Inaugurals conventionally start with a history lesson and finish with a prayer.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Everybody's after a new morning. What do we have to run up and salute tomorrow?
There are some days when history is made. Yesterday was one - and I was honoured to be in Washington to watch Barack Obama being sworn in. During his soaring inaugural address, the new president gazed over a teeming National Mall that was crowded with more than a million people.
A beautiful homily, a genuine sermon, must begin with the first proclamation, with the proclamation of salvation. There is nothing more solid, deep and sure than this proclamation.
Before beginning, plan carefully.
To begin, begin.
President Obama called for a 'we' nation in his Inauguration Address. Art convenes. It is not just inspirational. It is aspirational. It pricks the walls of our compartmentalized minds, opens our hearts and makes us brave. And that's what we need most in our country today.
Prayer is the beginning and the end, the source and the fruit, the core and the content, the basis and the goal of all peacemaking.
Always be prepared to start.
Winning starts with beginning.
Read about history, and you become aware that nothing starts with us.