Earth House Hold

President Elect Barack Obama:

This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.

It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.

He knows that this nation isn't at its best when all its citizens are always looking out for number one. Human morality evolved from us needing to keep each other alive. We lived in communities that in very real ways were sustained by people helping each other out. Why do you think we evolved empathy? We need each other. We need to have the ability to put ourselves into each others shoes. This is just a basic tenet of human survival. In our modern world it may not seem like it, but we need each other. We must look out for each other. And it is this basic, but all important idea that he tapped into. I know it's not an easy thing for us to wrap our heads around. I know it is hard for me. I am a very solitary person. I don't like being around people that much, but I know I need them. I know that without community there is a no way to feed the soul, the mind and the body. I hope as Americans we can at the very least take his call to service seriously and look into our own lives and see where we can help our communities. It doesn't mean we have to give our life savings away or volunteer at soup kitchens every day (not that those are bad things!), but it does mean being more aware of what your neighbors are going through; being more aware of how you relate to others; being more aware of your choices, even the smallest of choices you make, and how they effect someone else. You don't have to like Mr. Obama. You don't have to believe in his policies, but I believe Senator McCain would agree with the above quote. In his speech last night he called for everyone to help and I think we can.