A New Hope

40 people cheered today when I said two words: “Obama won.”

I didn’t shout it. It was more matter-of-fact, but 40 people, of all ages, from over 20 different countries, in India, started to clap and holler the moment I spoke.

It threw me a bit. I knew that people here wanted Obama to win the election, but the look of delight and excitement that spread through the room rushed at me. I glowed.

I heard two really fascinating comments throughout the course of this auspicious day.

The first came from my international crew in Panchgani. The most common thing I heard from them was “congratulations”. Seemed a strange word to hear from those in the community here. Some knew that I supported Obama, but this wasn’t a congratulations given to me because my candidate won the election. This congratulations had a different tone. It was the congratulations you give someone when they are part of something that has gone right. The kind you might give to a family member when the first kid graduates high school. Or maybe that you would give to Godfather at his Godson’s christening. The congratulations of communal goodwill. The congratulations of a step that symbolizes much more than a singular accomplishment, but also the many steps of the many wo supported it and paved the way to make it possible. It’s the congratulations you give when you admire something that resonates deep within, even if you don’t know why. It’s the congratulations of a new day and the hope that comes with it. It’s the congratulations given to the courageous, the changemakers and the group that has moved towards realizing their potential.

The second refrain I heard in different forms from those at home came out like this: “I’m proud of America and I’m proud to be an American.” It’s almost unfathomable to me that I could hear that statement from people in my generation. My parents and grandparents? Sure. But my peeps? Not in a million years…until today. Hearing those words demonstrated to me that something of serious consequence happened today. I’m still stunned at this comment.

I spent the afternoon working and patiently waiting for the acceptance speech to stream (a tall task in Panchgani). Above this massive outpouring of emotion and excitement I heard the voice cut through. There is work to do. Yes we can do it. A leader who asks sacrifices of his people would be a complete revolution in this era of US politics. It’s a trait of citizens in days gone that I’ve always admired. I’m on board and ready to go. In fact, I’ve been ready and working and now the ship has a new course.

Today a dream was fulfilled and I had a healthy dose of hope restored. It’s hard to know what the future holds and what the “change” will look like, but I do know that change is necessary. It’s my earnest prayer that wisdom will prevail in this administration and we will begin to build the country into something exceptional. If that happens…well then there will be even more reason for congratulations.

Something great has been achieved today. And there is a kind of purity in the air. The kind of purity that only exists alongside the promise of a new day. I’m embracing.