Chundles

Today, Barack Hussein Obama officially became the 44th President of the United States of America as the peaceful transfer of power from George W. Bush to President Obama took place on the world stage. On many levels, today is a new day. One filled with pride and hope--for America as a Nation, for Americans, and for nations and people all over the world who desire freedom, democracy, and prosperity.

The two primary focal points of today's ceremonies and the related media coverage were a)more than 40 years after the Civil Rights Act was passed, our Nation's first African American took office as President, and b)the last 8 years of war, recession, dogmatic policy, political nepotism, arrogant leadership and our crumbled reputation around the world are finally over.

Watching the Inaugural festivities over the weekend, I felt a strong sense of pride being an American. It was the same feeling I had on Election night, but only stronger given how close the moment was. Today, as I watched the Obama family take the stage in their final moments before the transition of power, my feelings swelled. For the first time in our history, someone who did not descend from Northwest Europe was going to be our President. Less than 200 years after blacks were slaves in this country, and slightly more than 40 years after they finally were granted rights on par with caucasians, a person of color was about to assume the highest office in our nation. None of the world's major countries--in Asia, Africa, South America or "enlightened" Europe--has ever elected a minority to its highest office. It took America to finally (hopefully once and for all) knock down the racial barriers and elect the best man for the job, regardless of his skin color. That in and of itself is reason to be proud.

Watching Obama and his family through the campaign, transition, and again yesterday, for some reason, I feel like I relate to them in ways I've never related to our President before. Perhaps it's my age and the fact that I have a family, but I suspect it's more than that. He's a relatively young person, more or less part of my generation. Given his background, he's also responsible for all the success he's experienced. No one gave him anything, and in fact, because of the color of his skin and his name, he likely faced challenges that only people of color can relate to. While his success thus far no doubt labels him an extraordinary person, he seems like a down to earth person, rooted in all the trappings (good and bad) of the modern world. And by raising two young daughters, I'm sure that as a husband and a father, he has faced, and will continue to face, many of the same challenges we all do. "Family Values" have been hijacked in America by the religious right, and I'm confident the Obama's will grasp the opportunity to set an example to all American families and take back the concept of family values from those who've used it for political game. After all, what happens in our homes and with our children is far more important than dogmatic politics.

Unlike many prior Presidents, Obama made a bold and clear departure from the previous administration in his Inauguration Speech. There were no unnecessary platitudes thrown Bush's way. In making this break, not only was Obama reinforcing the message of his campaign, but he was sending a message to all Americans, and people everywhere, that change had arrived. Implementing that change will be complex and will take time, but doing things differently--at home and abroad, with our words and with our actions, and in all segments of our lives and industries--will define his administration. For us to change, we must admit and accept, like President Obama said, our past unwillingness to make the hard decisions, and put in the effort required to get our country on a new path. Old arguments must fall by the wasteside, and we must adapt if we are to learn new ways to live and flourish in the modern age. We must do this for ourselves, our children, their children, and generations to come. Just like those who founded our nation did.

On those two key levels--the historic nature of our first African American President and the necessity for change--again, I am filled with pride and hope. Pride in our country, and hopeful that we elected the right leader to fix all that has gone awry over the last 8 years and establish the foundation that will take America into the coming decades and centuries. But yesterday also meant something deeply personal to me. The President's message of change, especially since the economic crises began in September, has been not just about government, but also about all of us as individuals. What can we do differently in our lives to help ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and our country?

Part of this is a call to public service. But for me, at this amazing moment in our history coupled with the confluence of things going on in my life, I've never felt more motivated and inspired to change myself. Change has to come from within--no one can be forced to make changes they're not ready for or do not want themselves. The only thing we, as individuals, can control is our own actions. My actions and efforts will be directed at becoming a better person, a better husband, a better father, a better family member, a better member of the human race, and a better leader and team member at work. In my efforts, I don't intend to leave any stones unturned. As with our new administration, everything is up for re-evaluation.

I am confident not only in my ability to change, but also in the capacity for all of us to change. This moment in my life and our history, and our new President, have inspired me to do so. I know the same is true for millions of others as well. While there's no time like the present, I'm also looking forward to the amazing change that we will all create over the coming days, months and years. It's a new day, we are on a new path, and we will make our own history.