There is hope for the world. (Ode to Obama)

While a cold has subdued my energy level over the past few days, yesterday's historic US presidential inauguration of President Obama most certainly lifted my spirits.

Men like Obama only come around once in a few centuries. Very humbly he downplays the importance of his persona and gives the credit for his election and the American enthusiasm for change to the American people. It is a kind humble gesture, but nothing is further from the truth. There are so many elements of his person that make him uniquely qualified for this historic moment in time. No one else would fit the bill.

First of there is the obvious, the color of his skin. While I realize the importance to the American people of having an African-American in the White House and how that confirms their constitutional value of equality, I think the media took a rather limited view. As far as I know there hasn't been a black president or prime-minister in any of the developed countries ever (that means white people have claimed the ultimate top leadership positions every since the days of colonization). This is the first time in history that a descendant from a previous colonized nation or oppressed race, climbed to a leadership position of a Western country, and not just any leadership position, but the most powerful one in the world.

Now let's move on from the obvious. Obama has a charisma that I haven't seen matched by any other leader before (not just in America, but in the world). There is something about his statue that almost seems royal, something states-like. He radiates a confidence and entitlement that allow him to manifest what he envisions. It's like he knows that this is his hour, his time and place in history, and he carries it with ease and dignity.

The man is clearly very intelligent. If you listen to his speeches--how he tells stories, never leaves anyone behind, ties people back to their roots, moves their hearts and focuses their minds on the task at hand, all with the perfect balance of empathy, seriousness, resolve and inspiration, every word measured both in tone and value--it is impossible to deny his brilliance.

But all of the above would not give me enough reason to write about him. What does is that in addition to all that Obama is a true idealist, someone who has not given up his dream of a better world. Someone, who realizes that life is a journey, and that this time in history is an opportunity to take a step in the direction of the journey towards a better world, a world we create collectively, a world we co-create together, a world that is simply the sum of our every day actions. And because every human being on the planet always had those dreams of a better world, he inspires hope and inspiration like no one before him. People around the world finally see someone in a position of leadership who is empathic and carries the same dreams they have, but also has the strength in character to lead them towards that vision. And so they all hang on his lips as he speaks to receive his marching orders.

What strengthens his persona even more is the other sides, Obama the father and husband, which he shares genuinely. It allows people to identify with him, like him as a person, not just look at him as their leader.

President Obama is a key figure in history who will not only inspire Americans at this point in time, but who will inspire people across the planet for years to come.

With such an example set, let us all pick up our dreams and start creating that world we all have always dreamed off.