Day Two

Day two of this new world of the president I don’t want to have. The terror, sadness and anger have abated somewhat but I remain deeply unsettled. I’m reminded of a conversation with a deeply conservative friend after Obama’s election in 2008. She was convinced this meant that men from the government would come knocking on her door if she said anything that was critical of his administration. At the time, I thought this was laughable, but now I know the reality of the place of deep distrust that leads to entertaining these dark thoughts.

Donald Trump disturbs me. His unpredictability and seemingly boundless narcissism make it difficult to predict how he will actually behave when he assumes power. I am not hopeful that he will be thoughtful and deliberative—not hopeful that he will gather wise and experienced people around him. I fear the actions of anyone who is convinced he has THE answer.

But I am doing my best to come back to what I can do. First this is on the most tangible level of washing the dishes and making my bed—to stay connected to the grounding daily tasks and requirements of life. (I have a new appreciation for my mother’s advice to me when I was bored as a child. I would ask her: ‘What can I do?’ She would reply: ‘Why don’t you clean your room?’ Now I see the deeper possibility of her encouragement.)

Then there is the larger level of my role in the society and world around me. Though it is easy to say I support justice and equality of opportunity, I have to admit that I certainly have not done enough to live out these deep values. What is the new action that is required of me? What is it I can do today to extend beyond the cocoon of my comfort and reach across the differences that divide us? How can I use my life to make the world a slightly better place for all of us?