One of the very best things about being a journalist is having the opportunity to bring your sensibility and your craft to whatever is happening in the world. Today’s Game Plan is about the inauguration of Barack Obama and why the first word that comes out of so many’s people’s mouths when they talk about him is “inspire.” I take a little help from author Julia Cameron and The Artist’s Way on this one: The Inspiration Factor and Why Obama Has It.
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Nancy,
I appreciate what you say about the inspiration enjoyed from Barack Obama.
I hope I can eventually share in that inspiration but am neither inspired or impressed by him. What do you say about people like me? I’d love to be a part of “the inspired.”
Carol, I so appreciate the feedback. Like I say in the column, it is so individual and seemingly random what inspires us. For example, I think everyone with a pulse was inspired by the airline pilot in last week’s crash in the Hudson because that had a universal, life-affirming feel to it. But when it comes to people that inspire, situations that inspire, quotes that inspire, how can we predict? It’s about how we think, the life experiences we bring, and flat out taste.
Thanks again for writing.
Nancy
Nancy: Yes, President Obama is inspirational!
However, you state:
“Perhaps, and I put this forth unscientifically, this is why so many actors, musicians, writers and other artists have risked alienating large chunks of their fan base by being vocal about their passion for this president.”
Yes, very unscientific. Did you ever stop to consider that the group of folks you cite just might be vocal in their support of President Obama because 95% of them are Democrats? They did not risk their fan base.
Doesn’t take away from the President’s ability to inspire, just demonstrates the difference between right and left-brained people.
John
John, you raise an important point. I was trying to get to why he inspires beyond the typical partisan and race reasons that are always cited, both of which are true and legitimate. I just sensed there was something else. Why would someone like Demi Moore, for example, not just go into the booth and vote, but come out publicly and support him? Surely she’s voted before, but she’s remained private in the past. And she’s just one example.
He has that something extra and that was what I was trying to zero in on a bit. Thanks for giving me a chance to clarify.
Nancy