Obama's Speech - Dinner Table Inspiration - Kirsten | Learn English at EnglishCafe

“Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.”   

Barack Obama 1/20/09

This morning, as I watched the U.S. presidential inauguration I sat back and took a deep breath that  filled me with more strength than any have for some time.   It is impossible to predict what will happen in this country in the coming century, but today was a moment to revel in something that has happened in the past half century.  Today we listened to the words of a man who, if he were born sixty years ago would not enjoy the full rights of a citizen of this country…as he accepted the position of President.   

That deep breath I took was so strengthening because it was full of a reminder and a promise.  The reminder of Barack Obama’s presidency is that not only bad things unfold quickly. Good things, with relentless human effort, can happen quickly too.  Not quickly for those who suffered endlessly under the laws of inequality, but a blink of an eye in the course of human history.  The promise is that we can do better and we can do more. Bolstered by the sturdy foundation of our democratic electoral system, we have the opportunity and the freedom to try harder and create more change.

The other reason I took that deep breath is because Obama’s speech this morning made my job as a mother easier.  I have been working, slowly but surely, on a list of virtues, descriptions of the behaviors I wish to model and the moral imperatives that I hope to bring to the dinner table discussions.  Obama’s call to our nation is one I would like to make to my family at home:   

“… understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned.”

“…all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”

“…our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please… our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause; the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.”

“…the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself”

“know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy”

“hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.”

As my children grow into young adults, we have conversations in which we consider the implications of giving instead of taking, the idea that work toward an understanding of others is for the betterment of our own spirits as well as for the benefit of humankind.  In what seemed to me a plea against selfishness and greed, Obama said, “…the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history.”   

Yes!  "to choose our better history."  It is nice…no, actually, it is a HUGE relief to have a president who expects that of all the citizens of his nation.    

There I go again, another deep, hopeful breath.