Unleash Your Inner Obama

This was originally published on November 8th, 2008.

President-elect Barack Obama has captured the world's imagination. He has helped us believe that -- as he put it in his victory speech -- "all things are possible" and that we can put our hands "on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day."

Now, let's not wait for one man to save the world. Let's use the exuberant energy of his triumph to propel each of us forward. Every American can find his or her own way to make a difference. And one way to do it is through our work.

We can become New Radicals -- that is, find a way to leverage the skills we've acquired in our careers and put them to work on the world's greatest challenges. Already, thousands of people like us are doing precisely that (for more about the New Radicals, please see archived articles).

As a human being, Obama also embodies much of what mere mortals like us aspire to. Watching his campaign, I marveled at his ability to raise the tone of the discourse, to encourage people to remember that we exist not for ourselves exclusively but also for one another, and that each of us can choose how we interact with the world.

As I interviewed New Radical pioneers for my book, I was really struck by how they did precisely this. In fact, this is what makes these "radicals" "new". They believe in the pull of vision. They recognize the power of dialogue. They see the possibilities inherent in working together toward change. In fact, I began to think of "positive, constructive, hopeful" as the New Radicals credo.

And this isn't just a neat phrase, but a tool we can actually use -- a reference point for all of our choices and actions. "Try this experiment," I suggest to my clients. "The next time you need to make a decision, or when you're in a meeting and it's your turn to speak, run it through the 'positive, constructive, hopeful' filter first. I guarantee that something will shift. And you'll begin to see that we change ourselves and influence others even in the simplest ways. Forget the world stage: right in the middle of daily life, you can make a difference."

This is a great moment in America's history. My guess is that the remarkable man at the center of it all will soon echo JFK's immortal phrase, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." This is our chance to be one step ahead of him. To realize that, in adoring him, we are actually signaling a desire to reconnect with the deepest part of ourselves and to find a way to make a difference. And that is within reach of all.

Please share how you've been channeling your inner Obama by commenting below. Or email me directly at [e-mail].

Comments

[cayuse]

Everyone knows that he is a breath of fresh air that has stagnated since republicans took hold of congress and Bush stole the election.

But give me a break. It is are our positive inner selves that elected this man. He did not memorize us. He did not dupe us with hypnosis.

He simply spoke to the needs better than the rest, except for Kucinuch or Paul. That is why I voted for him. Our negatism of the last crooked administration got us here too.

His walk will prove his talk, I hope. I am not gaga or lala here.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Julia, You are a visionary with great energy. As I have your book, We Are The NEW RADICALS I can appreciate your message. I recommend people get it.

We need a fresh new perspective so we can move out of the dark ages we unconsciously have been stuck in for the past 8 years.

You are an inspiration. *OmBama*

Happy 2009,

Ed

[kellygrrrl]

dare I say that what I witnessed this past summer and fall was more than enough to convince me that WE have arisen from our CollectiveComa and are most definitely headed out of the Dark Ages. I met so many amazing people from every race, religion, age and socioeconomic level -- all working toward the same goal -- giving more time and energy and money than they ever imagined.

the era of anti-intel­lectualism in America is over. Rejoice!

[SeanGardner]

preach it girl!

[mergina]

NO WAY. Then I would have to start pandering to bigots, racists and the like for my own personal gain, and in the process, insult and alienate millions who helped get me to the positiion I am in today, uh that would be the GLT community and most loving humans who voted for me.

[SeanGardner]

But this is not just about the GLBT community. This about everyone. America. And Obama has to represent us all: the lesbian small business owner in San Francisco, and the gun-toting survivalist with a confederate flag decal on the back of his pickup truck. Why don't you stay on topic?

Julia Moulden has constructed a beautiful, lyrical blogpost about how each of us can tap into the energy, vision, and emotion that made Obama's campaign so riveting. That what her blogpost is about. Not about attacking him over a brilliantly pragmatic decision he made regarding certain a minister giving the benediction at his inaugural address.

When you find the time, I would love to know what your views are regarding the content of the blogpost above...if you don't mind.

Oh, and Happy New Year to you.

[generationyes]

Go Sean! Well said, well thought out, and well written.