming up. I will use yesterday as an anchor for the coming storm that I know is gathering and I will remember yesterday jou as yet another anchor.
I, like you, am very euphoric this week. At 48 I know that the bubble will not last and we will have to grind through some difficult times. But I still feel the same excitement and energy. As I told a friend of mine, weeks like this week are anchors to hold onto when the difficult times just need to be endured. I think when Martin Luther King made his speech "I Have a Dream" that was an anchor to hold onto. When all those that have gone before have done something of inspiration, they were anchors for the challenges that are coming up. I will use yesterday as an anchor for the coming storm that I know is gathering and I will remember yesterday jou as yet another anchor.
Amen, Brian. As an American living abroad , I feel I can breathe and hold my head up again. Obama's global understandings and perspectives are greeted with a sigh of relief. Let's enjoy the joy of these moments, and roll our sleeves up for the work ahead. Before the election, a friend here in Armenia told me, "Everyone I know hopes Obama will win, but we think that even if he gets the most votes, those in power will rig the results and block him." She was amazed and thrilled when the election results were announced. So was I!
Amen, Brian. As an American living abroad , I feel I can breathe and hold my head up again. Obama's global understandings and perspectives are greeted with a sigh of relief. Let's enjoy the joy of these moments, and roll our sleeves up for the work ahead. Before the election, a friend here in Armenia told me, "Everyone I know hopes Obama will win, but we think that even if he gets the most votes, those in power will rig the results and block him." She was amazed and thrilled when the election results were announced. So was I!
I was living in Korea during the election and I went to the grocery store the afternoon that the election results came in to buy a bottle of wine so my girlfriend and I could celebrate and the cashier asked me "American?" and I said "Yes, American" and she yelled and said "Yes! Obama! Thank you!"
I was living in Korea during the election and I went to the grocery store the afternoon that the election results came in to buy a bottle of wine so my girlfriend and I could celebrate and the cashier asked me "American?" and I said "Yes, American" and she yelled and said "Yes! Obama! Thank you!"
I too live in Korea. It's interesting to talk American politics with them. They, like the rest of the planet, like Obama. A few Koreans may know and agree with his policy positions, but most like him because he's black. Race plays the primary role in their story of America. When I ask my students about American history they say something like, "Slaves. Shoot Indians."
So, it's interesting that Korea -- a country with no diversity, also had the institution of slavery for hundreds of year, and thinks one's appearance it so important that it requires you to attach a picture and your height and weight to a job resume
I too live in Korea. It's interesting to talk American politics with them. They, like the rest of the planet, like Obama. A few Koreans may know and agree with his policy positions, but most like him because he's black. Race plays the primary role in their story of America. When I ask my students about American history they say something like, "Slaves. Shoot Indians."
So, it's interesting that Korea -- a country with no diversity, also had the institution of slavery for hundreds of year, and thinks one's appearance it so important that it requires you to attach a picture and your height and weight to a job resume
I was busy when the inauguration was on TV here in the UK but I videod it and watched it last evening with tears in my eyes. We Brits have no equivalent ceremony when power transfers after an election; a new Prime Minister simply moves into Downing Street. I am old enough (62) to remember the Kennedy inauguration and the hopes that inspired around the world. But this seemed so much more powerful with its message of inclusion not just for the rainbow peoples of the USA but also for all those around the world who will unclench their fists. Of course the road ahead will be long and hard. But as we read Jesus' call the repentance (Mark 1.14) in this Sunday's lectionary is it possible that the most powerful nation on earth is beginning to accept what most of us have been forced to accept for many years which is that we have just one earth to share, that we all depend on each other and that no one nation however powerful can or should bully the rest of us?
I was busy when the inauguration was on TV here in the UK but I videod it and watched it last evening with tears in my eyes. We Brits have no equivalent ceremony when power transfers after an election; a new Prime Minister simply moves into Downing Street. I am old enough (62) to remember the Kennedy inauguration and the hopes that inspired around the world. But this seemed so much more powerful with its message of inclusion not just for the rainbow peoples of the USA but also for all those around the world who will unclench their fists. Of course the road ahead will be long and hard. But as we read Jesus' call the repentance (Mark 1.14) in this Sunday's lectionary is it possible that the most powerful nation on earth is beginning to accept what most of us have been forced to accept for many years which is that we have just one earth to share, that we all depend on each other and that no one nation however powerful can or should bully the rest of us?
Brian: Thank you for sharing. It almost seems that we had nearly lost our capacity to trust, hope, believe and unreservedly embrace the good. We have been jaded by the naysayers into cynicism and fear. Our young people are teaching us how to love and feel joy again.
