Notes from the Inauguration

First of all, the inauguration of President Barack H. Obama was an inspiration. When I was a child, I was taught to be proud to be an American. I felt a sense of blind patriotism every time I saw the flag.

As I grew older, especially once I began travelling overseas, it became more difficult to turn a blind eye to the impact our culture has around the world. So, Tuesday morning, when I looked at the mall in Washington and saw almost two millions American flags, waving in joy and celebration as our new president empowered and implored us to "be the change," I couldn't stop the tears.

It was as if the patriotism of my childhood returned to me, this time with eyes wide open. The monuments of Washington, D.C. are majestic and beautiful, but nothing in that landscape could rival the majesty and beauty of millions of Americans watching from around the world, hearts filled with hope, ready to step up and make America the force for good we are destined to be.

As President Obama extended a welcome to our brothers and sisters in foreign countries large and small, it felt like a new era had begun. Never have I been so proud to be an American as I am today.

Yesterday, I caught some of the "post-inauguration" commentary on the news. The most common observation I heard from those who were there was that the feeling of joy was overwhelming.

I thought, "Isn't it interesting, in a speech overflowing with the challenges we face and the need to step it up, that people left with smiles on their faces?"

Maybe it's because, for the first time in a long time, we feel a common sense of purpose. Despite all the material abundance we enjoy as a society, we're awakening to the true essence of prosperity... to have enough so that we may give in service to another.

A new era is dawning in the United States and in the world. We stand as witnesses and as participants in the greatest transformation the planet has ever known. I feel blessed to be here now to take part in the awakening.

God bless America. And God bless us all...