It Is Time

As I'm sitting here tonight watching the Inauguration opening ceremony with speeches and songs from some of our most admired and loved entertainers praising America, praising Americans, and watching the thousands of Americans fill the National Mall in front of the Lincoln Memorial I'm filled with pride in my country. Everyone was singing along to classics from John Mellencamp to James Taylor to Stevie Wonder to "The Boss" and Garth Brooks singing "Bye, Bye Miss American Pie" and so many great American classic songs - songs we all know the words to.

Today I took all 3 of the dogs for a walk and then I just took Maggie and grabbed Kali (the horse) and took them on a walk. We just enjoyed silence and nature and breathed in the fresh air. When we got back I allowed Kali to graze in the yard and watched as Maggie joyfully without inhibition scooted all over the yard with a huge smile on her face. I laughed outloud my heart swelling with love and she was in a complete sense of joy. It was beautiful. What dogs teach us is to live in the moment and to love unconditionally, and Maggie did not disappoint today.

It's easy to get wrapped up in the challenges of life, this I know. But let's grab ahold of life and push forward with joy in our hearts, and be grateful for being on this Earth. Let's change our way of thought. Does it feel light to burden our hearts? ["No" would be my response. What's yours?] Or instead should we embrace ourselves, forgive ourselves for past mistakes/debts/misdirections? The past is the past and there is always a choice for now, there is always a choice for the future.

What's true is this: It Is Time. It is time to reunite and move forward filled with pride of our country, pride for ourselves, pride for our loved ones. It's time to start loving unconditionally and living the moment. If we aren't then why are we Here?

Whether or not you voted for or approve of Mr. Obama's Presidency the fact is he has lit a fire in so, so many people that make up this country. He has brought country-men together: black, white, young, old, rich, poor. He has united a country that seemed to have turned darker and lost hope in recent days.

We are a free country. We are diverse. We are Unique. We are United. We are Strong. We are Americans.

But it's not just Mr. Obama alone, of course. The World is shifting. We that inhabit this Earth are shifting and changing. Do you feel movement inside of you? Do you feel the desire, the need to expand and grow and feel and experience. Is there a yearning inside of you almost screaming, "I need change!! I know there's more to Life!! I feel the need to be more connected to the Earth and Nature!!"

The World is changing and it'll be quite a ride if we so choose to jump on. 2009 will be a year to remember. Let's make a year that when 2010 rolls around we say, "Wow! That was great! How could it possibly get better than that?!"

A final thought:

Be who you are nothing more nothing less
and let the beauty that you love be….. the very best
Sing praises to the highest with your feet on the ground
And reach for your brother with the words that you sound
and Don't let mistakes be so monumental,
and Don't let your love be so confidential,
and Don’t let your mind be so darn judgmental
And please let heart be more influential
Be thankful for all the Spirit provides
And be thankful for all that you can see without eyes

(from Michael Franti's song "Hey Now Now")

**click on image and be redirected to view entire image.