Save the Union, but Save Yourself First

Leonard Pitts, from the Miami Herald wrote an article about the myth that Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves. He says  the Emancipation Proclamation was a military measure to destabilize the rebellious south and did not apply in slave holding states.  http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/857544.html

However, he does point to the fact that Lincoln abhorred slavery and believed in the humanity of blacks. Lincoln’s primary goal was to save the Union. And so, the Union of the United States remains.

But what kind of Union? We are witnessing today in the inauguration of the 44th President. The main theme is hope and confidence. We can be down in the gutter, but hope is the light at the end of the tunnel. I do hope for a greater Union. President Obama has been clear that it will take work and sacrifice. He is asking for all to do their part.

The United States is in virtual bankruptcy.  I have awakened in my own personal life , the value of myself without a penny. I lost a big source of my usual income in the last year as a realtor in Miami. But in the process right now of rebuilding, I haven’t lost my dignity, self-respect or self-value.

I got into  some debt to save my company and save my credit. But never did I imagine that I would be tested to the core of the possibility of filing bankruptcy. Luckily, I am  back on track to earning income.   I realized a few months ago, that in my heartfelt and  sincere desire to pay all my debt , my biggest “debt” was to God to contribute something worthwhile, something valuable.  During this personal financial meltdown, I was experiencing a near blow to my ego of feeling worthless and a failure to my son. Because of my inner awareness during the chaos of understanding the true meaning of my self worth, I snapped out of that thought very fast. I have a clear mind, strong heart and determination to come back stronger than ever.

I recently saw the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, starring Jimmy Stewart. An angel comes to save his life and show him how life would be if he wasn’t born. It shows a second possibility of the negative impact on other people’s lives had he not been born. He is finally able to see that when he thought himself a failure when facing bankruptcy, he really was a hero in the small town of Bedford because of his prior kindness and generosity to many. That is real value.

This humanity exists in each and everyone of us. As President Obama  as the new leader of our country is going with full force intent on repairing the Union. That is wonderful.  I say the real question is: how do we, individually, repair ourselves. Many may be broke. But that doesn’t mean we have to be broken. We can be whole and mended when we, individually realize our true value.

If the government of the United States was created “by and for the people”, then we, people have to make great strides to let go of the old mechanisms that no longer serve us and work to build and new and improved “you”.  We can then transform a shattered nation, a bankrupt nation, to one intrinsically valued on the God given greater humanity that lies dormant within each of us. God bless anyone who has the courage to tap into this.

We are always looking at others for salvation. Why not look within and restructure, reorganize and reshape ourselves back to wholeness? Maybe then more families will be “saved”.  And our future leaders, our children will have more stability to dream for a better tomorrow. I believe then, and only then, can the United States be whole as well and united on a new foundation of the independent creative spirit that brought our forefathers here in the first place.  Today President Obama is my hero for his courage to make a difference.