I have always considered myself a peacemaker. According to my astrological sign Libra, I was born with the desire to mediate, cooperate, connect, balance and immerse in loving relationships. From the time I was a kid, I was the go to person among my friends who would listen and sometimes offer advice. I would mediate conflicts and offer alternatives. The profession I chose reflects that. I am a licensed social worker and psychotherapist who offers those services to clients.
I have always thought of myself as easygoing, able to emotionally regulate, not lose my temper in the midst of arguments. I have been able to calm and center myself even when speaking with those whose views are polar opposite my own. My patience has been tested majorly over the past several years. I can’t wrap my mind around those who embrace hatred in any form. Whenever I have posted something on social media that challenges those beliefs, the response is generally an accusation that I am the hater. Fun fact…when I was growing up, my parents forbade us to use that word. My mom would say that we could certainly express dissatisfaction or disagreement but that hate was too strong a word. Hate demeans. Hate destroys. Hate kills. She wanted us to have no parts of that. So, no, I am not a hater.
Since the election, I wake up every morning in a state of dread about what has transpired overnight and what nefarious plot he has laid out for the day. My morning ritual has long been to wake up and pray. These days the prayers include asking for marching orders/instructions about how to best serve, how to protect those in need of it, to maintain my own peace of mind and physical wellbeing in the process. Throughout the day, I push the refresh button if I start to lose hope. I express gratitude for the blessings in my life. This once super duper social butterfly has folded her wings and has been secluding at home. I used to take delight in being in groups of people having fun and celebrating life. These days, I struggle with that since I don’t know who around me cast a vote in favor of fascism. They would never say that’s what they did, of course. They would justify it since they believed he would benefit them. They are discovering too late in the game that they were hornswoggled. The promised lower grocery prices and gas…nope. He is systematically rending the country and all of the safeguards asunder.
Raids of workplaces and schools have begun as ICE arrests people willy nilly. An American born vet was swept up in one of them. Folks born in Puerto Rico are US citizens, for those who didn’t know, but that didn’t stop them from being detained in a raid in Newark, NJ. School children are terrified that they will be taken away or they will come home to find their parents gone. And for what? I am curious about how those who object to undocumented immigrants are affected negatively by their presence. Frankly, I would rather have as a neighbor, an undocumented immigrant than a MAGA devotee. One complaint I have heard over and over is that many are hardened criminals bent on doing harm. Here’s the deal, there are more American born and bred people who commit crimes than immigrants. I shake my head at that justification when the man they voted for is a convicted criminal who just offered clemency to 1200 J6 rioters who invaded and vandalized the Capitol and some assaulted police officers. They will be back on the streets, given the thumbs up for an ongoing reign of terror. How’s that for the Back the Blue People? I give props to Pamela Hemphill who turned it down since she says, “I broke the law that day, period. Black and white,” as she tells the truth about the role she regrets playing at the Capitol that day. “I’m not a victim, I’m a volunteer.”
He’s been a busy bee since re-entering the White House. Here is a list of his deeds thus far, with more to follow. I wonder if he sits in the Oval Office and thinks about all of the ways he can take away as many people’s rights as he can and do as much damage as possible to as many institutions as he can. To what end? He clearly isn’t concerned about alienating his followers since his actions will harm them too.
Right before I woke up a few mornings ago, I had a dream where I was walking past a house and a little girl around 2 or 3 came running up to me. I bent down and she held her arms out for me to pick her up. She snuggled in and I carried her into a house where people were having a party and put her down so they could take care of her. She seemed like she felt safe. I then walked next door to what was my house, but it looked nothing like the one I have lived in for 32 years. On the way over a man in coveralls handed me two bacon cheeseburgers which I don’t eat in waking hours and two slices of pizza. I carried them over and gave them to someone in my house since it seems I am hosting a party too. I’m wearing too many layers of clothes, so I peeled down to comfort level. I don’t recognize everyone there. The word ‘safe’ keeps coming up. I kept repeating the question, “How can I help?” I woke up when a bird outside my window cawed “Up.” I know it’s related to the horrible ICE roundups and wanting to protect people, especially the children.
This morning, a long time friend called me out, after I posted a petition asking folks to sign, saying that they would stand up to the horrific things coming down the pike. She indicated that I was adding to the hate by pointing it out and taking sides. She felt that things would get better if we all learned to get along and accept that people have different perspectives and shouldn’t be judged by how they voted. My response could have been expected.
“If someone is not racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, a sexual assailant, who lies, cheats and steals, why would they vote for someone who is/does all of those things? It is a matter of values. What is happening here is terrifying. I don’t hate anyone. I listen to his words and see his actions, not the spin. I witness the impact on my community. Why do you think so many from his inner circles warned us about what he was capable of and is now putting into practice? Project 2025 which he claimed to know nothing about is now being enacted. He freed criminals who trespassed and vandalized at the least and assaulted police officers at the worst while attempting to stop the certification of the votes. For the four years following, he spread The Big Lie and did all he could to undermine the administration. That is not media spin. His campaign promises to lower costs and stop the war in Ukraine? Nah. He would rather focus on persecuting immigrants, documented or undocumented and denying women the right to make health care decisions, oh and denying trans people the right to exist. Those are some of the many reasons I signed.”
I challenge myself to be a ninja-peaceful warrior-Jedi and to use the Force rather than force to co-create positive change. We can all be part of the Resistance.
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This Post is republished on Medium.
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Photo credit: iStock
