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"For all our outward differences, we all share the same title: Citizen" Barack Obama

I loved watching Barack Obama's farewell address this evening. He is a constant optimist and most amazingly is able to help others reach for optimism rather than cynicism as their tool of choice. I especially love how he called for empathy toward one another. That there was as much risk to America's democracy from terrorism on the outside as divisiveness on the inside. 

He was a leader that never threw insults. He disagreed with other's ideas passionately and with respect. He understood that the strength of our democracies stand on our ability to have different opinions and to work together to find a common ground for the best of the country, not for our own ego or to score points. That just because someone has a different idea for a solution does not make them an idiot or that they are less Canadian/American than us. 

Above all he kept hope at the front of his mind and all of his actions. To pay that forward I'm going to try and keep a little more "Yes we can" in my life everyday.