This man, of mixed descent, who described his father as "black as pitch" and his mother as "white as milk" felt like an outsider most of his life. No stranger to loss and suffering, (essential to the Hero's Journey), he saw his father only once at age 10, and lost his mother to ovarian cancer when he was 34. We grieved with him when his beloved grandmother died, only 2 days before his election. Yet he was able to transform his suffering into a mission to serve the greater good. Golden Boy meets Dark Knight.
Barack has already paid some dues, but there will be more to come. He may have raised record amounts of money to get elected, but that just got him in the door. There are dues yet to be paid, for which money will not be the means of exchange.
Opportunities
to find deeper powers within ourselves
come when life seems most challenging.
Joseph Campbell
As citizens, we will need to pay our dues as well. Indifference and ignorance come with a high price tag. Hubris and arrogance of power exact a heavy toll. The bill is due, America. Call in the Dark Knight. I think we're ready to take this on.
In honor of Obama's inauguration, I share this inspiring video with you. As you watch it, see the Hero's Journey of Barack being played out before us.
Godspeed, Barack and America. May the wind be at our backs. And just for good measure, shall we all join hands as we walk down this long, dark hallway together?
Will you do your part and inaugurate yourself along with Barack on Tues. Jan. 20th? See Arianna's post on citizen inauguration here.
What is your part in helping to restore the soul of America? What are your hopes for President Obama? If you could ask of him or tell him the one thing you think is most important for the restoration of our collective soul, what would that be?
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Reprinted from original posting at huffingtonpost.com
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