A new day...

I wanted to share with you the video and transcript of Obama's recent speech at Cairo University. If you haven't already seen it, I would encourage you to take the time to do so. The transcript can be found on the following website:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/06/02/us/politics/200900604_OBAMA_CAIRO.html

It was a truly inspiring speech and exactly what the world needs at this moment: a challenge to live up not to someone else's standards but to our own morals, values and religious beliefs. He recognized something so critical that many world leaders before him have ignored:

"It's easier to start wars than to end them. It's easier to blame others than to look inward. It's easier to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is one rule that lies at the heart of every religion, that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us."

I know that many of you prescribe to different faiths and come from countries across the globe with different cultures, traditions and histories. I have been blessed to know many of you and to experience the richness of your diversity, your warmth and your compassion. While some work with refugees and displaced people, others are home-makers, students, bankers, lawyers, teachers, or doctors. Each of us has the power within us to create change.

As I listened to Obama a new hope arose in my heart... for a better tomorrow, a better mankind and a better world. My friends wrote to me, some happy, yet many remained pessimistic about whether he would translate his words into action. But a wise man once taught me that it's not the end that matters, it's the process. Peace is not an end goal. It's not something that we can achieve, but it's something that we have to live everyday. It's within us and it's among us. So let us not wait for Obama to make the words of his speech a reality, let us ask what we can do. Can we "turn the searchlight inward" as Gandhi once asked? And if so, how?

Barack Obama remains one man. He did say that "no single speech could eradicate mistrust." Yet, he exemplifies the fact that one man or woman, you and me can change the world by our actions, our thoughts and words. We must start with ourselves first, we must continue to build trust in our own families, our communities, our nation and our world. I urge you to rise to Obama's challenge. How can you make his vision a reality?