He won. Get over it. Get on with it.

Dear Friends,


The Nobel committee took their list of 205 nominees (the highest ever) and eventually decided our President should should be the recipient of their prize. They had their own qualifications, which may not have been the ones we may have chosen. But that's irrelevant. We have to stop projecting our standards onto other people's decisions.

Regardless, why do we think it's shameful that such recognition would go to what the world perceives as nascent efforts? In fact, many prestigious grants and awards are given based on important work that is far from being done, in the hopeful promise of more to come. We call it funding cancer and stem cell research, grants to start new businesses, Fulbrights to conduct international research, and the like.

Every Nobel selection is different and many selections are controversial at the time. Peace is a process. I'm glad President Obama is engaged in the process and I hope this award helps him to maintain an international stature as a man serious about peace. Further, I hope this prize strengthens his will to continue the difficult, often discounted efforts at transformation through diplomacy.

President Obama said all throughout the campaign that WE are the ones we've been waiting for. With all this grumbling. it seems we're still waiting for ourselves. I think a more productive conversation than "Did the Nobel Prize Committee choose the person I would have chosen?" is "As an American citizen how do I advocate for a peaceful society? How can I support the President's vision for peace worldwide?"

Rather than grumbling, let's be inspired, and let's get to work!

Love,
Nicole