Did people get the message Obama was trying to pass on

It was interesting to see the celebrations of Obama’s inauguration held in Kenya, in his father’s home country. It seems that these Africans have high hopes that Obama will remember his roots and offer Africa some kind of meaningful assistance to improve their lives.

Yet, if one listened closely to Obama’s speech, one would not have found much about free hand outs. The over riding message was one of roll up your sleeves America and get to work. There’s much to do to pull ourselves out of this mess we are in right now.  Yes there will be some help, but you are going to have to do this yourself, was the clear message.

It reminded me of a post I had read about a young person who had written a book called Scratch Beginnings. The book is a journal of a young man who decided to set himself a challenge. He started out a brand new life, with $25 in his pockets and the clothes on his back in a city in the USA which he had arbitrarily chosen.

The young author Adam Shepherd decided to try for himself whether he could achieve the American Dream by managing to lift himself out of the cycle of poverty. He started with nothing and worked towards a one year goal which he achieved.

With other words, he managed to work with single focus from a $25 start to a furnished flat with some savings in the bank and a drivable car by the end of his one year trial. What was even more interesting was the fact that he could determine who was going to make it and who wasn’t when he started out in the homeless shelter. Yes, that’s how low he started off from.

He saw the one thing that was common in those who made it. They knew what they wanted and they were willing to do whatever it took to get there.  Part of this winning attitude was a willingness to step outside ones comfort zone, to take a risk and to discipline oneself.

What do the many millions who made their way to Washington think Obama is going to give them? What do the Kenyans hope that Obama will provide for them? Do these people think that they will now magically receive fabulous jobs, wonderful pay, big houses to live in or in the case of Kenyan’s thriving farmlands? Some people interviewed on TV certainly seemed to think so.

Did the many people listening even hear the message that hard work was going to be the requirement. Did they hear Obama talk about living according to ones means and letting go of greed. Or are they dazzled by his success without taking note of how hard he worked for it?

These times will be interesting to watch. Will the Obama magic be strong enough to infuse the people with a willingness to go back to basics by rolling up their sleeves, grabbing a spade or whatever tool required and working hard to get back their life and steady the American economy?  Time will tell. Good luck Obama. It’s a huge ask.