Beyond Pomp and Circumstance

There is an inescapable buzz as we inaugurate President Barack Hussein Obama for a second term in office, on the day that America commemorates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  Whether we voted for him or not, are happy about his inauguration or not, we have repeatedly viewed the image of a confident President taking his oath of office next to his beaming First Lady.

At first glance, one may view the image as part of the pomp and circumstance of a tradition that has been repeated 56 times in America’s history.   Look closer and you will notice an assortment of glares, stares, frowns and smiles, scattered behind the president.  Most people however, chose to focus on the two primary people in the picture.  This picture says so much.

At a time when so many people are cynical or apathetic about successful and fulfilling relationships, I couldn't help but read through  much of what this image says.  The look on Mrs. Obama's face and the President's relaxed posture speak volumes!  Even as they stand amidst friends and foes alike, nothing else matters.  Here's a woman who is confident in displaying her love, adoration, admiration, respect, commitment, pride, and so much more for her man.  President Obama's stance shows a man who rests comfortably in that space.  I love it!  A man who is secure enough to create that safe space for his lady, thereby himself,  has my vote of confidence to lead his people. 

For me, this image reiterates the importance of connecting with a life-partner who is bold enough to stand proudly in partnership with you to do the work required to build a love that lasts; a love that says you're in it as a team; a love that says no one or nothing can interrupt the dynamics of your partnership; a love that says you are as formidable a team in public as you are in private; a love that honors God's directives to both man and wife alike. 

You see, the President was standing in the midst of friends and foes, some of whom fought tirelessly to avert this moment.  So what?  He was standing in front of hundreds of thousands of people, most of whom worked bravely to secure this moment.  So what?  He was standing in front of countless cameras beaming the image from this particular moment in history, to points all over the world.  So what?   There was no question in his mind that he had nothing to fear.   What with the President's hand resting atop TWO Bibles securely balanced by his bride.   Significant, because one belonged to Dr. King. Yes!  Significant because the other was a gift to Mrs. Obama's mother, from her father.  Yes!  Significant because the Bibles came from two men who built life-partnerships that laid the foundation for this moment in history.  Absolutely!  And, these Bibles still stand as a symbol of the foundation upon which both men built their families.  My God! 

Unlike the President who was operating on a world stage, so many of us have to do our jobs and live our lives in ways that could be easily juxtaposed.  Whether the boss or the employee, we work in situations that run from ideal to downright gruesome.  As in the case of the President, Imagine what the unwavering support of a spouse or significant other could do for someone who has to go to work every day, knowing they could not fail.

Yes, I'm proud of my President for blazing trails in politics and giving us a reason to be jubilant on this MLK Day.  Even more, I am so proud of him and his First Lady for showing us all that we can cast egos aside to embrace and nurture a sacred space where we can create a life that rises beyond pomp and circumstance on any level. 

Today, President Obama said: "You and I, as citizens, have the obligation to shape the debates of our time - not only with the votes we cast, but with the voices we lift in defense of our most ancient values and enduring ideals."  We would be remiss if were to simply limit these words as having political significance and ignore one of the best gifts of his presidency: a clear demonstration that in spite of all of the skepticism about love and family, despite the excuses of unending temptations and aggressive suitors lurking in the wings, we could not fail if we are intentional in choosing our partners and focus on building lasting life-partnerships that are steeped in the ancient values and enduring ideals of marriage and family. 

If we all aspire to building these partnerships with like-minded people, there is nothing our teams could not conquer.   Their team is formidable not because they are the First Couple.  It is formidable because they both honored their decision  to work together towards a common goal of building a solid relationship that withstands the winds of change.  In the President’s words, “Our journey is not complete”!   To some, that may mean a journey to build America, dollar by dollar.  I encourage you to join me in expanding that journey to one that builds America and our world, one committed partnership at a time.  After all, who would not want to laud the integrity of a man, or woman, who shows such unwavering commitment?  

Our journey is not complete! There are life-partnerships to build and nurture. Get to work!

~~Vic~~