This is a blog post from my work blog the Daily Table that will actually go up tomorrow. (You’re getting a sneak peak!)
I must admit, I’m not a political person. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I vote and do my civic duty, but I don’t follow politics and call my Congress-people or get involved on a political level (well, except for the Daily Show). I’m one of those people who believe change first comes from the ground up, from individuals and groups of people – it’s the public who make the difference. Politicians are supposed to simply represent us, so I focus on reaching people.
But, this week, as the world stopped to pay respect to one of the most historical moments in our lives, I was right there with everyone. To me, the inauguration of President Barack Obama isn’t about politics – it’s about hope. It’s about possibility and change. It’s about the old guard finally being retired. And that is certainly a reason for celebration.
Is it corny for me to say that watching thousands of people waving and cheering this man and his family brings tears to my eyes? That I have cried with joy to see hope back in people’s eyes, including my own? And to think one man is the catalyst for all this – think of what each of us can do if we’re given the chance to let our own light shine.
We have such an opportunity right now, all of us. Republican, Democrat, Independent, Liberal, Conservative – now is the time for all of us to shed our labels – political, religious, class, race, and so on – and work as a national community to make all of our lives better, from healthcare to jobs to education and, yes, even to food. Let’s stop seeing greed as something good and look toward giving a little in order to get back. Now is the time to create a sustainable society.
President Obama has said that he can’t do it alone, that the change must come from each of us. And he’s right. It’s each one of us, working at what we do best, doing our part for the common good, who will change this country and the world. We all have it within us to make the world a better place, so let’s take this opportunity to do something.
Know that any positive thing you do, whether big or small, is a contribution to the greater good. We here at Sustainable Table try to help you find better food and give you tools to educate yourself about eating better. It might not seem the most pressing issue to everyone, but this is our part (and, trust me, it is an extremely important issue!). If you grow a garden in your backyard or support a farmer at your farmers market, you’re not only helping yourself and supporting your community, you’re giving to the greater good. You’re taking a step toward being more sustainable. If each of us takes what we do best and puts it forth into the world, whether it be running this country or becoming a nurse or teacher, or volunteering some time at an animal shelter or food bank, you are doing your part. You are fulfilling the dream of not just President Obama, but of all of us.
We’re all in this together, and it’s only together that we can make this country – and world – the kind of place we’re proud live in and be part of. So from all of us at Sustainable Table, we raise our glasses in salute and gratitude to President Obama, and we promise we will do our part – one forkful at a time. I hope you will join us.
I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes (if you wish, you can substitute God for your higher power). This is from Marianne Williamson (though it’s often mistakenly attributed to Nelson Mandela). “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Here’s to hope – and an already better tomorrow. Now let’s eat!
(Diane Hatz is the Founder of Sustainable Table, Executive Producer of The Meatrix movies and co-Founder of the Eat Well Guide.)
