Barack Obama and Bush Sr. my personal experiences

Barack Obama and Bush Sr. my personal experiences

This entry is not in anyway an endorsement for or against any particular politician.

Well I guess I’m getting to go see Barack Obama speak tomorrow. He will be speaking in Independence at the Truman Memorial Building.  Actually I’m not all that excited about driving out there, standing in line, getting through security, waiting 2 hours to be in a mob of people to hear him speak.   I have really enjoyed that because Barack and Hillary have been so close that it has engaged the US in an election like no other I’ve seen in my life time.  Or at least that I can remember.  I’ve tried this year to put myself in others shoes and look at each of these individuals and and the ramifications it might have to either have the first female president or the first african-american president. But I digress, the point is, I’m not exactly feeling thrilled by all the hoops I have to jump through. 
But I am going to go and here is why.
I don’t remember the exact year but I think it was fairly early in the Bush Sr. administration when he the current President of the United States of America we slated to come to Job Corps where I was working. I will share with you that I wasn’t impressed back then nor was I even happy. I didn’t vote for him nor did I support him.  The secret service came in and everyone had to have a background check done on them and all these things had to happen for him to come and speak. Lots of prep work had to be done. Lots of repairs that we had been living with all of a sudden were fixed and taken care of, flowers planted and a stage built.  The big day arrived and I was still not thrilled, OK I was down right annoyed.
However when he did finally get there, I have to say I was moved.   I respectfully shook his hand and said welcome.
I have to say I was very humbled that day.  I was touched not by the man himself but by the position. Here was the Leader of the Free World.  Here stood the man who was in charge of the country that I live in and love. Here stood the President of the United States of America. Wow.  It was cool.
So I plan on taking the time out of my day to go hear Obama who may one day soon hold that very same position. 
Whether I vote for him or not is not the issue for me. It’s about the opportunity to be in the presence of someone who is doing something that very few ever have the opportunity to do.  I know I’ll look back and be happy about my choice.  I know I’m happy I had the opportunity to say hello and shake Bush Seniors hand.
As a coach I think about what type of vision a person must have to run for this position.  I think about how clear and focused he must be as he moves toward his goal. I think about how I can help my clients have that kind of clarity and focus. I think about how I personally can have greater clarity and focus on my own goals. I also wonder, does Barack have a coach. You can bet I’ll have my business card on me…..LOL
My only political position I will take is please take the time to be part of the process and vote.  
It doesn’t matter to me who you vote for. Just vote.