SilverPhoenix's 22 cents: What can we take from this moment
Good Morning, Live Journal.
Good Morning, Friends of my Live Journal
Good Morning to anyone who may read this
And a special Good Morning, not just to America, but the rest of the world.
Less than 12 hours ago, the 2008 election for the President of the United States of America ended. Less than 12 hours ago, John McCain conceded his bid for the Presidency. Less than 12 hours ago, we have made history.
Barack Obama will be the President of the United States of America.
Now I know I posted about this little happening last night, but there was no way in hell that I was going to be able to post something more coherent considering my delirium in the celebratory mood that was all around me last night. However, now that I have gotten some sleep, and let my mind think about this, there is something bigger than needs to be said. Forget about the politics for a second. Forget about who won, and who lost, and look at this from a different perspective, and after this entry is said and done, I hope you pick up on this too.
Take a good look at everything that has happened in the past year. Take a good look at how this happened, and tell me what do you see?
Personally, I see these things.
1) That people can still change things in this country from the bottom up.
2) That "the people" can still come together, and elect the president of the United States.
3) That you can accomplish things from hard work.
4) That it is possible to pull yourself up.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, last night showed us all of that. From that pivotal event, I feel we have learned those things. Remember, Mr. Obama did not have the support of his political machine as he announced his run for this office. In fact, almost everyone (myself included), didn't think he had a chance to win when he first started. He had to get out there, make his intentions known to people all across America, and sell them on how he could be a springboard for change. And even when it seem like he was going to win, up until 2 months ago, we weren't sure if the power players in his party were going to support him. It all came together at the end, but at times, it sure didn't look like it.
And that goes into what I think is the second part of the lessons learned from all of this. In the past two months, there were people who were with Obama, but were doubting his victory every step of the way. Getting nervous over every shift in the polls that went to McCain's favor. Citing the Bradley effect over and over (among other BS factors). Playing the role of Chicken Little and Concern Troll, and it really got to my nerves. And as much as I thought I would fall into that little trap, something happened.
Not only did I not fall into that trap, but I found my belief level raised, almost every time Obama spoke. Every debate just made me feel better. Every speech made me more confident. And by the time the third debate was over, there was very little to no doubt as to how this would go in my mind. Especially, after understanding why Kerry lost. And it goes to show you these things.
1) Cynicism is not cool
2) Optimism is. No matter how hard it is sometimes.
3) The Chicken little mentality is horseshit
4) NEVER! EVER! GIVE! UP! Till the last bell!
5) Always believe in yourself.
Yesterday was a big lesson in all of these little nuggets of wisdom, and if you get nothing else out of the election, then understand that.
Lets face it, Obama made himself from the ground up. Here was a man who came from humble beginnings, and made something amazing of himself. Here is a man who has not just fulfilled the American Dream, but has fulfilled what I think is the dream of all free men on this beautiful planet of ours.
To be able to make of yourself, whatever you want to make of yourself.
This is probably, if not the greatest success story the world has ever seen, and if you think that just celebrating this fact is enough, then you haven't carried away one of the most potent lessons of last night, which is this.
We all have the opportunity to shape our lives. We just need to believe, and never give up on our dreams. And when times get tough, we get tougher to squash them.
That's what President Obama did, and that is now what we have to do. Otherwise, we sully the moment.
Time to take from some Gurren Lagann here.
This event has opened a great hole in the fabric of the Universe. What this means as far as the future goes, is not certain yet. However, it means that we have a chance to take ourselves a lot further than we ever have before. We have a chance to see things we never had. And we have a chance to find a better future for all of us.
The biggest impact of the day is this. Hope and Inspiration have now begun to flow in ways it never has. And it'll be those things that will get people to places they never thought possible. And as for myself, I will be going through the hole, and I will take advantage of the hope and inspiration that the future gives us. Even though I knew I want to be something great, no matter what happened, this just gives me even more hope for that future.
Thank you, President Obama. Thank you, for inspiring me, and others to never give up on their dreams. And even if your presidency fails, your impact will remain for all time.
Good Morning, Friends of my Live Journal
Good Morning to anyone who may read this
And a special Good Morning, not just to America, but the rest of the world.
Less than 12 hours ago, the 2008 election for the President of the United States of America ended. Less than 12 hours ago, John McCain conceded his bid for the Presidency. Less than 12 hours ago, we have made history.
Barack Obama will be the President of the United States of America.
Now I know I posted about this little happening last night, but there was no way in hell that I was going to be able to post something more coherent considering my delirium in the celebratory mood that was all around me last night. However, now that I have gotten some sleep, and let my mind think about this, there is something bigger than needs to be said. Forget about the politics for a second. Forget about who won, and who lost, and look at this from a different perspective, and after this entry is said and done, I hope you pick up on this too.
Take a good look at everything that has happened in the past year. Take a good look at how this happened, and tell me what do you see?
Personally, I see these things.
1) That people can still change things in this country from the bottom up.
2) That "the people" can still come together, and elect the president of the United States.
3) That you can accomplish things from hard work.
4) That it is possible to pull yourself up.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, last night showed us all of that. From that pivotal event, I feel we have learned those things. Remember, Mr. Obama did not have the support of his political machine as he announced his run for this office. In fact, almost everyone (myself included), didn't think he had a chance to win when he first started. He had to get out there, make his intentions known to people all across America, and sell them on how he could be a springboard for change. And even when it seem like he was going to win, up until 2 months ago, we weren't sure if the power players in his party were going to support him. It all came together at the end, but at times, it sure didn't look like it.
And that goes into what I think is the second part of the lessons learned from all of this. In the past two months, there were people who were with Obama, but were doubting his victory every step of the way. Getting nervous over every shift in the polls that went to McCain's favor. Citing the Bradley effect over and over (among other BS factors). Playing the role of Chicken Little and Concern Troll, and it really got to my nerves. And as much as I thought I would fall into that little trap, something happened.
Not only did I not fall into that trap, but I found my belief level raised, almost every time Obama spoke. Every debate just made me feel better. Every speech made me more confident. And by the time the third debate was over, there was very little to no doubt as to how this would go in my mind. Especially, after understanding why Kerry lost. And it goes to show you these things.
1) Cynicism is not cool
2) Optimism is. No matter how hard it is sometimes.
3) The Chicken little mentality is horseshit
4) NEVER! EVER! GIVE! UP! Till the last bell!
5) Always believe in yourself.
Yesterday was a big lesson in all of these little nuggets of wisdom, and if you get nothing else out of the election, then understand that.
Lets face it, Obama made himself from the ground up. Here was a man who came from humble beginnings, and made something amazing of himself. Here is a man who has not just fulfilled the American Dream, but has fulfilled what I think is the dream of all free men on this beautiful planet of ours.
To be able to make of yourself, whatever you want to make of yourself.
This is probably, if not the greatest success story the world has ever seen, and if you think that just celebrating this fact is enough, then you haven't carried away one of the most potent lessons of last night, which is this.
We all have the opportunity to shape our lives. We just need to believe, and never give up on our dreams. And when times get tough, we get tougher to squash them.
That's what President Obama did, and that is now what we have to do. Otherwise, we sully the moment.
Time to take from some Gurren Lagann here.
This event has opened a great hole in the fabric of the Universe. What this means as far as the future goes, is not certain yet. However, it means that we have a chance to take ourselves a lot further than we ever have before. We have a chance to see things we never had. And we have a chance to find a better future for all of us.
The biggest impact of the day is this. Hope and Inspiration have now begun to flow in ways it never has. And it'll be those things that will get people to places they never thought possible. And as for myself, I will be going through the hole, and I will take advantage of the hope and inspiration that the future gives us. Even though I knew I want to be something great, no matter what happened, this just gives me even more hope for that future.
Thank you, President Obama. Thank you, for inspiring me, and others to never give up on their dreams. And even if your presidency fails, your impact will remain for all time.