Renewal of a World. Of a Country. Of a People. Of a Life.

At 10:00 PM C.S.T. on November 4th, 2008, The United States of America elected Senator Barack Obama as its new President Elect for the 2009-20012 Term.

Up to this point in my life, I have had a handful of exemplary people--role models, teachers, instructors, leaders (not necessarily adults either)--whose actions and words have given me vision and guidance toward resolutions to various difficulties and struggles I have engaged. I have silently harbored, endured and long wrestled with enormous questions, mystery, and a complex desire within myself--mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically--to identify; and to belong. To a place. To a community. To a label (because this is the current world which I live in....a world that is sold, comprised-of, persuaded-by, and educated from labels and categorizations). *Point in case: this blog has a function called "Labels for this post" ... Dramatically Ironic.

Tonight...amidst perhaps one of the most important speeches I've ever heard, I have found some relief to my internal turmoil through President Elect Barack Obama's words, in his campaign mantra, in his character... Relief in the witnessing of the way in which he stood with his wife and how he lifted and kissed his daughter... Relief in how he embraced his closest family and friends...and most importantly in the tone of his voice, the expression on his face, and how he addressed and spoke to my own heart (not to mention every listening ear in the world via tv's, computer broadcasts, and radios).

For a long long time....more than I care to disclose in detail, I have not wanted to be here. To be associated. To be labled under the titles and headings which I often have little choice in toting behind my name, my character, my identity. For a long time I have struggled with the label as an "American." It has haunted, confused, angered, saddened and befuddled me in contrast to the other label I bear as a "Korean" or more specifically a "Korean Adoptee."

But tonight I believe. I believe and feel like I have purpose, and value, and impact here...in Iowa...the Midwest...America....as an Iowan. As a Midwesterner. And as an American. A Korean American. An American Korean. A Korean Adopted American. Tonight I've regained what I've always hoped and sometimes thought I have understood about myself. Tonight I have found renewal in my capability to believe in a possibility, to believe in an ideology, in theology, in human-self-determination and independence, in the impact one voice can make, in the ability of the human spirit to unify...in the potential for the dreams which I write nightly in my private journal to come true....

Tonight I feel empowered, inspired, and encouraged in my Belief in Change and my Hope for the people of the world, of my countries, of my American Government, and of my own ambitions, dreams, and life goals...and I am soo ready to be part of the reason those things find success.