Hope + Action = Change

What can I say? My heart swells with 'unyielding hope'.

Today, dreamers and idealists and activists unite! Let's savour it!

I'm an idealist first. I know it and it means that I am often disappointed. I need leaders who inspire me. Nelson Mandela did it when he became president of South Africa. Barack Obama does it. I want to believe that change can happen. And in my short(ish) lifetime I have seen two incredible changes that I was never sure I would see.

But I hoped. I always hope.

In the first instance I was able to act to help bring about the change. And now America has acted to bring about this second opportunity for new things to happen. New hope grows.

It's only the beginning for the new America (and for those of us who feel the effects of what that means) but what tonight has shown me - again - is that hope and action combine to create change.

To all the people I know in the US - those who I am closely related to and those who I barely know... Whichever way you voted, I hope you find that you have the president that you want and need. I believe you will. Today at least, I have hope that the right change has happened and is happening...

Congratulations!

I also believe that if anyone can cross party divides, Obama can, so in honour of the moment, I am wearing purple today. Including a beautiful gift that came to me from America and arrived on election day. More about that wonderful thing tomorrow...