What struck me in the story, besides its simple beauty was how well the presidents and their families treated this man who was for all intents and purposes part of a vast array of household help. To know that people still take time out of their busy lives to treat others as individuals deserving of respect and recognition gives me hope for mankind.
I'm still jet-lagged from spending the last week on the East Coast. Like the rest of the country I'm keyed up with anticipation over the future of our country under President Barack Obama. I'm trying to keep my expectations low. Interviewing policy experts, politicians and ordinary people, I realize that alot of hopes lie with Obama. Too many in my estimation. The peaceniks aren't going to get their quick end to the war. Iraq is a bloody quagmire and Afghanistan is as unbreachable as Sudan. Obama may be able to broker a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians but President Carter did also and we see how long that lasted.
Closer to home, I'm excited about the challenge our new president sets before each of us: to change our lives. We can't go on the old way. Those of us who voted for Obama did so because we believe in his potential to change our world. But we shouldn't forget that the other part of that bargain included believing in our own ability to change. It is time to live simply, so others may simply live.
No need to take vows of poverty or silence. I rather like the idea of enjoying what I have, whether its money or the biggest mouth this side of the Mississippi. I've always exercised a certain joie de vivre but mostly around significant events or objects. Now, everything must become significant. Every touch, every bite, every smell signals that I am alive and have elected change. Thinking of it, I am elated and if I'm honest, a bit tired. Change requires energy. :)
Et tu?
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