yes we can. . .and did

This was going to be a post about so many other things, but as I sat to write my to-do list in my journal, I got to thinking about politics, hope and progress. . .

{journal excerpt}

November 5, 2008

It's been a great day despite the many emotions experienced. Obama won the election last night which is both monumental for America and historically significant. We're either greatly progressing as a people or this is the beginning of the end. I of course, voted for Obama so my cynicism isn't with him. I just find myself wondering if it's too good to be true. I guess the answer to this question depends on what I fundamentally believe in. . .and now that I think about it, perhaps a change of attitude is in order.

I've been stuck in the pessimistic thinking that we're all going to destroy each other and ourselves eventually. I can only assume this is a concept that was engrained in me via religion. You know, the "last days", earth will be destroyed kind of thing. But, inside of that thinking (or at least who I've let myself become inside of it), why even try to better ourselves, or the earth, or each other? Why create beautiful things? Why give and love and exchange thoughts and ideas or earn money or bail out economies to begin with? Perhaps the human race will continue to grow and progress the way we always have. Perhaps there is hope and we all get to contribute to it. Perhaps there is no such thing as "too good to be true." And maybe America can even have a leader we love. It wouldn't be the first time -- and maybe it won't be the last time.

I don't know much, but I think that if we always try to do what moves us, then it doesn't really matter what happens in "the end." And too good to be true or not, hearing a country I had lost hope in, chant "Yes We Can," moves me.

Something else moves me. The fact that 68% of Salt Lake County voters see the beauty and value of animals enough to vote for the bond to save the aviary. The Burrowing Owls and I thank you : )