Over a year ago, I made a commitment to support Barack Obama. I felt he was the right person for me to support. Being LDS, (Mormon) I found being an Obama supporter complicated at times. Not so much for me, but for some of my faith and others in my circle of friends.
I signed on early in the campaign to walk in my neighborhood, be a caucus leader and to put a yard sign up and a bumper sticker on my car. Because of these political choices, heard comments from some church folks about these choices, criticism from those who share my faith and from those that do not, snide comments in meetings such as Sunday School, questions of regarding my religious beliefs and even direct questioning of my faith. I still do not understand why my choice to choose Obama made such a stir in others. Maybe they wanted to admit to themselves they felt 'something' from him, but could not out of fear. I always chose to be positive, to smile and to not make comments back or about others. It was OK. I grew and I felt self-supported. And, I felt God's acknowledgement of my agency and my choice.
I have always felt in my heart that Mr. Obama was the right choice for our country at this time. It has been my choice. My vote. And now, he is my president. I am overwhelmed at the outcome and my feelings.
I get emotional each time I see him with his wife and children I remember hearing a radio interview with her when she said, "Barack has never disappointed me..." I felt the spirit tell me that this is what a marriage should be. We should strive to never disappoint each other.
I am so looking forward to 1/20/09. To me, this date in our history signifies change, a hoped for shift in our country. I know it will take time, there will be criticisms, there will be nay-sayers, there will be more harsh comments to endure, but my faith in Barack Obama is strong. My faith in God is secure. My heart is full. I love this country. I love my Faith. I love my spiritual path. I love that we GET to choose our President. Now, may we all move forward and find connection, love and make the effort to make a difference.
May we all feel hope in our futures.
4 comments:
Hi Janet - Thanks for sharing your feelings - it was fun to see your blog this morning. I believe many people share those feelings with you today. It has been very moving to watch the proceedings culminating in today's ceremony.
Although he wasn't the candidate I supported, I totally support him as our new president and will pray for his success and for his little family. It is a huge gift on the part of any individual person to put their own little family in the spotlight of the public and serve. It is not a gift I take lightly. I truly appreciate the sacrifice.
Joyce
Well that is what our fore fathers fought and died for that we would be able to choose for ourselves. Hope is all we have, and I think we all are hoping for a better future for our children!
I appreciate your post, Janet. I am sure that today is a very happy day for you, and I am sorry that your faith was questioned because of your choice. That's arrogant. I didn't hear anything like that from my friends or at my ward.
This presidential election was conflicting for me. My friends and I made every effort to understand where the candidates stood on the big issues before we made our selections. We downloaded info from the websites and we watched the debates, then we got together to discuss. We felt our country was at a critical time and we wanted to make the right decision.
I have had a difficult time embracing Obama like so many others have embraced him because he hasn't done anything yet. That doesn't mean I doubt that he will do some great work, I just couldn't jump on the train without some evidence. On the issues that were important to me, I was never able to understand where he stood and what his plan was. I still don't really know. His website was vague.
I saw an interview between Tavis Smiley and Laurence Fishborne (I know I didn't spell that right), wherein LF said that it's not so much what Obama's going to do, it's what we're going to do. If Obama inspires people to do great things - like being less reliant on the government and more self-reliant, then that is a very good thing.
I remain open-minded and hopeful, though. I want his presidency to be successful.
I didn't watch the inauguration. I am waiting for my son to stop killing people on the X-Box to see what I taped. My students who saw it said Obama's speech was very inspiring. I'm sure it was; he's a very articulate speaker. I came back to your blog to get your take on the day's events.
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