Obama is Following … Paradigm Nouveau
June 30th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Have you ever heard that, “You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything?” In the mid-80s, this saying stayed with me the whole time I watched the movie, Gandhi. Perhaps I was at a place in my life where I was really ready to get the truth and power behind taking a stand.
If Gandhi could bring down the British Empire by a stand, then anything was possible.
In May, 2005, while I was hosting a Hunter Lovins/Natural Capitalism event in my living room, I declared to everyone that this planet was mine and I stand for a sustainable future for my kids and all generations to come. Immediately after this evening, with candid education from Bill Becker and Hunter, I came to understand the seriousness of global warming. Still … my stand didn’t waver. Instead, I went into ACTION!
I told all the mothers, teenagers, senior citizens, and anyone else who would listen, that our planet’s in jeopardy, and that the people need to lead. My message was not one of panic; rather it was one of responsibility.
As a Colorado citizen, in 2006 I had my company write a check to cover the costs of replacing every single light bulb in our state capital building. This was the beginning of a campaign, called the New Light Project, to expand to every state. I did this to demonstrate my stand and my power as a global citizen. I was certain that politicians and big business would follow once the results were in. Not only is it the right thing to do from an energy standpoint, but the savings are impressive as well!
Today, my instincts proved correct. The article below demonstrates the power of taking a stand. Can you believe it? President Obama is making sure that the light bulbs in the White House are being changed … and that’s just the beginning of New Light.
What are you willing to stand for?
Obama Touts New Light Bulb Standards
President Obama on Monday announced new federal efforts to promote energy efficiency in the United 
States, through stricter standards on fluorescent and incandescent light and other measures.
“I know light bulbs might not seem sexy,” Mr. Obama said, “but this simple action holds enormous promise because 7 percent of all energy consumed in America is used to light our homes and our businesses.”
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During the Clinton Global Initiative last September, I was sitting on an aisle chair right near the stage. Former President Bill Clinton always plays good music before the start of each general session. I was in a “let’s rock this place” attitude and ready for the conference to begin with the opening Clinton-facilitated panel. It was entitled A Call to Action with Al Gore, Queen Rania of Jordan, Neville Isdell (Chairman of Coca-Cola), President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia and U2 lead singer Bono.
During the conversation I noticed Bono waving discreetly and giving a peace sign in my general direction. Could he actually be trying to communicate with me? The room included some of the world’s most high-powered politicians, international business leaders, philanthropists, celebrit
ies and heads of state. Why is he trying to get my attention? I waved back, and received a thumbs up and another peace sign. Oh yes, a smile too. During the rest of this opening discussion there was a knowing understanding between us … it was as if we were listening to the same beat from the same drum, even though there wasn’t any music playing in the room. Maybe this is what they mean by catching someone’s vibes.
