My Buddhist training tells me not to worry: Things are in a constant state of change, of flux. They arise and they pass away. They will arise again, perhaps in a different form, and they will pass away again. We’ve seen this play out politically in our country before…any number of times. We’ve never seen a Trump before but he too will fade away and disappear like a child’s bubble. He may do a lot of damage while he’s here, as he already has with the Supreme Court, but eventually another president will come along of a different persuasion and reverse some of the damage he’s done. Even the Supreme Court will eventually change directions.
Impermanence is the calling card of everything in the universe. Human beings are the only species who question and challenge this reality, which is why we suffer so and are never fully satisfied. No one and no thing escapes Impermanence.
Electing Trump was another example of an attempt to reject the truth of impermanence. But ultimately impermanence rules. It will defeat Trump. We die as we live, and he will die accordingly. He remains a man of little character, of little empathy, of little compassion, of little consciousness, of little humor, of little wisdom, of little soul. He is a lonely man. I pity him. I wish him well, that he sees the light and can change to become all of what he is not.
So not to worry, even as he begins his potential reign of terror, of deportation, of setting up his administration of silly walks. Live your life as you wish. Make an effort to be friendly to the cashier at the food market, say hello to fellow pedestrians, avoid hitting squirrels on the road, feed and bathe the birds, strike up a conversation with strangers regardless of who you think they voted for, help the homeless in whatever way feels comfortable, say hi to a neighbor, perhaps commenting on the weather as a follow up, pet a friendly dog and comment to its owner how well he or she takes care of it. Get creative how to make contact with people.
Like the pandemic, this Trump era may get very isolating, very charged with suspicion, distrust, polarity. This is all anticipatory. I’ve had many pleasant rounds of golf with people not knowing their political persuasion. The problem arises only when I try predicting who they voted for and basing my contact on my prediction not on any reality. Besides, Trump voters are not bad people. They are not the embodiment of Trump. Their reasons for voting for him are many and varied and often complex.
Which leads me to the next phase of this discussion. As part of my grieving process, I need to know why something happened. But that’s a subject for my next offering.
Wishing you all peace of mind, happiness, and hope.
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