Alison Velez Lane's Blog

Time To Rejoice: Our Next President

Alison Velez Lane — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:23:21 EST

“When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.” Proverbs 28:2

“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule the people groan.”

Proverbs 29:2

“By justice a king gives a country stability but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down.”

Proverbs 29:4

Congratulations to the United States! Congratulations to President-Elect Barack Hussein Obama! Congratulations to YOU!!!

Our work has just begun. It is up to you and up to me to create, maintain and sustain change. Look inside of you and bring out your talents, experience, imagination and determination to change rebellion into order, groaning into rejoicing and greed into goodness.

It is important for each one of us to use our understanding, knowledge, righteousness, goodness as the tools to order, joy, stability and rebuilding America’s infrastructure, industry, financial strength and social faith.

Order, joy and stability are the goals that will guide America’s reclamation of the ideals of “freedom and justice for all” and “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" for all.

I dedicate this blog entry to my ancestotors, grandparents. parents, siblings and nephew.

Barack the Leader, Barack the Builder

Alison Velez Lane — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 02:19:49 EST

Barack Obama’s campaign for President of the United States has led to building cohesive teams, social bridges, effective coalitions, productive self and ethnic esteem and civic involvement. Staff, volunteers, supporters and even observers continue to grow as a direct and proximate benefit of the Obama’08 campaign’s approaches to voter and volunteer involvement.

People of diverse and converse ethnic, education and employment descriptions have joined minds, hands and hearts to learn about election laws, debate techniques, voter registration and campaign participation. Technological skills, effective teams, self-esteem, political knowledge and political interest have reached new levels. Campaign volunteers and staff have honed skills, techniques, systems and strategies which are transferable in the market place, school house, board room and family home.

Here are some examples of Barack the Leader, Barack the Builder:

1. www.barackobama.com

www.barackobama.com offers templates and opportunities to connect with affinity groups, organize events, research issues, view videos, create blogs, register voters and volunteer for canvassing and contact voters.

2. Volunteer Training

Obama’08 has trained volunteers to canvass neighborhoods, coach volunteers, connect supporters, convince doubters, monitor the polls on election day, evaluate debate techniques and send stories to the media. The offerings and opportunities abound for people participate for one day or every day, in their local community and in other states, as individuals and in groups.

3. Innovation and Inspiration

Senator Obama has encouraged supporters to participate by means of their creativity and talents. Creativity and innovation have given new energy and elements to the traditional t-shirts, buttons, bumper stickers and lawn signs. Videos, songs and jewelry are showing and sending the message to “Act”, “Believe”, “Change”, “Hope” and “Vote.”

4. Global Warming

At the Berlin Wall, throughout Europe, in many languages, many countries and many minds, the power to inspire, listen, respond and involve have motivated and demonstrated the significance of hope, political empowerment and self-development. During the Pennsylvania primaries, I rode up in an elevator filled with people chatting and cheering in a diverse language and dialects. "Obama" was on the minds and in the mouths of enthusiastic supporters from France, Korean, Japan and yes, the United States.

5. Leading and Building by Example

The construction of new social, political and economic paradigms requires vision, plans, designs, foundation, tools, timelines, budgets and teams. Senator Barack Obama is leading .Senator Obama is building.

His leading and building have inspired individuals, families, organizations and communities to use their tools, skills, abilities and experience to construct and fortify plans, procedures and progress in education, politics and economics.

Dreamers and builders from diverse backgrounds, benefits and bases are leading and building by example.

These multi-talented, multi-lingual and multi-ethnic dreamers are building power surged Towers of Able rather than power drained Towers of Babel.

Why I Support Barack Obama for President

Alison Velez Lane — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:22:49 EDT

In these final days of the U.S. Presidential Campaign, I remain optimistic that Dr. King’s dream for my generation to “live in a world where [we are] judged by the content of [our] character and not by the color of [our] skin" has come of age.

I am supporting Senator Barack Obama for U.S. President based on his proven ability to dream, proceed, lead and succeed. His gift to ace rather than his gift of race inspire me. The fact that Barack Obama is African-American offers a plus for my support not the premise.

Senator Obama is 8 months older than me. My identification with him is at glance understandable and predictable. Our educational backgrounds mirror. I am an African-American attorney, businesswoman who graduated from an Ivy League law school, University of Pennsylvania and Seven Sister college, Bryn Mawr.

A zoomed focus produces a clearer resolution of my reasons and results of my traveling the country in support of the Obama'08 campaign. I have volunteered as a Protect the Vote attorney, Hispanic Outreach spokesperson, Faith Outreach visitor and Telephone Bank caller. I have met people from across the country and around the world. I have enjoyed firsthand the positive energy of racial and global unity.

My commitment to the Obama for U.S. President campaign judged with strict scrutiny and close examination considers his educational achievements, leadership strengths, family values, uplifting personality, fitness habits and eloquent public s peaking. Senator Obama’s vision, values, virtues and voice speak to the highest levels of my dreams, aspirations, goals and plans. His vision of a well-respected and well-run United States government wins me again and again.

On personal note, the “Family” chapter in The Audacity of Hope personified in his relationship with his wife, Attorney Michelle Robinson Obama, children, relatives and friends encourages me in my relationships. Clearly, he gains power, peace, joy, and purpose from his ancestors and his descendents.

Participating as an Obama volunteer has allowed me to experience the positive impact and outcomes of leadership which inspires and motivates. It has put into action the principles and themes which I expound as a writer, speaker and leadership coach: the power to think purposefully, change plans strategically, respond to constituents respectfully and to engage advisors, staff and volunteers fully.

I will continue to campaign for Senator Obama based on the ace of his leadership and not the color of his face.

The Day Has Come

Alison Velez Lane — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:55:25 EDT

"I have a dream that my four young children will one day live in a country where they are not judged by the color of their skin but rather by the content of their character."

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., August 28, 1968

America that day has come. Proud and purposed Democrats have nominated Senator Barack Hussein Obama as our official candidate for President of the United States. This nomination signals the character, courage and commitment of Democrats to choose based on vision, leadership, wisdom and talent rather than ethnicity, complexion, race or color.

Throughout the 19 months of this campaign, America has grown and matured. During the 47 years of his life, Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama has developed and delivered with determined effort and demonstrated excellence. By his own life, Obama has made choices and sacrifices in places where no one his family had before walked.

“Without the guidance of good leaders a nation falls.
But many good advisers can save it. “

Proverbs 11:14

Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama has called well on his intelligence, personality, charm and compassion to attract advisors, staff, volunteers, resources and relationships which strengthen his strength and "sharpen his iron". Wise men, wise women, wise youth and wise leaders know the power of polling followers and pooling minds. Wisdom and wit are two of our Presidential Nominee's trademarks.

Our day has come. As we celebrate the moving forward of Dr. King's dream, we mobilize, actualize and realize the dreams inside of you. Do what you are called to do each moment, each hour and each day.

During the days ahead, you and I will invigorate and incorporate our dreams in strategizing, strengthening and succeeding in our quest not question for The White House and our blessed houses of prosperity, productivity and peace.

YES, WE CAN. Yes, we will. YES, WE ARE!

Our march forward will generate force, power, inspiration and energy that will fuel our economic, political, social, spiritual and intellectual renewal as individuals, as a nation and as citizens of the world.

The day has come. The day has arrived. Our dreams are revealing and realizing in the same moment. Our momentum is building. Our egos are yielding. Our hope is healing.

Welcome and "come well" into this new and glorious day. Embrace the newness endowed, empowered and endeared by the days, dreams, determination and deeds of our ancestors. Enlarge the victorioius blossoming and blooming days of success in all fields for our descendents.

Changing Mind vs. Flip Flopping

Alison Velez Lane — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 02:33:51 EDT

Smart Leaders balance the powers of firm stance with necessary change. For the past three to four presidential campaigns, I have listened to talk show hosts, read newspaper columns and analyzed political cartoons about the “flip-flop” concept.

The “flip-flop” concept apparently maintains that a candidate has to make a clear, firm choice and stand solid with that choice without reflection or revision. A far better standard of review examines how wisely, purposefully and responsibly a candidate or leader evaluates, assesses and articulates the best strategy and solution for the future.

A captain of ship forced off course by a storm or bad directions acts with leadership when he or she pulls the vessel into port, casts down an anchor at sea or sounds the alarm for a meeting of advisors. Smart Leadership requires the capacity and ability to change positions and paths. Arrival at the port of responsive and efficient governance requires the courage to make informed and reasoned adjustments to policies, passengers, platforms and plans.

Barack Obama: A Champion Cheer Leader

Alison Velez Lane — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:09:36 EDT

Cheerleaders are gifted with the ability to make powerful moves, motivate team members, rally supporters, excite sideliners and focus energy on WINNING. Senator Barack Obama is a “Cheer Leader.” He is a positive, creative and active leader. Obama is a good sport when he loses and when he wins.

From the ancestors, I hear a voice ringing: "Be a drum major for justice." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

During his thunderous and tremendous address to thousands at the Berlin Wall, Senator Obama gave a rally cheer for all of us to win with our heritage, health, hands and hope. His demeanor, diction and delivery cheered for our all of our dreams, development, determination and destiny. Obama's message is personal, eternal, international and universal.

What are your dreams? What is your destination? What are your duties? What is your destiny?

From the ancestors, I hear a voice ringing: "Ask not what your country will do for you. Ask what will you do for your country." President John F. Kennedy

Cheerfully and clearly answer your definition, development, determination, dreams, destination and destiny. You are designed well. Do well.

From the ancestors, I hear a voice ringing: "We have a positive vision of the future founded on the belief that the gap between the promise and reality of America can one day be finally closed. We believe that." Congresswoman Barbara Jordan

I dedicate this blog entry to my mentor and sister, Dr. Paulette Coleman who lives in Nashville, TN.

Wash Your Mouth With Hope

Alison Velez Lane — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:03:46 EDT

You have the tremendous power to create life, change and HOPE with your words. Did your parents or teachers ever discipline you by washing out your mouth with soap after you "used a curse word" or showed disrespect to them or others? Do you use Scope ™ or other mouth wash to disinfect your tongue, sanitize your teeth and de-tox your throat? Let's HOPE so.

For your political voice box, I encourage you to wash out your mouth and speech with HOPE. If you are tempted to speak negatively about Senator Obama's campaign or the importance of voting, wash your mouth out with HOPE. If the strinkingly invisible and seemingly invincible "THEY" and "THEM" try to pollute your thoughts and throat, gargle with HOPE.

Changing the debilitatiing and destructive habits of profanity and negativity requires discipline. We must use the faith, wisdom and love that our ancestors, parents, teachers, caretakers and leaders demonstrated when the corrected us.

Let's correct ourselves. Let's change ourselves. Let's "keep the change" with prayer, partners, perseverance and yes, HOPE.

Start in the name of HOPE. Cleanse your mind, messages, method, manners and mouth with HOPE.

Wash out your mind, wash out your eyes, wash out your ears, wash away your tears, wash away your fears and wash out your mind with HOPE!!!!