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Last night I went to bed in the wee hours of the morning after celebrating a deeply moving, historic night of change with 240,000 Americans.


I awoke early laughing and crying, with a new collection of Obama buttons on my jacket and a profound sense of hope, optimism and determination.

Everyone we met this morning felt it too - the concierge, the cop, the Starbucks barista, random people on street corners, and our Pakistani-American cabbie.

During our 45 minute ride to the airport we talked with Imran about the problems of the world and the barriers to understanding and communicating with each other. He shared his experiences as a Pakistani and a Muslim in the United States. We shared our experiences as Americans. We discussed all kinds of things - 9/11, health care, the Middle East, Pakistan, and extremism in the US and abroad. We talked about our regrets and concerns with the culture and politics of fear. We shared stories about our families.

So here's what struck me…

Even a day ago we probably would not have had that discussion with each other. Why? It would have been too depressing. We would have felt too angry and frustrated at the way our government was handling these issues. It would have been yet another conversation that ended in cynicism and despair - so why even have it? Why even try?

As we pulled into O'Hare, we all agreed that discussion, communication and most importantly, education, is the key to changing the world and that in the end we all want the same thing…a good life, a better world.

In the months and years ahead, I'm confident we will all be working harder than ever to make America and the world a better place.

And Imran, the Pakistani immigrant I met today has reinforced my commitment to Room To Read as one of the steps to making change. Based on his experiences growing up in Pakistan, Imran felt that the only way to keep the world safe from the destructive cycle of extremism and poverty is to educate children, giving them the hope and information they need to build a good life.

President Obama swept to a position of leadership because he awakened in us the belief we are the change we have been waiting for...that the world is an interconnected place...and that by reaching out and working together to make change we are all stronger, safer, better.

Thank you a TON to everyone who has already sent a donation or bought a ticket to benefit our library project in Cambodia!

Consider sending a donation or joining us at the Elephant Walk on November 12th!

Let's toast to new hope…and get on with the work of making change happen.