Tides of change

"This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one thats on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. Shes a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldnt vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that shes seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we cant, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can."

Past midnight, on the 5th of November, I was sitting up to listen to this speech. I cant tell you what was so special about this election, or this presidential campaign or why it was so different from the so many others that have happened so far. All I know- in my finite wisdom- is that this was different. This was people making their voices heard. This was telling everyone that each of us matter. This was showing to everyone that we are all in one. One in all.

This was the first time that so many young adults took it upon themselves to make a difference. This was the first time there were crowds at Times Square not for New Years but to hear who their new leader was going to be. Every city across the US, every downtown had excited people waiting with bated breath, waiting to hear that hope was just around the corner. That change is inevitable. That change was good, that we need to give change a chance. The world was watching to see who would lead this country thats so long been the beacon for hope, equality and liberty in the true sense of the term.

In such grim times of hopelessness and despair, fear and frustration...we needed this sunshine of promise.

This was to tell the future that we can make a difference, only when its one voice. Many voices only leads to noise. If there's anyone out there who has dared to dream, this dawn only goes to show that it can and will come true- with due perseverance and persistence. You can if you think you can...

Read this?

You Can If You Think You Can!

If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you like to win, but you think you can't,
It is almost certain you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you're lost,
For out in the world we find,
Success begins with a fellow's will.
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are,
You've got to think high to rise,
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.

Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But soon or late the man who wins,
Is the man who thinks he can.

~ C. W. Longenecker ~