I choose hope
The transition has occurred.
2008 has become 2009.
Presidential power transitioned to Barack Obama. We have another stimulus debate. Yet, the
negative investment returns continue. In
my work, I must stay tuned to what is being said, moment by moment, something I
recommend that you do not do.
Isn’t that a reason you hired me?
As I write on this last day of January, it is hard not to be
pessimistic about the U.S.
and world-wide economies, and the investment losses that have continued from
2008.
Yet, I cannot be pessimistic. I stand strong, vigilantly and
patiently. My new mantra is drawn from
our new President’s inaugural speech, “We must choose hope over fear.”
It is not productive to blame large corporations, CEOs,
government officials, new homeowners, landlords, mortgage lenders, or investors
willing to provide money for innovative, albeit flawed ideas. These thoughts grow out of anger and feeling victimized. Rather, it is time to look within ourselves.
President Obama’s words (that I paraphrase here) reminded me
of the greatest lesson that I learned as a military dependent. “(The) spirit that must inhabit us all, at
this moment that will define a generation, is that of service; a willingness to
find meaning in something greater than ourselves.”
What carries me into each new day is remembering what I can
control; and this was inspired by the same speech: “What is required is a new era of
responsibility: recognition that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and
the world, duties that we seize gladly.
There is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our
character, than giving our all to a difficult task.”
When you rise up, after you have again been reminded of the
bleak outlook around you, what will you stand for? What task will you embrace?
I beseech you to take the first step with this mantra in
mind…“I choose hope!”