A little boy was born blind and clung to his Mom’s hand wherever they traveled. Both were mostly too afraid to leave the house. Until an expert on assisting the blind suggested he try echolocation. Using clicking sounds made by his tongue, the boy and his parents went from fear to courage in four days. He can “see” objects around him by hearing the echo they make. Only four days–that’s how long the boy needed to learn how to navigate anywhere, even around the lake by his home in England. He still uses a white cane, but his amazing results in adopting echolocation create real independence for him. He is seven-years-old. Amazing how little time it takes to change your life once fear is invited in and then hushed, becoming a feint echo.
The Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize committee’s message today rang loud and clear. Awarding Obama the prestigious honor seems to signal a strong and immediate vote against the Bush reign. Only nine months into his presidency, Obama has given birth to global hope. The award indicates so. Funny how conquering fear can create swift change. Obama said he heard the news from his daughter Malia, 11, and felt so humbled that he heard the vote as a call to action. Then his other daughter Sasha, 8, told him the really good news: “Daddy, this is a three day weekend.” Kids keep you real, Obama quipped. Sure do.
