Where were you when President Barack Obama won the 2008 Presidential election? I was a sophomore at Spelman College, a Historically Black College for women in Atlanta, Georgia. Sitting on my bed in Laura Spelman dormitory and closely monitoring the results, I was completely overcome with emotion when the final poll numbers were tallied. Barack Hussein Obama would be the next President of the United States. Number 44–the first African American to hold the highest office, not once, but four years later, he did it again and was appointed for two terms. In his time in the oval office, President Obama and his family have been such beautiful role models who have taught me four very important things about this country and myself…
- The time is always right to do what is right. In moments of disempowerment, injustice, discrimination, and bullying, take a stand and be vigilant. Understand that you may be standing alone. That’s okay. Be courageous. That’s how leaders are born. Positive change has to start somewhere. Let it start with you!
- Dust your shoulders off. Life is like a rollercoaster ride. You will undoubtedly have highs, lows, and bumpy rides in between. You will taste both sweet success and bitter failure. You will be hit with obstacles, you will fall down, and you will be pushed down. People will talk about you behind your back (and to your face) and do everything to stand in the way of your success. Dust yourself off and keep moving.
- Always go high. Others will try to bring you down to their level. Don’t let them. When they go low, go high. I know it’s hard when you’re tested, but take the high road and be the bigger person because hurt people hurt people.
- Remain hopeful. “Hope is not blind optimism. It’s not ignoring the enormity of the task ahead or the roadblocks that stand in our path. It’s not sitting on the sidelines or shirking from a fight. Hope is that thing inside us that insists, despite all evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us if we have the courage to reach for it, and to work for it, and to fight for it. Hope is the belief that destiny will not be written for us, but by us, by the men and women who are not content to settle for the world as it is, who have the courage to remake the world as it should be.”– President Obama
Thank you just doesn’t seem to be enough, Mr. President. It feels so inadequate, and yet it is all my little heart can muster. Today’s Friday Findings are all things Obama so please enjoy and remember that regardless of what happens during this next administration, we must “show up, dive in, and stay at it”- President Barack Obama.
One. President Obama’s Thank You Letter.
Two. Bush Twins Pen Touching Letter to Obama Sisters.
Three. Ellen’s Hilarious and Thoughtful Goodbye Tribute.
Kermit Says... 
