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I AM THE CHANGE THAT I SEEK
Affirmation: Change is the first step toward something better.
A few days after my return from cruising, I turned my attention to national events. It was time to elect a new president and I was anxiously waiting for the opportunity to vote in this election.
When the 2008 presidential campaign was in full swing, I watched Senator Barack Obama and listened to his message. His inspiring words resonated throughout the world with each speech he gave. We could feel hopeful again. I, like many people here and abroad wanted change from business as usual.
“But in this election - at this moment - you are standing up all across this country to say, not this time. This time must be different. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” (excerpt - Super Tuesday Speech – Iowa Caucus Night - Chicago, IL, February 5, 2008)
On November 4, 2008, I cast my vote for this gifted man of hope and change.
It was an exciting time in our nation and in our world, when after months of campaigning Barack Hussein Obama won the election and became the first African American President of the United States.
“This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.” (excerpt Election Night Victory Speech Grant Park, Illinois, November 4, 2008)
President Obama admonished not only our nation, but the world to listen to our better angels as he spoke of healing our nation, repairing our world and making this time different than all the rest. Yes We Can.
“At this defining moment, change has come to America. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.” (excerpt, President Obama’s Inaugural Speech, January 20, 2009).
At pivotal moments in my life inspirational messages have come to me in different ways; such as a self-help book, an enlightened conversation, constructive criticism or the voice of a presidential candidate. These random messages are reminders that applying hope and change not only makes the world a better place, but on a personal note, enhances the quality of my life. The world was going through phenomenal changes and so was I.
By Thanksgiving I had developed a persistent cough. Then on December 13, 2008, I was diagnosed with pneumonia, a first for me and possibly another symptom of prolonged exposure to toxic mold caused by ongoing flooding, the subject of my next book. While resting and recuperating, I looked within for answers to personal sorrows and the impact of those sorrows.
Inner healing takes time and self-reflection; however, self-reflection is a lifetime process because we are always experiencing and therefore need time to reflect on our experiences. Each day can bring positive change.
Can I be the change that I seek? Yes I Can. I will not be trapped by painful memories from my past. I will not be controlled by unresolved anger and negative emotions. I can continue on my path of recovery using healing techniques such as anger management, behavior modification, prayer and positive thinking to deal with inner pain. Yes I Can. I can choose happiness over depression; love over hate; forgiveness over anger; peace over conflict; hope over fear and truth over lies. Yes I Can.
Thank you, President Obama for reminding me that I am the change that I seek. Thank you, for reminding people all over the world to join hands and be our brothers and our sisters’ keeper. May we have a more perfect union and through our collective higher consciousness change this world into a loving and peaceful civilization through our positive thoughts, words and deeds.
President Obama was not born into a rich and famous family. He felt the pain and loneliness of an absentee father, a mother’s death that came early and the sarcasm and scorn of those in society who are blinded with hate because of the color of his skin. Yet he continued his race toward his goal and he achieved a monumental first.
This was the beginning of a new era in our country but also a new era for me. I was preparing to tell my story. Fired up and ready to go!
