What an Incredible speech! Barack Obama said millions stood up with courage and clear purpose and we somehow managed to change the world. There is the promise to end this war in 16 months. He talks of Jefferson, Jackson, Roosevelt and Kennedy and how they led by principles, not by calculation, but by conviction. We the world are being summoned for a higher purpose. He talks of sending a message shore to shore to say “You matter to us. Our future is your future.”
I love that Barack Obama speaks of Martin Luther King and what he called “The fierce urgency of now.” America, our moment is now to Live In Courage each and every day and to support our President elect every step of the way. We have a bright new future. It will take time and it won’t be easy, but we are America. We are brave, strong and courageous. Be the light you came here to be. Shine your light far and wide. Barack Obama is shining for all to see.
I have always loved this quote. It talks of character, which I see in Barack Obama. Have a wonderful day and don’t forget to vote tomorrow. Barack Obama lost his grandmother today. One day before election.
Here at Living in Courage Online we send our heartfelt love and sympathy to the entire Obama family.
Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for they become your destiny.
The song contained one of Dave Stewart’s favorite passages from Dr. King, which was hauntingly delivered the night before he was assassinated. King says: “I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land!”
I quote Dave Stewart “People long for a connection— whether it is to music, to their country, or to a big idea. Regardless of what happens in November, Senator Obama has reminded millions of people that they have the power to connect to bigger ideas. He is, in essence, the embodiment of a new anthem for change. He has continued King’s narrative from what was once thought of as a dream to a reality. I find it especially relevant that Barack Obama will accept the Democratic Party Nomination for President 45 years to the day of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
When we were originally writing the song, Bono was crafting the words in a way that would make people think about the fact that ‘America’ as a concept was a truly great idea, based on the bedrock of equality. I find it more pertinent than ever to release it now; to the moment America finds itself in, daring to re-imagine itself and its place in the world.
When I set out to make a video for the new version of this song, I wanted to honor all of those millions of people, especially young people, who are, for the first time, feeling empowered to voice their beliefs. I wanted to capture how Obama’s message of change has echoed across the broad fabric of what is America. To do that, we’ve cast the film with an eclectic array of personalities, including Forest Whitaker, Jason Alexander, Whoopi Goldberg, Cyndi Lauper, Barry Manilow, Joan Baez, Macy Gray and Joss Stone. They appear alongside veterans, teachers and everyday citizens— all of whom have been touched by this simple idea of change. As an Englishman, I’m not an expert in all the intricate details of American politics. But as an artist, I understand how rare it is to inspire a connection to a bigger idea or purpose. This video isn’t so much an endorsement of Barack Obama as much as it is a celebration of all those who have picked up a sign, who have registered to vote and are working to make the world a better place. So as Senator Barack Obama ascends to the mountain top, let us not forget all of the others who for the past 40 years have sung anthems of change to make this moment possible.”
LYRICS
This is my American Prayer
This is my American Prayer
This is the time to finish what you started
And this is no time to dream
This is the room
We can turn off the dark tonight
Maybe then we might see
American Prayer
American Prayer
And this is the ground
That keeps our feet from getting wet
And this is the sky over our head
And what you see depends on where you stand
And how you jump will tell you where you’re gonna land
American Prayer
American Prayer
My oh my
Couldn’t get much higher
Lets not kick out the darkness
Make the light brighter
And these are the hands
What are we gonna build with them?
This is the church you can’t see
Give me your tired, your poor and huddled masses
You know they’re yearning to breathe free
This is my American Prayer
American Prayer
American Prayer
When you get to the top of the mountain
Will you tell me what you see
If you get to the top of the mountain
Remember me
LIST OF GUESTS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:
Dave Stewart
Forest Whitaker
Amy Keys
Macy Gray
Jason Alexander
Colbie Caillat
Whoopi Goldberg
Joss Stone
Buju Banton
Ann Marie Calhoun
Barry Manilow
Linda Perry
Cyndi Lauper
Sergio Mendes
Herbie Hancock
Mike Bradford
Margaret Cho
Cindy Gomez
Speech
Joan Baez
Daedelus
Pamela Anderson
Peter & Gordon
Sierra Swan
Nadirah X
Perez Hilton
A group of students were asked to list what they thought were
the present “Seven Wonders of the World.” Though there were
some disagreements, the following received the most votes:
1. Egypt’s Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter’s Basilica
7. China’s Great Wall
While gathering the votes, the teacher noticed that one
quiet student hadn’t turned in her paper yet. So she asked
the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl
replied, “Yes, a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind
because there were so many.”
The teacher said, “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we
can help.”
The girl hesitated, then read, “I think the ‘Seven Wonders
of the World ” are:
1. to see
2. to hear
3. to touch
4. to taste
5. to feel
6. to laugh
7. and to love.”
Author: Unknown
If you feel inclined, please share your 7 Wonders with us at Living in Courage. You could change someones day, bring a smile, or start a new line of thought. Come to think of it, anything could happen. Make it a fabulous day.
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