Glenn Beck's Rally Shows the Spiritual Side of Politics

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- There are times in my life when "I know that I know." Attending Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor Event on Saturday, Aug. 28, was one of those times. I knew attending the event was the right thing to do. Here is the message Glenn Beck is espousing: "Become people of honor." To me, this means taking the action you know is right even when it is not easy and may be at your own peril.

I purchased a bus ticket to get there. When I got on the bus, traveling from Saugus, Mass., at 10:30 p.m. Friday night, I was by myself. My family thought I was crazy, but I went anyway because it was the right thing for me to do. It took 10 hours to arrive in D.C. by bus and, by that time, I was no longer alone. The passengers on the bus shared with me a common cause. They were not a bunch of political whack-jobs; they are wonderful, caring people who understand they are flawed and that our nation is in trouble. It had me wondering: Isn't it really true in life that there are no strangers only friends we haven't met yet?

Our group of two buses, consisting of about 120 Americans, got off the bus in Maryland and took public transportation into the Capitol. Emerging from the darkened underground transit system up into the light was symbolic to me: coming out of the darkness and into an age of enlightenment. My heart swelled with happiness and I cried tears of joy at being with a massive group of people all with the same intent to become better humans. Even if some thought they were there for other reasons, all came to hear the consistent message from Glenn Beck to Alveda King to Sarah Palin and every speaker after: We are human beings and God is the answer to our problems we face as individuals, as a nation and as a planet.

As a nation and a people, there have been times when we have been extraordinarily good and times when we have been extraordinarily evil. This story has been playing out for the ages and is at a crossroads. Do we live above our petty differences or do we succumb to them? It is time beyond time to put that story to rest and strive to be extraordinarily good at all times and in all situations even when it means not being comfortable. Glenn Beck's opening remarks were "concentrate on yourself," "listen to God," and be "malicious towards none."

This is what I and many others like me have been quietly doing behind the scenes -- concentrating on ourselves. From personal experience, I can tell you when you begin to incrementally "concentrate on yourself" you may discover parts that were buried so deep they are scary to look. But look at them you must, for that is what they are begging you to do and this is what Beck is revealing collectively about our nation.

Incrementally, as a nation, we are in the beginning stages of the refinement process. To uncover the beauty of a diamond in the rough, the refiner must first remove all the impurities to bring out the diamond's exquisiteness. Whether we know it or not, each and every one of us is a diamond in the rough. Becks' consistent message is it is our duty to begin the work to "concentrate on ourselves." Many have traveled the road ahead that collectively we are getting ready to travel on. You can benefit from the work I have done to restore my authenticity but ultimately you have to do your own work and uncover for yourself your authenticity. I can only be a guiding light to you on your path.

From my vantage point, Beck requested there be no signs and the request was honored. Some were wearing t-shirts with messages on them, as is their right to do. I found the t-shirts interesting. I was on the grass near the last of the big screens near the reflecting pool. I was surrounded by a family with an infant and a young boy, an elderly couple, teenagers and their parents. Everyone was peaceful and attentive to the message that we should "look inside" ourselves.

Back in the bus, someone asked the question, "What did you learn about the Restoring Honor Event?" I replied, "That we must concentrate on healing ourselves first." To my pleasant surprise, all those within the sound of my voice responded with "Yes, I know I am flawed and have work to do on myself." The United States is part of this -- a great awakening happening all across the planet.