Jan 18 2009
An Invitation From Michelle Obama
“We interrupt this program for an important announcement!”
Today’s post was going to be the final post in my series on leadership, with a podcast healing meditation for healing the inner leader. Instead, I want to give you an example of how you can apply your leadership skills this year. Later this week, I’ll post the healing meditation. In the meantime, enjoy the inauguration and the beginning of a new era!
In a recent Journey Work session, I intuitively kept getting the message that we all need to align to the actions of the Obamas this year. This doesn’t mean politically, it means getting in-step with their plan for renewing our country, in whatever way you feel inspired. I didn’t come to this message from a logical mind place. I drew Alchemy Stones with the intent for a message from the guides about what to focus on during the Journey Work session. The three stone were about taking action with the new energies that are available now, joining groups that have a passionate cause, and being receptive to change. My mind then made an intuitive leap that this is exactly what the Obamas are planning to do beginning January 20th.
The challenge for us is that it seems that everyday there are more disaster stories (another business laying off thousands of workers, deepening recession). And I think there will be even more as the depths of our spiritual bankruptcy comes to the surface in the coming months (lack of integrity, loss of civil rights, personal gain at all levels of our government, horrific acts done by American troupes). Feelings of overwhelm and “how can one person made a difference” are up in our faces at this time.
In the Journey Work session I told a story of when we were kids around the ages of 7 or 8. We loved to play a game called “Thumbs.” As 12 or 14 little kids sat around a huge and heavy picnic table eating lunch, someone would cry “Thumbs!” We would all put down our sandwiches, place our tiny thumbs under the edge of the table and lift. Magically and miraculously the table would lift. It never felt heavy. It took no effort. We just all had to lift together with our small effort.
Today I opened an email sent by a friend. It was an invitation from Michelle Obama about tomorrow, and celebrating Martin Luther King’s Day. It’s a call for “Thumbs!” I reprint that invitation here:
One week from today, on January 19th, Barack and I will join thousands of people all across the country for an extraordinary day of service.
I recorded a short video to tell you more about this important effort. Please take a minute to watch it and sign up to host or attend a service event near you.
Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are committing to renew America together, one community at a time.
Whatever service activity you organize or take part in — cleaning up a park, giving blood, volunteering at a homeless shelter, or mentoring an at-risk youth — you can help start this important journey. But this is about more than just a single day of service, it’s the beginning of an ongoing commitment to your community.
Monday, January 19th, is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Dr. King taught us to live a life of service, and he led by example. He once said:
“If you want to be important — wonderful. If you want to be recognized — wonderful. If you want to be great — wonderful. But, recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That’s a new definition of greatness.”
Barack and I will be volunteering in Washington, D.C., our new home. I hope you’ll join us by taking part in this national call to service in your community:
http://www.USAservice.org/calltoservice
It will take ordinary citizens working together with a common purpose to get this country back on track. This national day of service is an important first step in our continuing commitment.
Now is the time to remind all Americans what ordinary people can accomplish when we stand together.
Thank you,
Michelle
(Note: If you are reading this via an email subscription, you’ll have to visit the blog on the website to see the video.)
(Additional Note: My techie side couldn’t figure out how to load the video. Click on the link below the photo to hear the message.)
Invitation from Michelle Obama
Did I mention that the game of “Thumbs” besides being easy, magical and miraculous was also fun? Perhaps rebuilding America can also be all of those, if each of us just adds our small effort.
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