Having just written a book about how to increase your energy from a
physicians' point of view, I was fascinated last night when, after the
final presidential debate, Charlie Rose had a group of commentators
that included David Brooks and Doris Kearns Goodwin on his show
talking about the source of energy that candidates draw on to conduct
such impossibly grueling campaigns. During the past two weeks alone
the candidates have made dozens of public appearances in multiple
states, including having two intense televised debates, and now they
are entering the sprint to the finish.
In trying to understand where these gentlemen get their
energy, there was no talk of Power Bars or Red Bull or going to the
gym. The only plausible explanation for their super-human energy even
under extreme stress was said to be in the realm of the mind-body
connection, and I heartily agree. More than any other factor, the
energetic accomplishments of the candidates arise from passion for
their enterprise and connectedness to others.
To be sure, the candidates have different motivations.
John McCain, according to Mr. Brooks, is powered by a deep need to be
honorable and by outrage at what he sees as injustices. Barack Obama,
in Ms. Goodwin's view, draws energy from his own dual beliefs that he
can change history and has the opportunity to have a great presidency.
The common thread is that both candidates' internal belief systems
give rise to driving passion in their lives.
Many people who support these candidates derive a
second-hand passion from the campaigns. The resulting rise of interest
in politics, and the concurrent energy going into the new American
political landscape has the potential to have an overall positive
effect on the nation. It's pretty clear from watching both candidates
that they are electrified by the connection with humanity that
characterizes life on the Presidential campaign trail. The result of
combining their tremendous personal energy with the energy of their
electrified political bases is an energized nation -- all of us can feel
the vitality.
We have an extraordinary energetic opportunity here to do
something positive for our country. Hopefully, once the election has
come and gone, our politicians can begin to work together, on both
sides of the aisle, to transform this new national obsession with
creating a better world through a new President into a productive
national energy exchange. In less than a month there will be a need
for resolution and union. We can fill the spaces that separate us with
positive energy. We can see the connection -- rather than the division -- in
the fact that we are all seeking a better life, and we can all reap
the benefits of this shared energetic desire for change.