jump to navigation

The Presidential Pledge January 25, 2009

Posted by admin in : Politics Tags:, , , , , , , 4comments

Oprah had a special pre-inauguration show on Monday, January 19th where special guests included Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher in recognition of the Presidential Pledge video they produced on Myspace Celebrity, which was then presented to Obama during the inaugural festivities. The celebrity power couple filmed over 50 of their friends and colleagues pledging their promise to be a part of the change every American wanted to see under the new Administration. 

People pledged to do whatever they could to make America a stronger and more dignified country by promising to do anything from smiling more to being more green to not giving anyone the finger in traffic. I personally thought it was a great contribution during such an extraordinary time of hope and change under the inauguration of the new President Barack Obama, but apparently others did not feel the same.

There was a whole host of negative comments posted on the web from people who thought the video was a lame attempt at celeb self-glorification, but I think the people making those comments were missing the point. How could you take something so beautiful and turn it in to something negative? People’s opinions never cease to amaze me, but that is the society we live in and we are, after all, entitled to our own opinion.  I just think the intention behind the video is what’s important so who cares who initiated the project or the reasoning behind it? There’s a lot of power in collaboration so why not get everyone to collectively come together to support Obama’s call for change?

The intention and hope was to get everyone to participate in the country’s future, as one person can’t make the difference alone. It’s time for us to stand up and take a stand, as it’s going to take a united effort from every single American to make the change we need in order to turn the current state of the country around. My hope in writing this post is that others will be encouraged to make a similar pledge to make a change in their life, as a contribution to making this country a better place to live because each and everyone of us has the power to make a difference.  

I am proud to be an American and I have hope that our country is going to recover from this recession. We are stronger and smarter and far more superior to the alter-egos who have gotten in to the way and stunted the growth of this Nation. There’s been an excessive concern for one’s own self in the past, but it’s time to come together as a collective whole to bring this country back to what it once was.  

“My pledge is to be consciously aware of my thoughts, words, and actions towards myself and others, as not to pass judgment on myself or another.”   

If you feel so inclined, you can make your own pledge by replying to this post. Be sure to say it aloud, as it is commonly held that what is spoken out loud has more power. I will say my pledge aloud and will then hold myself accountable in hopes that you will all do the same. So be it! In full faith!

4 comments

Sharing the Wealth November 24, 2008

Posted by admin in : Politics Tags:, , , , , , add a comment

I typically do not get in to conversations involving politics, but while I was having dinner with the Republican the other night, we talked about the election and what each of us thought about it. He told me the reason he voted for McCain was because he worked really hard and he didn’t think he should have to share his hard-earned money.

I thought about what he said quite a bit because some of us work really hard to achieve a certain level of success and we want to be compensated for it without having to share, but I think part of being blessed with such abundance is giving back to the community. The more we give, the more we receive and that doesn’t mean we should give to get, but it’s important to know people who tithe regularly are usually blessed with prosperity and abundance. Look at Oprah and Bill Gates. Their generosity is absolutely astounding and I think one of the reasons they are so successful is because they have given away so much of their time and money to charities and other organizations. 

Our world is in a constant state of flux…whether we are conscious of it or not, we are always trying to seek balance, as everything and every being has a perfect place in the universal web of life. Looking back to the beginning of time, people always held different positions of authority…there weren’t just chiefs running around minding the tribe…there had to be Indians too. Everyone had a role to play or a job to fill, as the individual parts made up the collective whole. Some people were blessed in life with the right upbringing, the right education, the perfect mentor or just good fortune. It is with these blessings people were able to achieve such greatness in their lives so we should want to give back some of that goodness in hopes it will help others achieve the same.

Think about it. Where would we be without the administrative assistants who run the offices of some of the greatest CEO’s or the brick layers who lay the foundation of our infrastructures or the teachers and police officers who provide services for such low wages? They represent the middle class who Republicans don’t want to share with because they think everyone should earn their own. Well I believe they are earning their own and they make it possible for people to take over large corporations and earn the revenues that enable them to grow and give back, which then feeds the global economy.

Why wouldn’t people want to share with the very teachers who made it possible for them to gain the education they needed in order to climb the corporate ladder? People who earn a lot of money shouldn’t necessarily have to spend all of it helping those who don’t even help themselves, but I think we need to be okay with giving back to those who are willing to work hard, but aren’t fortunate enough to receive the same salary as someone in a senior level management or executive position. 

We all have a place here and we’re all doing the best we know how based on our upbringing and the influences we had in our lives. Nobody should look down upon anyone, as there should be more compassion and understanding and less judgment and hate.

Add a comment

Go Obama!!! November 7, 2008

Posted by admin in : Politics Tags:, , , , , , , , , 1 comment so far

I have to say I was proud to be an American after seeing the record numbers of voters hit the polls this year.  Young voters and other people who never cared to participate in the past came out and endured long grueling lines to cast their vote. I know there are cynics who would say some of these people came out and voted for the wrong reasons, but who is to judge one person’s reason over another.

I’m sure there were people who voted for Obama just because he was black and for McCain because he was white, but whatever the motive, they still came out and acknowledged their right to vote as an American Citizen, which is history in the making.

What impresses me the most is how many people came out to vote because they wanted to see a change. Whether that change meant the first African American President to be elected in to office or to see a change in the way the country was being run, people recognized something wasn’t working and wanted to do something about it. I consider this to be monumental considering how many people typically resist change and would rather be content than step out of their comfort zone.

I also think its good the new voters got what they hoped for because it meant their voices were heard. The younger generations have been screaming out for years trying to get people to listen to them and some even ended up rebelling because nobody paid them any mind. We need to start responding to what these generations have to say because it’s time we acknowledge the new energy they have to bring to the table. We need a paradigm shift in thinking if we plan on saving the planet, as it has been neglected and abused for too many years.

I remember coming home after my first trip abroad being ashamed of my country because too many Americans were living without regard for anyone else. Lives were full of greed without a lot of respect for others or gratitude for what we had just by being born an American in a free country. I attribute most of it to ignorance and lack of awareness because until you know, you don’t know, but the more people’s eyes open, the more they are responsible. The democratic voice was heard, which means our votes made a difference. It is now up to us to step up to the plate, as one man alone can’t fix the world.

The president can lead us, but he can’t free us from our ignorance. We elected a new vision, but now we must stand up and do our part, which means making peace and forgiving our enemies, respecting our fellow man, not throwing away money for the sake of spending, disposing of trash properly, relinquishing the need to control so much, not judging others, being compassionate, giving without expecting anything in return, and taking care of ourselves physically, emotionally, and mentally.

We can’t sit back and blame the government for everything wrong in this world, as we are just as much to blame. Yes, the government lent money to those who couldn’t afford to pay the loans back, but don’t you think some of those people knew they couldn’t afford them and signed the papers anyway? We can also blame the government for high health care cost, but don’t you think one of the biggest reasons the premiums are so high is because people don’t take care of themselves?

It’s not just the government. It’s you…it’s me…it’s your neighbor…its Joe the Plumber. Until we take responsibility for our own lives, we can’t point fingers or blame the leader of our country. It’s just not fair to give all that to one person. I wouldn’t want Obama’s job for anything in the world because no matter who was to blame for the state of our economy, he has a long road ahead of him. We can help shorten the road by participating and doing what we can in our own lives. It’s all for one and one for all…it’s about time we came together as a team…in the famous words of the Pledge of Allegiance…”One Nation Under God.”

1 comment so far