My take: Obama's Nobel Peace Prize

La ignoracia es atrevida...Never before has that saying made more sense than right now. As we heard this morning Pres. Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In my opinion, the move was a great decision and speaks very highly of how much the image of the United States has changed around the world since Obi became prez.

However, it's incredible how many people have expressed their negativity toward the subject. Thanks to the wonderful world of FB, I got to see a few status updates this morning relating to this matter. For example people wrote: "What a joke"..."Nobel peace prize for Obama..really? you gotta be kidding me"..."Why him, he's not Nelson Mandela, what has he done?"

True, he is not Nelson Mandela. He is not Mother Teresa. It's also true that he has not undertaken a 7 month-long fast to stop the war in Iraq (he looks pretty healthy to me). And true, he's only been in office for 7 months.

But we have to understand and put into perspective the real reason behind the award. Alfred Nobel, who instituted the Peace Prize, stipulated that the peace prize should go "to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations and the abolition or reduction of standing armies and the formation and spreading of peace congresses."

It's not about what he has "done". It's about what he has the power to do. And right now, at this point in time when things in the world aren't all happy and jolly he has the power and capability and is working very hard to contribute to Peace. He's pointing the world in the right direction.

Like Obama said himself "It's a call to action". It means the world knows the great things he is capable of doing in the future and they are recognizing him for it. Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, who won the prize in 1984, said Obama's award shows great things are expected from him in coming years. He said: "It is an award that speaks to the promise of President Obama's message of hope."

The previously listed FB statements really offended me, and let me just say for the record, I am not easily offended. On the other hand, when it comes to ignorant individuals who express themselves with uneducated comments toward subjects I am particularly sensitive about, I get pissed. To make matters worse, most of these statements were made by young adults. Those same young adults whose future Obama wants to improve by promoting hope & peace.

So my message to these folks is: Do your research people, come on! Before you get out there and express yourself through the written word, put your brain into action and think for a CHANGE.

Obi totally deserves the prize, he's a great role model for people like me. Those of us who have a positive outlook on the future. And most importantly, those of us who are committed to being "the change you want to see in the world."

Politics is not my thing, never has been and probably never will. However, this is one politician has caught my attention since day 1. He's inspired me to believe that there are great things ahead. Not only for me, but for society as a whole.

Today, I leave you with a song from MJ "Heal the world...make it a better place." jajaja..just kidding.

Going back to all seriousness.

I leave you with this amazing quote from Gandhi. (Those of you who have lived with me or visited my home at any point in time, know that I keep this on my fridge). It's been my mantra since I heard it from his son, who came to speak at my university several years ago.

"Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny."

Until next time.

LD