A POWERFUL DAY INDEED!

My heart, as I am sure so many of yours, is filled with so many emotions this day. I am thrilled to have been home so that I got to not only see all of the joyful celebrations of this mornings historical decision for Gay men and women across this great country, but to watch our President give the eulogy in Charleston, South Carolina. Oh, my, what powerful words from a man that all in one day deals with terrorist attacks going on, gets the amazing ruling from the Supreme Court, and then travels to South Carolina where a horrible act of hate has occurred to give one of the most powerful speeches I have ever heard. I understand he wrote it himself and the heart and soul that pored out in that church when he broke into song was beyond touching and inspiring. Can we finally open our hearts and be like the people of Charleston who responded with love and faith and forgiveness to a hateful and deplorable act? What role models the survivors and congregation of the AME Church who continue to respond with love and tolerance in the midst of unspeakable grief are for us if we will but watch and listen and learn.
This day makes up for all those in which I have to witness the worst in the human condition in our own country over and over again when I see a constant stream of unkind, unloving, and unforgiving behaviors. I call on myself and all my readers to simply embrace and be love. Many years ago a wonderful woman named Jean gave me a bracelet that reads: "Be the Change You Wish to See in the World.  Ghandi's words give me a sense of purpose everyday as I look down at the words on that bracelet. Each day I have as my intention to make the planet a better place through my thoughts, my words, and my deeds. There are days that it seems a bit harder than others to honor that intention, but I promise you that after the events of these past several weeks and after listening to every word President Obama shared this afternoon, I am committed to being that person I intend to be and to enter into all my encounters and challenges with love, kindness, and respect.
We all have an opportunity to make a difference. Let's not let the joy and meaning of these blessed moments die. We have done many great things in this country-let's keep doing it in our own backyards, in our workplace, in our organizations, in our relationships.
Namaste!