Reflections: Moving Forward…
“Tonight … the task of perfecting our union moves forward… we are one American family, and we will rise and fall as one nation.” President Obama
Reflections: Moving Forward… President Obama giving his acceptance speech. (msnbc)
Reflections: Moving Forward… President Obama & Family AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
Obama’s Complete Victory Speech: Obama Wins the 2012 Election
Moving Forward by Rainer Maria Rilke
The deep parts of my life pour onward,
as if the river shores were opening out.
It seems that things are more like me now,
That I can see farther into paintings.
I feel closer to what language can’t reach.
With my senses, as with birds, I climb
into the windy heaven, out of the oak,
in the ponds broken off from the sky
my falling sinks, as if standing on fishes.
via famouspoemsandpoets.org
After many months of campaigns, debates, political ads, vitriol and anticipation, the American people voted. President Obama got re-elected as the 44th President of the United States of America and, regardless of which side we voted for, it is time to move forward as a united country. Congratulations to our president and kudos to all who made the effort to get out there and vote. I am proud of everyone who helped move the process forward; a decisive vote for hope and change. My prayer is that we set aside our differences and petty hatreds and work together to get this great nation back on the road to economic recovery.
“It moves forward because of you. It moves forward because you reaffirmed the spirit that has triumphed over war and depression.” President Obama
Reflections: Moving Forward… President/Mrs. Obama with Vice President/Dr. Biden AP Photo/Chris Carlson
- Reflections: Moving Forward… Governor/Mrs. Romney & Rep/Mrs. Ryan and family. AP Photo/Elise Amendola
Look To This Day by Kalidasa
Look to this day:
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence.
The bliss of growth,
The glory of action,
The splendour of achievement
Are but experiences of time.For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision;
And today well-lived, makes
Yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well therefore to this day;
Such is the salutation to the ever-new dawn! via allpoetry.com
As the President gave his inspired acceptance speech last night, I couldn’t help but reflect on the long road that led him down the path to the presidency; particularly to his second term in office. I reflected on the debates with Gov Romney and the results. I went looking for poems that spoke to me on the magnitude of this election outcome and that represented the positive effort that we can make to pull Americans together in celebration and healing. I know that some folk are still caught up in the maya of negativity but, with time, I hope they’ll come around. Indeed, we will move forward because we reaffirmed the spirit that has triumphed over war, divisiveness and depression. More below!
“Tonight, in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come.” President Obama
Reflections: Moving Forward… President Obama giving acceptance speech. (msnbc)
Reflections: Moving Forward… President Obama & Family AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
Freedom by Rabindranath Tagore
Freedom from fear is the freedom
I claim for you my motherland!
Freedom from the burden of the ages, bending your head,
breaking your back, blinding your eyes to the beckoning
call of the future;
Freedom from the shackles of slumber wherewith
you fasten yourself in night’s stillness,
mistrusting the star that speaks of truth’s adventurous paths;
freedom from the anarchy of destiny
whole sails are weakly yielded to the blind uncertain winds,
and the helm to a hand ever rigid and cold as death.
Freedom from the insult of dwelling in a puppet’s world,
where movements are started through brainless wires,
repeated through mindless habits,
where figures wait with patience and obedience for the
master of show,
to be stirred into a mimicry of life. via allpoetry.com
One thing I know for sure is that the right to vote is one of the greatest freedoms we have. To not exercise that right or to have it suppressed through the machinations of those who wish to thwart the political process is unconscionable. Fear-mongering has no place in the Freedom path. If we want our voices heard, we must vote. If we want to effect change, we must vote. If we don’t vote then we must live with whichever way the wind blows… becoming puppets, and that is not freedom. May we all find peace and love in our hearts to support the president and the enormous task he has at hand. God Bless America.
What are your thoughts? What are you doing to move forward? How do you plan to join hands with others? Do share! Thank you. 🙂
*Please bear with me as I catch up on your blogs and commenting… I’m back on track with reading and responding to your blogs; albeit at a slow pace. Thank you all for your patience! 🙂
Positive Motivation Tip: Moving forward takes a spirit of hope and belief in the greater good to come. Embrace change and Engage!
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos President Obama & Family, VP Biden, Gov Romney, all via Huffington Post, Wikipedia, via Flickr, or via my personal collection
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
chosen as the lesser of the two evils available… We can endure the idiocracy till 2016 and hope comes alive.
Frankly, there is nothing peculiar about the democratic process. The American people have voted. We can work together to take this nation back on the road to recovery. Hope is alive!
Wonderful, thoughtful post!
Thank you and my prayer remains that we can all move forward to heal this nation… We need that more than ever.
Inspiring post Elizabeth – as was Tuesday night, as we watched until 2 am here in Kingston, Jamaica! “Forward” is a fantastic word. Democracy is also about pressing on – making mistakes along the way probably, but continuing to believe, and hope. I also loved the message of hope – the reference to Emily Dickinson’s poem…. 🙂 I move forward one step at a time. It’s the only way.
Thank you Petchary. Forward is indeed an important word and unless we choose to do that, we will remain stuck in the past and bitter. Hope is well and alive!
I was greatly moved by this post. Thank you. If anyone can pull this country back together at this time, I believe Barack Obama can. I will admit I slept sounder on Tuesday night knowing that he will continue on as our President for the next four years.
I hear you Suellen and we will all be better for it if we can come to terms with the fact that the American people voted to keep this nation moving forward. We can do our part to help and heal or stay on the sidelines venting. The choice is ours. TY!
I ditto suellen1234. I have faith that the President will move us forward. I hope the people of these here States will stand United. It’s imperative.
Fabulous post, Elizabeth. Thanks.
Thank you Gemma. It is imperative that we come together and work together. The hatred and divisiveness has to stop. It no longer works to the advantage of those who are stuck in fear and war mongering. Hope is alive and we must all move forward.
Not being an American, I couldn’t vote, but I was so relieved when I woke up and saw the election results. I really admire President Obama, and wish that South Africa could have such a president.
Thank you Adin and it is my wish that all nations elect leaders that will serve all its people. The American people spoke on November 6th. Upwards and onwards!
I’ll second that, Elizabeth. Have a wonderful weekend.
Sylvia x
DITTO! 😉
Amen! I’ve never been more relieved by election results. Everything I’ve read since has pointed to the GOP seriously taking a look at the make up of this country. They are so out of touch and the sooner they catch up the better!
Toasting you Elizabeth! Big step forward!
b
Barb, like you, I was up watching and reading as the results came in. America is a diverse nation with a growing youth and Hispanic population. We must all work together and move this nation forward and solidly into the 21st century. as I’ve said above, fear-mongering no longer works, facts do. Thank you!
This is my favorite post out of all of them.
Thank you Jackie. I hear you!
Like most of you, I am glad the election is completed and we can get about healing the nation. We cut short a vacation so that we would be home in time to vote Tuesday. It is a right and privilege my family takes seriously.
Here is to the future!
Good for you Miriam and I hope you will find time to complete your vacation time as a family. I’m glad the elections are over and we can now move forward together as a nation. TY!
It is sad that such a great nation should have such divisive politics. There seems to be a nasty after-taste with every election.
Well observed Tilly! Sadly, some of those who wish to perpetuate a divided nation have not come on-board. Nevertheless, America will move forward. TY!
I will come back and read post a little bit later my backs giving me some pain. Glad to see you are posting. :+)
Sending you healing light and love… Get better soon. Star! {{{HUGS}}}
Thank You So Much Eliz! :+) Much appreciated.
We are on the same wave length – This is a very thoughtful post . I do love the images of the loving family,too.I believe Obama is best for our country and the world. I particularly like the new videos coming out Obama thanking his staff. a kind, thoughtful gentleman who is strong and smart.
TY Carla! I agree with you. We need to heal and unite this nation not divide it. A lot of the angry rhetoric I heard was divisive and hateful… We need to all develop a more compassionate spirit in our world. 🙂
I think you are so right. It’s time to move forward, it’s time to reach out over the divide. But I am not sure if the parties and their constituencies are ready. Only time would tell. Anyway, congratulations with a “new” president.
TY Munchow! Sadly, there are still some out there peddling hate and fear-mongering. Perhaps, with time, they will seek the healing they need. That much hate cannot be healthy ever.
Thanks again! 🙂
Oh Eliz, I loved this! I read each word with a tear in my eyes. I’m so hopeful…I know how divided our country is right now. I was criticized by a very good friend this week for my support of President Obama. It left me very shaken, actually. But I can’t suppress my desire that we heal and move forward, and that “it” isn’t about party politics. Thanks for giving me a sense that I’m not alone in being hopeful! oxo
I’m continuing to pray that you are doing well! It has to be difficult!
Thank you for sharing your anguish so openly. It is sad that in a democratic nation, some still believe that people should vote for X because of Y. I am hopeful that good will come of this. We are doing better. TY!
Just watching the debates on TV, I was pleased he won.
TY PiP! I’m also glad that it offers an opportunity for people to truly work together for our growth.
I think Amercians are far more into their elections than the Brits are to theirs in the UK
I am not American so did not vote. I was pleased, however, to learn that Obama was voted in. I just hope he gets the support he needs in the senate, etc, so that he can change things for the better of the American people.
Your prayer is mine too… We need to grow up as a nation and work together for the greater good. TY!
Congratulations, President Obama!!
Congrats again too!
“Tonight … the task of perfecting our union moves forward… we are one American family, and we will rise and fall as one nation.” Inspiring. I would hope though that we will be moving towards the rising part than falling. It’s been tough for the past few years and we all need to have a breather in all things. Together we can make a difference if we share one vision.
Yes, the rising part is imperative and it is my prayer too.. TY!
There is so much potiential for so much good in the United States. It would be wonderful to see a new beginning. Your next post on renew is perfect. Hopefully we can focus on the possitive and not so much on all the negitive going forward from here. :+) I enjoyed the poems as well
That is my prayer too… We can do some much together if we stop the selfishness too. TY!
i hope my nation can learn from the American democracy.
accepting the decision of the vote is so important.
thanks for sharing this post. obama’s speech is just inspirational
TY and I hope all nations can work to empower all of their people… that is so important.
I am relieved the president’s been re-elected. Can’t wait to attend his inauguration, again.
Good for you then! Let me know when you are in town again. 🙂
90% in Germany would have voted for Obama – not a joke, reality stats!
I believe you… They do like him and his philosophy. 😉
He somehow has the ability to make us all believe that the ‘best is yet to be’! Not just for America but for the rest of the world as well!
Exactly… and that is what we need now…. hope not derision. TY! 🙂
I watched the election projection live and was rooting for Obama. But he has a long road ahead. Hope he succeeds!
He has a steep hill to climb, and my prayer is that he get the support of both parties to get us back on the road to recovery. TY! 🙂