Our Moment and Time

The significance of today's events are not lost on me. The fact that it's all happening the day after a national holiday honoring one of the most significant Civil Rights leaders is also not lost on me. (Of course, even if it was, the pundits and newscasters would still keep reminding me every five minutes.)

And while I am feeling just as much emotion and excitement as everyone else, I can't help but think of what it'll be like a year from now...

The dust will have settled. The novelty of this moment will have passed. We'll be left with our memories of today and our steps toward the future. So we have to start now.

As most know by now, social responsibility and civic engagement are very important to me. I look at moments like these, rare as they are, as a chance for people to reach out to each other and consider new ways of becoming active. Before the freshness of the new year passes, I want to commit to rising up to the challenge myself. Starting this year and growing as these four years go by, I am going to read more newspapers, familiarize myself with local politics, read up on the legislation I normally ignore, and take every chance I get to teach others about what I learn and encourage them to do the same.

I hope you all take some time to reflect today and that you'll join me in making a commitment to play our part in making this country ours. In the words of our new President, "This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time..."

(Cross-posted at Jump off the Bridge)