Hope Endures

image copyright washingtonpost.com

"I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting." - Barack Obama 

I was thrilled to tears to wake up in the early hours of the morning to hear that President Barack Obama had earned another term in office. I look forward to four more years under his steadfast leadership. His intelligence, diplomacy, compassion, and determination are inspiring to me. I love listening to him speak. I love his respect for the diversity of our country's people and our varied needs. I love that he looks at the big picture – to our nation's future – and pragmatically makes decisions that support and encourage success for everyone, building an environment that cultivates the understanding that we're all in this together. 

I am honored to have taken part in this historic election and to have been able to witness footage of the droves of others casting their votes as well, despite long lines, power outages, home destruction and makeshift poling places. It makes me proud to count myself among so many Americans passionate about our country and the issues that build its culture and its place in the world. 

I have hopes for continued forward momentum and now after a grueling election season, a government that is less partisan and divisive and rather one that can find common ground on the issues that the American people have spoken so clearly and passionately about during this election year. 

Below are some excerpts from President Obama's moving victory speech that particularly stood out to me:  
       

"Democracy in a nation of 300 million can be noisy and messy and complicated. We have our own opinions. Each of us has deeply held beliefs. And when we go through tough times, when we make big decisions as a country, it necessarily stirs passions, stirs up controversy.

That won’t change after tonight, and it shouldn’t. These arguments we have are a mark of our liberty. We can never forget that as we speak people in distant nations are risking their lives right now just for a chance to argue about the issues that matter, the chance to cast their ballots like we did today."

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"And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have learned from you, and you’ve made me a better president. And with your stories and your struggles, I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do and the future that lies ahead."

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"But that doesn’t mean your work is done. The role of citizens in our Democracy does not end with your vote. America’s never been about what can be done for us. It’s about what can be done by us together through the hard and frustrating, but necessary work of self-government. That’s the principle we were founded on.

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"This country has more wealth than any nation, but that’s not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military in history, but that’s not what makes us strong. Our university, our culture are all the envy of the world, but that’s not what keeps the world coming to our shores.

What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on earth.

The belief that our destiny is shared; that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations. The freedom which so many Americans have fought for and died for come with responsibilities as well as rights. And among those are love and charity and duty and patriotism. That’s what makes America great."