Out of everything that has touched and inspired me through this US presidential election, an election that provided me with a three-handkerchief night last night (I’m not ashamed to admit that I was moved to tears), was the humility.
It’s rare to see someone win with such humility. You look at the electoral votes, and it looks like a landslide. But if you look at the popular vote, and you can see that the margin of victory is much, much narrower. And if there’s anything I’ve learned about healing and growth is that nothing can be excluded, left out, pushed out, rejected.
The fact that President-elect Barack Hussein Obama has chosen a path of inclusion, of bringing together, of listening, of humility, without letting go of any strength, determination, focus or sovereignty is what inspires me the most.
If you’re wondering what combination of qualities will help you succeed in business, look to President-elect Obama. Humility, with strength. It’s what we spent five days teaching at the Path to Profitability Retreat. And it’s the core of spiritual growth, and business success.
I’m moved and inspired. We have here in the US a true statesman who is without a doubt in my mind a world leader. Because he’s humble and he includes us.
Peace upon each and every one of us on this very tiny globe we inhabit.
8 Responses
“…inclusion, of bringing together, of listening, of humility, without letting go of any strength, determination, focus or sovereignt….” Accountability, seems to be missing from this list and has been assumed throughout the election. President Elect Obama now needs to walk the talk and be held accountable for what he does and does not do over the next four years. He has a chance, I will pray for his success, but I will not stop short of holding him accontable. Playing the blaming game for the next 4 years is not an option. Peace
I really don’t think President-Elect Obama has fought this unlikely and grueling battle over the last two years because he expects us to be satisfied with a few pretty words!
He made the virtually impossible dream of coming out of nowhere to attain the highest office in the land a reality through almost unbelievably hard work and a strong, sustaining internal vision of what a unified America can accomplish with the right leadership.
His humility, persistence, discipline, soberness, intelligence, methodicalness, ability to connect, inspire and to lead are what assures us that he is indeed aiming, with our much needed help, to make his dreams – which are our dreams – real.
Exactly, Katybeth. It’s because of the grassroots movement that his organization built, of many, many small donations, and uncounted volunteer hours that helps each of us who took part feel like we own it.
And the accountability is a big piece of that. Accountability for his actions, and accountability for our own actions, and how we all engage together.
In humility, this just reminds me of the (esoteric) gift of the role that George Bush has played in our lives. I always saw him as such a boy… playing with power and weapons that he really didn’t understand or know what to do with… And certainly he was the opposite of humble. I felt like, instead, he was always trying to prove how big he was (perhaps so I wouldn’t notice that he was such a boy!) And, I see that that is a game that probably every human being on this planet plays or has played… without exception. We all get caught up trying to show a mask of who we are, to be bigger than we are, as if that will protect our small and vulnerable selves. In Obama’s example, we are reminded how when we admit that we are small… that there are so many forces bigger than us… then our true greatness shows itself. Without us having to pretend.
@Jocelyn, @Yollana- I just want to acknowledge both of you, your words and wisdom and insight. Nothing to add, just cheering you on.
Hi, Mark,
What a beautiful post. I’ve nothing to add to what you, Jocelyn & Yollana have said, except the wish that, somehow, our new president-elect read these words. It will do him good to know exactly why he is so beloved, and also how high our expectations are of him and us, together.
@Anne- Thank you for coming by and adding your presence. It does help to know, and I have a feeling that he does know.
And I wouldn’t complain if he actually saw this blog post. Or is that not humble enough from me? 😉
Am I alone in saying that this doesn’t entirely make sense? How come I’m the only one wondering if this is a big joke.