Hopeful Thankfulness and Responsibility for Change

This morning I awoke after a scant 2 hours of sleep to listen to President Obama speak about enduring hope.

America’s re-elected President, even with election results still coming in, spoke of the “stubborn hope” that persists against most odds and makes us work all the harder for the ideal image we believe in.

I sit at my keyboard this morning in Italy with my own hope-fire burning a little brighter.

Sunset over Brooklyn BridgeYes, I am bolstered by what I see as positive election results in Senate races (go ahead and let the door give you a hard smack on the way out you rape down-players and marginalizers of women’s and all citizen’s rights) and, yes, the Presidential returns.

More than what I heard this morning, I hold close to my heart the words I read yesterday from President Obama to a 10 year old to, in the face of bullying for being different, “treat others as you would like to be treated,” and a reminder that “what matters above all is the love that we show one another.

Politics completely aside, I have seen that resilient faith, hope and love in action over the last weeks in my friends and acquaintances in dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

New York State of Mind

Today also marks 4 years since I moved to New York City. I miss “my city” today more than ever.

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Linkage: Unplugged Weekend Edition

A night for reading This week is going to be relatively light because I have been trying a little “unplugged” experiment since Friday…. Ok, ok — truthfully I finally cracked open and have gotten way into Chris Moore’s new book Sacre Bleu. After finding a new place to get a good cup of joe and read this afternoon, I’m anxious to head to a new pub with hopes to do the same. So in hopes that you find an unplugged way to spend the waning hours of this holiday Sunday or whatever day you find these links, I’ll be brief:

Intentional Enjoyment:

If you do watch one thing from the webs before heading off for fun, make it this animated reenactment of the incredible true story of how Pixar almost lost Toy Story 2 due to 4 keystrokes — and how it was recovered thanks to mommy working. (via @pourmecoffee)

Amazing, lovely old pictures of NYC (yay archives!)

Inspiration:

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