Americans have chosen ‘hope over fear’: Obama
I have often been quoted as saying that hope is not a strategy. It would seem that I was wrong.
Barack Obama is proving to everyone that hope can indeed move mountains. He has captured people’s imagination all over the world with his message of hope. “YES WE CAN”. Hope can conquer prejudice. Hope can make people stand up an fight for what is right. Hope can lift a black man, the son of immigrants, to the highest post in America and arguably the world. How wonderful is that!
So for you, whatever your quest is, whatever your dream your really truly can do it. To quote from Barack’s speech today “All are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”
But hope alone is not enough. And Barack can’t do it alone. He asked for everyone’s help because he understands that, probably better than any president in recent memory. So before the emotion and hope leaves you, write down what you are going to do and start doing it. There are millions of people that need your help, thousands of organizations you can join and communities of people that will help you.
To quote from Obama’s speech again “it has been the risk takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.”
So speaking personally, I have chosen to help those that create things so that my own efforts get amplified by those I can assist. That includes entrepreneurs and business people that have big dreams whether they are Canadian, American, Peruvian, African, Dominican … it doesn’t matter. If they are willing to work hard, take risks and help those around them I will help.
At MyQuest.tv, we aspire to provide a place where people can share their dreams and quests and where the tools and community will get assembled so that each and every one of you can reach your goals. Until that is fully assembled, let us use this blog as a place to start our community.
So … what are YOU going to do to assist Obama and your fellow people? What actions are you going to take and what kind of help will you need? Share your thoughts and join this community so we can all help each other.
Cheers,
Allan Isfan
twitter: @myquesttv
PS. check out this blog for some organizations you may want to explore
4 Comments
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“So speaking personally, I have chosen to help those that create things so that my own efforts get amplified by those I can assist.”
Allan, I love that!! From knowing you as a person I know this to be true!
“So . . . what are you going to do . . ?”
Good question; and I know it’s a good question because I don’t have a quick answer.
Over the years I have personally tried a number of approaches; from working directly for big international aid agencies, to providing encouragement and resources to individuals. (I was glad when you introduced me to Kiva which feels like doing both)
There’s a lot to be said for doing the thing that’s in front of your nose, and Oxfam just asked me to write a letter to my MP; perhaps I’ll do that first. The important thing is often to take a step along the road, rather than waiting for the ‘perfect’ opportunity.
Wonder what Obama’s first step will be? I don’t believe hope is his strategy; Hope is his high-octane fuel for the change-engine. Now he has to steer.
Wendy
If you boil down much of the current economic crisis to it’s root cause, IMHO, greed is the source. Businesses like Enron and many leading financial institutions in the US based their business models on unethical and outright predatory practices founded in greed and corruption.
What if the opposite were true and businesses were founded on the principle of behaving ethically, doing the right things and creating abundance?
Where would society be in five or ten year’s time?
Perhaps there would be more Google’s in the world.
“So . . . what are you going to do . . ?”
I like Steven Covey’s “Principled Centred Leadership” and thought if you coupled that with Piero Ferrucci’s “The Power of Kindness” you would have an ethical, principled organization that acted in the best interests of all stakeholders. My passion, purpose and personal petrie dish is to take these concepts apply them to my business whose purpose is to help facilitate the formation, growth and incubation of kind and ethical organizations.
@keithburtis thank you for the note. your assistance when I have problems or questions is also going to get amplified
@askwendy I’m so glad you found Kiva to be worthwhile. Agreed that looking at stuff that is under your nose is a great way to go. No shortage of great organizations and people that need help. The trick is to find those that have the most effect.
Ian: I’ll second the “What if the opposite were true and businesses were founded on the principle of behaving ethically, doing the right things and creating abundance?” It is even better if he purpose of the business was to do the right things …. like you are doing with Codefcatory.
Allan Isfan