What does it mean…to be alive; to be present at a moment such as this?
Back in June of this year, after watching Barack Obama proclaim victory in the very hotly contested Democratic primaries, I was moved to write a poem titled “I (Eye) Witness to History.” In that poem, I shared my thoughts about what I was seeing; what I was witnessing in that history-making moment and what it may mean for those of us who were blessed to be present at that moment in time.
Now, here we are at another incredible moment. On the eve of this, the most important presidential election in the history of this country, I ask myself: "What does this all mean? How do we effectively characterize this moment, not only for ourselves but for our children, and for theirs, so that we and they can truly know the history that is being made?" This is a moment that I can only characterize as deep, profound and awe-inspiring. And even those words, as powerful as they are, do not seem sufficient. It is a moment that is, as I describe in “I (Eye) Witness to History,” ‘…prophesy fulfilled…the manifestation of dreams held, but unspoken; of dreams shouted out loud, but unheard; the dreams of those who came before; died for; died before.’
But what is this moment about, really? Is it about an election? Change? The audacity of hope? Or, is it about those things and more – something greater; something grander; something that touches us in a much deeper place; a more soulful place…a place of commonality, connectivity and community? I would argue that leaders are only as good as the willingness of their followers to follow them and that willingness comes from followers being touched by their leaders, inspired by their leaders and, in many ways, awakened by their leaders to something that stirs their spirit and allows their soul to soar in ways undone before.
Back in June of this year, after watching Barack Obama proclaim victory in the very hotly contested Democratic primaries, I was moved to write a poem titled “I (Eye) Witness to History.” In that poem, I shared my thoughts about what I was seeing; what I was witnessing in that history-making moment and what it may mean for those of us who were blessed to be present at that moment in time.
Now, here we are at another incredible moment. On the eve of this, the most important presidential election in the history of this country, I ask myself: "What does this all mean? How do we effectively characterize this moment, not only for ourselves but for our children, and for theirs, so that we and they can truly know the history that is being made?" This is a moment that I can only characterize as deep, profound and awe-inspiring. And even those words, as powerful as they are, do not seem sufficient. It is a moment that is, as I describe in “I (Eye) Witness to History,” ‘…prophesy fulfilled…the manifestation of dreams held, but unspoken; of dreams shouted out loud, but unheard; the dreams of those who came before; died for; died before.’
But what is this moment about, really? Is it about an election? Change? The audacity of hope? Or, is it about those things and more – something greater; something grander; something that touches us in a much deeper place; a more soulful place…a place of commonality, connectivity and community? I would argue that leaders are only as good as the willingness of their followers to follow them and that willingness comes from followers being touched by their leaders, inspired by their leaders and, in many ways, awakened by their leaders to something that stirs their spirit and allows their soul to soar in ways undone before.
This kind of awakening is about much more than an election, change or hope (no matter how audacious)…it is, really, about a preferred way of being in this world; one that we all share and deep down we all prefer; a way of being that is not driven by the limitations of fear & division, but is based on bringing out the very best of who we are not for our own selfish gain but for our greater benefit and for the benefit of those around us. This kind of awakening, that is grander and greater than any election, change or hope, is like an uncloaking – a removal of the veil we once accepted and believed was our only reality (the veil of fear, isolation, individualism, exclusion, division, fighting, etc.) only to discover another reality – one that embodies hope, change, opportunity, inclusion, community, promise, etc.; one that reveals to us who we really are (and, thus, have always been) with the awesome promise of what we can truly become. This kind of awakening makes our future look so much brighter…dare I say…illumined!!! And it is from this place, this awakened place; this illumined place that we can make the kinds of decisions, do the kind of work, as individuals, as a community and as a country that will make us great again…not just in the eyes of others, but most importantly, in our own eyes.
So if this moment in history is not just about an election, change or hope; if it is, in fact, about an ‘awakening,’ so described, what has been Barack Obama’s role; his purpose? Is his presence and his campaign solely about winning an election? If so, all this ends in the next 24 hours. I would argue, however, that Barack Obama’s role is much greater and much deeper for each of us. Beyond being a political party leader and, more than possibly, the leader of a country and the leader of the free world…beyond all of that, I see Barack Obama’s role; his purpose as a calling forth – calling forth you, calling forth me, calling forth each and every individual who has been touched, inspired and awakened by his leadership. You see, we are only touched by and we only respond to those characteristics in others that speak to the same in ourselves. We respond to anger in others, because it reflects the same anger we have in ourselves. We are inspired by the joy in others because it speaks to the joy we have in ourselves. Like attracts like, whether we recognize it or not. Therefore, people have been responding to all that we ascribe to Barack Obama not because he’s any more special than any of us, but because what he brings invokes, inspires and awakens the very same that exists in ourselves…just waiting to be called forth.
So, no, this is not just about an election, change or hope…it is about those things but so much more. It is truly about ushering in a new era of being for each of us; one in which we are all uncloaked; where the veil is removed to reveal the very best of who we are and who we desire to be – for us all to see and for us all to benefit. We are intentionally ushering in an era where the emperor indeed has no clothes…and we and our children and theirs will be all the better for it!
Be called forth. Be uncloaked. Be unveiled. Be seen. BE ILLUMINED!
So if this moment in history is not just about an election, change or hope; if it is, in fact, about an ‘awakening,’ so described, what has been Barack Obama’s role; his purpose? Is his presence and his campaign solely about winning an election? If so, all this ends in the next 24 hours. I would argue, however, that Barack Obama’s role is much greater and much deeper for each of us. Beyond being a political party leader and, more than possibly, the leader of a country and the leader of the free world…beyond all of that, I see Barack Obama’s role; his purpose as a calling forth – calling forth you, calling forth me, calling forth each and every individual who has been touched, inspired and awakened by his leadership. You see, we are only touched by and we only respond to those characteristics in others that speak to the same in ourselves. We respond to anger in others, because it reflects the same anger we have in ourselves. We are inspired by the joy in others because it speaks to the joy we have in ourselves. Like attracts like, whether we recognize it or not. Therefore, people have been responding to all that we ascribe to Barack Obama not because he’s any more special than any of us, but because what he brings invokes, inspires and awakens the very same that exists in ourselves…just waiting to be called forth.
So, no, this is not just about an election, change or hope…it is about those things but so much more. It is truly about ushering in a new era of being for each of us; one in which we are all uncloaked; where the veil is removed to reveal the very best of who we are and who we desire to be – for us all to see and for us all to benefit. We are intentionally ushering in an era where the emperor indeed has no clothes…and we and our children and theirs will be all the better for it!
Be called forth. Be uncloaked. Be unveiled. Be seen. BE ILLUMINED!
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