15 Things I Learned (or was reminded of) During Obama’s Inauguration Speech

20 Jan

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1. Pay respect to the people who have been in the position before you, even if you may disagree with their decisions or viewpoints.

2. Even if your life is going well and you are at the peak of your career, do not be blind to the struggles and tough times that are going on around you. Vow to do everything in your power to alleviate those struggles.

3. Do not make false promises. If you make a promise to accomplish something, give a realistic time of when it will be done, so you do not let people down.

4. Even in the worst of times, when you are struggling financially, your relationships with others may be suffering, and your health is in decline, have hope and persevere. Know that it is never too late to dust yourself off and pick yourself back up, and begin work to remake yourself.

5. Even if you are young, recognize the need to be great and accomplish wonderful things.

6. Know that greatness is not handed down to you, but is earned and often comes after struggle and sacrifice. It’s not accomplished by laying around, but by taking risks, working hard and overcoming obstacles.

7. Recognize that there is something greater than yourself, whether it be spiritual or the power of many individuals coming together.

8. There will always be people questioning your great ambitions, and aspirations. Remind them what you are capable of and prove them wrong.

9. The best way to fight wrong is not with violence but by coming together with friends and foes and adhering to your beliefs.

10. Do not apologize for what you have accomplished if it has been done with dignity. Be proud of it and encourage others to succeed as well.

11. It’s not the talents and gifts you have that are important. It’s how you use them that matters.

12. Our many differences makes us stronger, not weaker.

13. You must be held accountable for your actions- to others, to yourself and to the planet.

14. Recognize the best in yourself, the times that you shined, were confident and excelled, and strive to gain that back if it is lost.

15. “There is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task.”

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7 Responses to “15 Things I Learned (or was reminded of) During Obama’s Inauguration Speech”

  1. Working Girl January 20, 2009 at 3:43 pm #

    This is great! I’m going to link to it……

  2. Akirah January 20, 2009 at 3:48 pm #

    Great list!

  3. anymore? January 26, 2009 at 6:26 pm #

    anymore places where i can find tihngs like this unique list?

  4. themadgrad January 26, 2009 at 10:55 pm #

    Hmm well this is just my own interpretation of it, but I’m sure there are many great ones out there!

  5. Kristyn January 28, 2009 at 11:17 am #

    Well put, Ash. His speech was amazing, as was your perspective on it.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Karen Burns, Working Girl » Learning From Obama’s Speech - January 20, 2009

    [...] Ashley over The Mad Grad wrote a thoughtful, and timely, post today: ”15 Things I Learned (or was reminded of) During Obama’s Inauguration Speech.”  [...]

  2. „Über Werte – Feiern alte, wahre Tugenden eine Rückkehr?“ auf karrierebibel.de – Jeden Tag mehr Erfolg! - January 21, 2009

    [...] neuer Präsident beeindruckt) und schreibe auch keine 15 Folgeartikel darüber, was wir aus seiner Amtseinführungsrede lernen können (auch wenn es da einiges gäbe). Gleichwohl beschäftigt mich ein Passus aus eben [...]

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