What do we do now?

Something happened today but I’m not exactly sure what it was. True, we swore Barack H. Obama into office as the 44th President of the United States of America. I watched it at work with my colleagues. The swearing-in, which took only a couple minutes, brought most of us out of our seats to watch intently – standing in solidarity, albeit distantly, with the millions on the mall. After President Obama solemnly swore, many of us went back to our laptops and watched peripherally as if at home on the couch sitting next to our significant others. I listened closely to President Obama’s words.

For the first time, I felt involved in a presidential election. I felt as though my vote counted. When politics came up in discussion at work, my peers often sought me out (if I didn’t initiate it in the first place). I also became known as Obama’s best friend among my family. My grandmother believed that Obama and I were best friends. (She became a citizen this year and voted for Obama). At one point, she asked if Obama visited me when his grandmother passed away. As entertaining, if not somewhat worrisome, as this was, I know my belief in Obama led to it. From the very beginning, I had a gut feeling about Obama and talked about it. He related to me differently than any other candidate ever did.

With a new president that I helped elect, tonight, I find myself asking, “What do we do now?” I want to serve. I want to help. I want to take a more active role in our government. Hell, I want to become President. How? Where? How much? For what cause? I am left a bit overzealous and overwhelmed – not necessarily an ideal combination.

I was reading through a few blogs and it came to me. First, join the conversation. So, I picked up the keyboard. I want this next chapter in our country and my life to be different. I want this to be real. Helpful. Inspirational. Touching.

Next, listen to the conversation. Listen closely and intently to the guiding words of others. My family. My friends. The needs of those less fortunate than I and the wisdom of those with more experience. Sure, I’m a people pleaser, but I need this to be different. I need this to be sincere. Rewarding. Constructive.

I want and need all of this to not be limited to a blog.

I submit this blog as the beginning of the evolution of my identity. I am part of a culture that is increasingly absorbing media of all sorts into its collective identity, interactions and communications. There is no virtual and reality based version of me – but simply me. This is not an online platform for offline ideas. I am the platform and from me, I hope great things will spring.

Thanks for coming to my newly formed blog. I hope you enjoy the rest of my postings. (They all won’t be as heavy as this one – I promise.)