A different man

Barack Obama IS a different man. Watching his inauguration yesterday was proof enough. Its not about him. Its about the feelings he has stirred in people, the emotions he has caused even the most emotionless to have, the tears of not sadness but the possibility of the ease of sadness, the joy and celebration not only for the end of a ruthless Bush regime but for the beginning of the chance to dream.

 

Obama as an individual is just an ordinary man, with an extraordinary gift, but more than anything he is sincere and the sincerity shines through him and what he says and it shines through the faces of his humble family.

 

I have no idea if he can fulfill all the hopes and possibilities that he has created in the world today, but I am sure he will try his best, and that’s good enough in a world in which leaders dont even try to lead. Obama is not a hero, but he is as close to a great leader simply for what he has achieved so far. For when it comes to his campaign and his victory, even on inauguration day Obama has achieved more than any other modern day leader has achieved and he has proven that one man CAN make a difference.

Whatever he may or may not do, one thing is certain, he will try and bring out the best in people, for him peace will come before war and family before fortune. He has come with a belief that he can make a difference and this belief will be enough to shine through his actions. He may not change the world, nor heal it, nor end all suffering, but he has already brought so much hope to  hopeless hearts and smiles on faces weighed down by grief and caused people busy with their lives to stop and listen and think beyond themselves.

 

This is what our generation has been waiting for, this is the type of leader we all dream of following, but his actions will not be fulfilled untill we the people act ourselves.

 

The American people have proven their cause, now its time for the rest of us around the world to hope for something bigger and better, to hope that for us too ….one day…change will come…one person at a time…

Freedom is not free

I realize it last week, when I checked out the prices of the so-called “cheapest” cars in Sri Lanka.  I realized that this Sunday, while talking to my lawyer. I realized it yesterday, while forgetting to call home and inform my family that I was getting late. I realize it today, as I recuperate from  serious yet kind glances from my collegues.  So what does it take?  To be a free woman? We have so many strings attached, no matter how far we may run or how invisible we may make ourselves. There is always someone concerned, someone worried,  someone loving, someone waiting for you to come home, for you to come online, for you to text or call.

I know no man is an island, but its nice if part of you was an Island and part of you were landlocked. I am partially so, yet, I know, freedom for me means being dependant on noone but God, for though him comes loves, joy, food, shelter, sadness, friends, family and life itself. To Him I owe my whole dependance. For independance is His to give.