Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Eyes Up Here



D-Viners,

Like millions of other Americans, I watched President Barak Obama's farewell speech last night. It stirred me in many ways. 

I reflected on the memories of that EPIC January day in 2008 when I proudly witnessed our first African-American president take the Oath of Office. Then again, when he swept the 2012 elections and earned a second term. 

I recalled the times I questioned his methods when it came to something new, like the legalization of gay marriage and the mandatory participation in Obamacare. (By the way, I'm so grateful for Obamacare. It has turned out to be a total blessing to me and my family!)

The numerous times I saw President Obama with his wife, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, and for the first time, it didn't seem like some perfectly manufactured image of a public figure and his family.

But overall, one singular theme struck a chord with me throughout President Obama's speech.

Keep your standards and your expectations high.

Yes, this is true as it pertains to our social and political climate, but it begins in a personal place. Having a mindset that simply refuses to sink to a certain level. Not getting wrapped up in petty, arbitrary, pointless battles about things that have no long-term value or positive impact.

In his speech last night, President Obama referred to connecting with something greater than yourself and not allowing fear or apathy to discourage you from getting in the fight.

That's where I am today and going forward.

I'm going to keep my eyes looking first to my God, without whom I can do nothing. Then to my future, which is bold and bright and full of potential and possibilities just waiting to unfold.

So join me, won't you? 

I know there's a lot going on right now, and it can be very tempting to get caught up in complaining and worrying. But I urge you to take a moment to reset your focus. 

Stop talking so much about what's going wrong. Look for what's going right and be thankful for it. Don't worry about what you don't know or what you don't have. Look at what you do know and what you do have already and know that when God breathes on your little, it is destined to become much!

Thanks, Barak and Michelle, for your service, your example, and most of all, for reminding us that we are MORE than what we have become.