The day has come.
Today Barack Hussein Obama took an oath and became the 44th president of the United States of America.
I do not envy him this job. There is a lot of ugliness around: two unpopular wars that have gone on too long, a fallen economy, and tragic national debt. He cannot fix all of these ills. Not overnight. Not alone.
He is only the leader - but he can only lead if people will follow. We talk of hope and change like these miracle words alone will conquer all. They won't. We all need to put on our big girl panties and get to work. President Obama (gosh, I do love saying that!) can point us in the right direction, but we must go forward together.
I propose that we wake tomorrow to start the first day of the Pay-it-Forward Administration. It is pretty simple really. You already know how it works. Just do something kind for someone for no reason at all, and without expecting anything in return. Volunteer with an organization in need - and not just so it will look nice on your resume. If you see a need and there isn't an organization in place to fill that need, START ONE!
Buy some extra groceries and donate them to a shelter. Help build a home with Habitat for Humanity. Send a care package to an active duty soldier that you don't know. Make a special memory album for a senior citizen. Take the time to learn about the strife in other countries, and not just the ones who make the front page news this week. Find out what YOU can do, as a citizen of the WORLD to help make this a better place to live. We are all neighbors on this planet that grows smaller by the minute.
This would also be a good time to begin writing a journal, if you do not already have one. Make it special. Draw in it, cut and paste images into it, fill it with thoughts and dreams and ideas to make a difference. Share notes. Blog. Inspire.
In the wise words of Mahatma Gandhi "Be the change you wish to see in the world"
I welcome your comments and ideas on how we can make positive changes in our lives that can impact the world.
