Change Has Come

All over our nation and across the world eager eyes watched as Barack Hussein Obama took the oath of office to become the 44th President of the United States of America on the steps of the Capitol building at noon today.

The transition from one president to the next in our country is a peaceful process that intrigues other nations in our world. There are no armies fighting to keep one person in control instead of another, there are no monarchy’s that remain in power simply through bloodlines. There is only the voice of the people. And the voice of the people was loud and clear on the National Mall during the inauguration ceremony.

Love him or hate him, President Obama will be in the oval office tomorrow morning and will begin making the changes that our country needs. His beautiful wife, Michelle, and two adorable daughters, Malia and Sasha, will be by his side, building him up while still keeping him grounded. No doubt, countless prayers will be whispered across this great land for the strength, wisdom, and leadership of our new commander in chief.

His inauguration speech was full of passion and hope and offered an insight into what the future holds for our country:

“Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America…

“To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it…

“Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage…

“We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you…

“Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”

Throughout his speech, President Obama reiterates this is the time for the change our country craves, but it is up to us, the citizens of this country, to bring about those changes. It is time for all of us to stand side-by-side and help get our nation back on its feet again. Regardless of who you may have voted for, this is the vision for our nation over the next four years. You can choose to join in the effort or complain from the sidelines. Whatever your choice, may God bless America.