by Adam Helfer, Omkara World

New York, N.Y (11/01/09)...In his final run for the office of Governor, and on a rainy sunday, incumbent John Corzine held a rally in Camden, New Jersey. Local legislators, congressmen, and various politicians were there to offer their support.

However the highlight of the rally was the keynote speaker, President Barack Obama.

Back in the day Obama and Corzine were fellow Senators, having worked together on a few key issues.

My guest, Gretchen and I continually expressed good fortune in being invited to the event. Even though it was an overcast, brisk fall Sunday, the town of Camden was definitely an exciting place to be.

Not only was the President in town, the annual bridge race was scheduled to run right in front of the Susquehanna Bank Center where the rally was taking place.  Adding to the day, across the river, in Philadelphia the Phillies were to host game four of the World Series against the New York Yankees, while the Eagles were hosting the Giants in a game that led that team to first place in their division.

Although the rally was for governor Corzine, it was very apparent much of the crowd was there to catch a glimpse of and hear President Obama speak.

People were there for many personal reasons. For example, Joy Washington, a special education teacher and an English student at Rutgers, enthusiastically stated she and her husband made it to DC for the inauguration and hope to be able to support him in some way each year.

Promising to return to Camden during the presidential campaign, the President, true to his word was back in New Jersey - making it easy for Joy and her husband to celebrate the one year mark into his presidency.

Obama took the stage like a rock star to a wave of raw energy and excitement.

Obama’s support for Corzine was genuine and emphatic. President Obama noted Governor Corzine's commitment to health care and the strides the Governor has made in early childhood education. He talked about how Governor Corzine is behind securing New Jersey’s spot at the top for graduation in the nation, a feat that President Obama called "quite an accomplishment."

With a room full of ardent supporters, there was nothing really to sell, no message that had to be driven home, however President Obama did have a message.

He spoke about how everyone in the audience needed to be “ambassadors of change."  That meant just going out and voting for Corzine was not enough. They needed to call family, talk to friends and knock on their neighbors’ door to get them out to vote.

He then proceeded into a story about the origins of one of his election chants: “Fired up! Ready to Go!”

The crux of that story being how one voice can potentially start an endless wave of enthusiasm and change.

President Obama said that while in South Carolina for a legislative banquet, when he was first working on securing a position for nomination in the Party, he spoke to representative Ann Parks.

He asked Ann for her endorsement and she said “If you come to my hometown of Greenwood, South Carolina.”

Ann failed to mention how far away it was. An hour and a half away from everything far. 

However, a promise is a promise.

The president relates that the next time he flew into South Carolina he arrived about midnight, knee deep into heavy campaigning. He’s exhausted, really missing his wife and kids.

He trudges into his hotel well past midnight only to receive a tap on the shoulder from his assistant who says “Senator, we have to wake up at 6 am tomorrow”

“Why!?” Obama exclaimed. “Because, we have to go to Greenwood like you promised," the assistant replied. 

The next morning he wakes up and he feels terrible. Far worse than before he went to bed. He looks out the window and it’s a miserable, gloomy, rainy day.

He goes to get his coffee and looks at the New York Times only to see something terrible written about him. He walks to the car and his umbrella blows open and he gets soaked. He is now tired, wet, and, by his own admission, pretty grumpy.

On to Greenwood.  And he’s driving, and driving finally reaching this town only to find that all of twenty or so people have come out to meet him!

And that those twenty or so people also looked a bit tired and worked over by the rain. Nonetheless, he stepped into doing his job - shaking hands, talking to people, asking questions about their life...

Suddenly, from behind him, he hears this loud voice belt out “Fired up!”  Then everyone else proceeded to say it back - "Fired Up!"

Startled, he then heard the voice say “Ready to go!” and the people responded back loudly - "Ready to go!."

The then senator turns around and see’s this little woman, dressed like she’s going to church.

She looks right at him and starts in again: “Fired up!”

Turns out this is the mantra of this lady, Edith Childs. This council woman from Greenwood is famous for showing up to functions and doing her chant: “Fired up! Ready to Go!” 

Obama is trying to figure out what’s going on, but he likes the sentiment.  And with a rather inauspicious start to this particular day, he’s starting to realize “Hey, I’m starting to feel fired up!”

This chant then takes fire and becomes one of his campaign slogans.

His point of retelling the story was how one voice can change a room.  And if it can change a room, it can change a city. If it can change a city, it can change a state.

If it can change a state it can change a nation. And if it can change a nation, it can change the world.

One voice can change the world.

This story really struck me. What I saw in the core of this story was: Enthusiasm!

Ralph Waldo Emerson firmly states in his timeless quote: " Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiam." This sums it up perfectly and it relates to all aspects of our life, whatever our focus may be.

In business, enthusiasm is as important as location, location, location.

Enthusiasm also furthers our spiritual aspirations. Our spiritual endeavors can be seen as a sailboat, and enthusiasm is the wind that drives us to our goals.

My spiritual mentor, B.T. Swami, stressed the importance of enthusiasm on a regular basis. 

A corresponding verse from the Vedic text the Bhagavad- Gita translated by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada states:

“One who performs his duty without association with the modes of material nature, without false ego, with great determination and enthusiasm, and without wavering in success or failure is said to be a worker in the mode of goodness”

As for our physical and mental selves-  

We will never accomplish our fitness, diet and wellness goals without enthusiasm in all aspects of the process. How can we truly accomplish these goals if we are doing them mostly begrudgingly?

In the practice of the “Law of Attraction," enthusiasm is a key attribute for manifesting our desires. How can we really bring forth our dreams if we don’t fuel our practices with enthusiasm?

Enthusiasm really is the pulse of a successful and meaningful existence- and don’t forget how infectious it truly can be. As Obama stated, a voice with enthusiasm can truly change the world.

Work to find your personal enthusiasm.  If you have trouble finding your own, look for others where you can draw from.

Identify mentors, heroes, inspirational quotes- and, of course, you can always go with Edith Childs “Fired up- Ready to go!”

Remember that enthusiasm isn’t just for yourself, you never know who you are going to touch and inspire with it.

Even a future President of the United States can use a spark- Now and then.

Adam is a Reiki Master, certified Health and Lifestyle counselor, Licensed Massage Therapist, 20 year practicing bramana initiated Bhakti Yogi, Spiritual advisor, visionary, jock and veteran of the “hardcore punk scene” all rolled into one. Adam is the founder of Omkara World and produced the mind/body fitness DVD “Intelligent Fitness."

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