I have tried to express this before but now it strikes me again that I should make another attempt. I have lived in other countries for short periods of times, have had the opportunity to live amongst internationals here in the US and value tremendously the insights and relationships gleaned from those times. My head and heart were already tuned to people outside of our national boundaries. However, since President Obama has been in office the personal level of empathy and identification I feel for distant lands and people some of whom I have had a hard time understanding in the past or that have been obscure to me, has risen beyond anything I could have anticipated. His trips to other countries for visits or conferences and the coverage of them has been a window for me to reach through and grasp the value beauty and value of “brothers and sisters” I did not know I had in those places. President Obama’s ability to translate the human experience no matter where it is being lived, to explain the aspirations, the struggles of all he encounters has had a stunning effect on my sensibilities. Also the deep understanding he has for what is valuable about our way of life and form of government while respecting and working with other cultures and national identities takes my breath away. Just writing this leaves me misty eyed with gratitude and amazement.
Thank you, cuphalffull- you have expressed beautifully just what I find so remarkable about our President. I often read his speeches again and again – from the unforgettable speech in Berlin when he was still candidate Obama right to his latest speeches in South America. There is a consistent message in all of them speaking to “our common humanity”. It gives me hope and comfort, even when the news of the day are troubling.
Cuphalfful, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I think what you’ve written about is the value of living and travelling extensively overseas. One realizes the common humanity that exists amongst all people, and that people essentially have the same desires in life: to live well, be happy and healthy, and to contribute something important to the world with their life. The President gets this, and even more importantly, he’s able to transfer this empathy to others, as you’ve said. We’re all members of the human race, after all – that’s the common element.
I know what you mean, before President Obama I knew nothing about countries outside of America or even different parts of America. He’s truly help me understand that “People are People” and most just want what is best for them, their family and children…..
Thank you for your eloquent post, cuphalffull. The depth of President Obama’s compassion and understanding of other people and other cultures is very moving and very inspirational and it is palpable. I imagine he is surrounded by the spirit of his mother in every way. Thank goodness this harmony he possesses resonates with so many people and that he is working for the greater good.
Beautiful video, and a heartfelt ‘thank you’ Cuphalffull for saying so eloquently what so many of us have experienced under the leadership of this President. My own empathy level has increased along with my geography knowledge. IMO this President is a really terrific human being and role model.
This is beautiful. Thank you cuphalfful, meta and everyone. It is so very pleasing to read your words. God has given us an opportunity in our lifetime to experience a profound gift that is our President. A man whose actions and words speaks to our hearts and souls. He is an extraordinary man who has been shaped by his experiences in life that few will ever share. By his actions as a rolemodel, he has repeatedly expressed, regardless of culture, race and creed that We are all One. The Human Race.
cuphalffull….such an elegant expression of what I also am becoming increasingly aware of, as I witness our President at work.
There is a saying, that I particularily love, it says, “Weave in faith and God will find the thread.” After considering your observations cuphalffull, I see an analogy to the work President Obama has been doing internationally, to that of a master weaver. Interweaving people from all cultures and geographical regions, raising our awareness and connecting us through shared struggles and goals. He is weaving a universal fabric of shared humanity, opportunity and peaceful aspirations. As it should be for the only race, the human race. He is IMO, a master craftsman.
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
A beautiful note.
Wow. This is powerful. It brought tears to my eyes!
I have tried to express this before but now it strikes me again that I should make another attempt. I have lived in other countries for short periods of times, have had the opportunity to live amongst internationals here in the US and value tremendously the insights and relationships gleaned from those times. My head and heart were already tuned to people outside of our national boundaries. However, since President Obama has been in office the personal level of empathy and identification I feel for distant lands and people some of whom I have had a hard time understanding in the past or that have been obscure to me, has risen beyond anything I could have anticipated. His trips to other countries for visits or conferences and the coverage of them has been a window for me to reach through and grasp the value beauty and value of “brothers and sisters” I did not know I had in those places. President Obama’s ability to translate the human experience no matter where it is being lived, to explain the aspirations, the struggles of all he encounters has had a stunning effect on my sensibilities. Also the deep understanding he has for what is valuable about our way of life and form of government while respecting and working with other cultures and national identities takes my breath away. Just writing this leaves me misty eyed with gratitude and amazement.
Thank you, cuphalffull- you have expressed beautifully just what I find so remarkable about our President. I often read his speeches again and again – from the unforgettable speech in Berlin when he was still candidate Obama right to his latest speeches in South America. There is a consistent message in all of them speaking to “our common humanity”. It gives me hope and comfort, even when the news of the day are troubling.
Cuphalfful, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I think what you’ve written about is the value of living and travelling extensively overseas. One realizes the common humanity that exists amongst all people, and that people essentially have the same desires in life: to live well, be happy and healthy, and to contribute something important to the world with their life. The President gets this, and even more importantly, he’s able to transfer this empathy to others, as you’ve said. We’re all members of the human race, after all – that’s the common element.
I know what you mean, before President Obama I knew nothing about countries outside of America or even different parts of America. He’s truly help me understand that “People are People” and most just want what is best for them, their family and children…..
Thank you for your eloquent post, cuphalffull. The depth of President Obama’s compassion and understanding of other people and other cultures is very moving and very inspirational and it is palpable. I imagine he is surrounded by the spirit of his mother in every way. Thank goodness this harmony he possesses resonates with so many people and that he is working for the greater good.
Beautifully said.
Beautifully said. Thank you for saying so eloquently what so many of us feel.
Really beautifully done. Truly gracious and heartfelt note. Thank you for sharing that, meta and Chip.
Beautiful video, and a heartfelt ‘thank you’ Cuphalffull for saying so eloquently what so many of us have experienced under the leadership of this President. My own empathy level has increased along with my geography knowledge. IMO this President is a really terrific human being and role model.
This is beautiful. Thank you cuphalfful, meta and everyone. It is so very pleasing to read your words. God has given us an opportunity in our lifetime to experience a profound gift that is our President. A man whose actions and words speaks to our hearts and souls. He is an extraordinary man who has been shaped by his experiences in life that few will ever share. By his actions as a rolemodel, he has repeatedly expressed, regardless of culture, race and creed that We are all One. The Human Race.
cuphalffull….such an elegant expression of what I also am becoming increasingly aware of, as I witness our President at work.
There is a saying, that I particularily love, it says, “Weave in faith and God will find the thread.” After considering your observations cuphalffull, I see an analogy to the work President Obama has been doing internationally, to that of a master weaver. Interweaving people from all cultures and geographical regions, raising our awareness and connecting us through shared struggles and goals. He is weaving a universal fabric of shared humanity, opportunity and peaceful aspirations. As it should be for the only race, the human race. He is IMO, a master craftsman.