God Bless America!

In Turkey, to give the opening lecture at an international medical congress, I woke from a mostly sleepless night just in time to hear the election results announced. I knew immediately that I had to change my introductory remarks — to say that for the first time in a very long time, I was proud to bring greetings from my country — a country which had finally gotten it right, a country which had elected a black man, a country which might begin to treat others as friends, or equals, or even adversaries worthy of respect, instead of as imperial subjects.

I didn't really need to say any of it, as it turned out. By the time I got to speak, only a couple of hours later, I'd been congratulated by literally scores of Turks, and others from all over Europe and Asia. People told me how proud they were of America, and how wonderful I should feel. I could only congratulate them back — for the cloud is lifting for all of us.

I don't know if things will really change, or how much better it may actually get. But even as my mind keeps telling me that scepticism is still very much called for, my heart insists that it is important to be hopeful — and that there is much to be hopeful about.

If we want a better world, we can't merely celebrate, or hope; we have to hold Obama to the best of his promise. Still, as dangerous as it is to raise one's hopes too high … it is more dangerous not to hope at all. Especially now, when so much seems possible.

• © British Journal of General Practice, 2008.