A Little Bit

I am not much in a mood for poetry this morning. That’s really a shame because I’m going to be behind with the prompts that I respond to but I’m in a place of contemplation regarding the State of the Union address from our President. Many of you know that I’m a Baha’i, so I will not be talking about partisan politics at all. They are divisive and set an atmosphere where extremes easily raise up and often flourish. Besides this, this is a time for uniting not separating. That’s not what I desire to express either. So please do not feel obligated to like, comment or even read. I just need to share.

 

I am 57 years old. I have seen this country, nay this world go through terrible things. As it has been said, perhaps overstated, “man’s inhumanity to man”. I have seen dogs, cops, and fire hoses attacking real life human beings, innocent or not, for no reason but the color of their skin. I have seen many strong, African American leaders shot down. People who inspired all mankind to dream of a day when there would be love as a primary motivation for our country’s existence. They were deliberately taken down! I have seen 2 presidents shot, one fatally because their ideas were not agreed with. I have seen a president’s dishonesty, nay criminality exposed to the whole world. This all before I reached my 20’s. It inspired in me from a very early age, a firm, strong belief in the basic human need to be connected and united with our fellows, regardless of differences. Which finally brings me to the essence of my point.

 

For me to hear the President of the United States of America talk about unconditional love being the best plan for our country was the most healing and profound experience I’ve ever had in relation to my country. For the first time in my life, and I’m not exaggerating, I felt proud to be a United States Citizen. For the first time, I was represented by my leaders. My heart was being spoken by the heart of the person who has power! He called us higher. He called us to dignity. He called us to the desire of my old heart, UNITY. In the Baha’i writings, Baha’u’llah says when referring to all of us, “Noble have I created thee…”. In my lifetime, those who represented me have not often acted with nobility and only the animalistic get noticed. This gave me such a strong sense of being heard; a fulfillment in terms of my heritage. I must say I wept, which for me is not all that unusual.

 

Truthfully, I am concerned for our country but that is in God’s capable hands. I will continue to vote based on the character of the person as difficult as that sometimes is and whoever gets into that office, I may not agree with them but I will not undermine. I have had almost 8 years of turning and hearing my leader say things I can get behind and if that does not continue, I will mourn deeply, but I’ll keep working in my small way to bring about the unity of humanity according to the mandates of my Faith. God bless you, Barack Obama and your family. My deep and very personal gratitude and profound respect will always be with you. As will my love.

❤ ❤ ❤