This Isn't Happiness

I came across this image on boingboing today and it made me smile. The title comes courtesy of the artist - Peter Nidzgorski. It inspired me to reflect on my experience as an observer of this election.

I have watched this election with wonder while being conflicted by policy and on the fence about the best kind of leadership for a country at war with financial struggles. I have not been able to ignore the hundreds of people I have been in contact with since Obama's election Tuesday night though. People who are so totally inspired by our new president elect and the hope that comes with this election. I was in New York City on election night - and so grateful to be in a city with such patriotism. It is really beautiful to see so many people believe in something together - and that belief to be inspired by good - rather than fear. This I believe is the ultimate victory of this election.

I saw several people cry the next morning as they talked about what this election meant to them. Not just the man, but the belief that our country can do good things. And a hope that one day we will be recognized for this by our foreign neighbors.

How we will climb our way out of the spot we have found ourselves in as a country is still yet to be seen, and the leadership Obama will serve, something we will learn along the way. But stories from friends recalling people of all age and color congratulating each other at 5:30am in the morning on the streets of New York the day after the election - and images like this one here - make me proud of the spirit of this country, and hopeful for what we may accomplish in the next 4 years.