"When you choose to serve -- whether it's your nation, your community or simply your neighborhood -- you are connected to that fundamental American ideal that we want life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness not just for ourselves, but for all Americans. That's why it's called the American dream."
These are Barack Obama's words. Look and feel what they spell out. What spell they cast. Check out the website for the transition - change.gov
Patriotism was just reclaimed. My teenage son said last night how weird he feels, as it is the first time in his life he is feeling proud to be an American. It both feels like we are in a dream, and that we've waken up.
The American Dream just expanded into something completely different than the selfishness of the past decades. It no longer is a nightmare.
We, the People. All of Us. Obama, you can count on me to be serving. I am for this dream.
5 comments:
There is a Quaker idea, about the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven--that it's an inward event, not the Rapture of modern day evangelicals. The idea is that the Kingdom of Heaven is inside of us when we live outwardly as if it were all around us.
Kind of a 17th century "be the change you want to see in the world."
I know that the world did not change overnight. But if enough of us can commit to living in the American Dream that you are writing about here, well, then it will have arrived.
It's lovely to be able to look up from the grueling work of trying to live justly in an often unjust, cynical, and punitive world, and to notice that the folks who are willing to live in the Dream are all around us.
Heck, we even managed something like a majority this time at bat. Not too shabby, and a good motivator to get back in those trenches and keep digging... with a little more joy in the work, too.
Great post!
I have often thought about the Declaration of Independence as a Spell. It has all the ingredients; Intent, Will, and Acting in Accord. Never mind the fact that by signing the document the Founding Fathers were literally dedicating their lives to their cause.
I thought one of the most moving and beautiful expressions of joy in the last few days was Condelezza Rice's brief statement about the election.
http://www.state.gov/video/?videoid=1902533654
"But one of the great things about representing this country is it continues to surprise; it continues to renew itself; it continues to beat all odds and expectations. You just know that Americans are not going to be satisfied until they really do form that perfect union. And while the perfect union may never be in sight, we just keeping working at it and trying."
I just wanted to cry as I saw here saying that, because despite the disagreements I have with the administration she has served, I could in that moment see that she is as passionate a patriot and devout believer in the Ideals of this nation as am I.
Back to the founders...
By signing the Declaration they were potentially committing Treason against the British Empire and signing their own death warrant.
(ok, technically speaking they DID commit Treason against the British Empire, but in this case they won the war so Britain never really pressed the issue...)
The Constitution could also be seen as a spell, even if the risks inherent in the writing of it were less.
Now We The People must act in accord with the Declaration and the Constitution. Thanks for the rallying cry
Deborah,
I've been inspired by recent events to start a new blog and yahoogroup for those interested in working towards GLBT civil rights. I would very much welcome your input and advice.
the group is
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gaymarriageorsomethinglikeit/
Please take a look at the blog and let me know what you think!
Thank you for your time,
Pax
D'oh!! The blog can be found at
http://gaymarriageorsomethinglikeit.blogspot.com/
Thanks again, not only for your time but for your writings!
Peace,
Pax
Hellooo :)
I finally made those acorn beads. Could you email me your address.
Thanks
Magda
http://users.livejournal.com/faerose_/
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