How to Deal with the Fear or Anger of Donald Trump's Presidency

I saw a post the other day on social media, where someone who I know to be generally kind-hearted voiced that they had become so disheartened with the mentality of Trump supporters that they had been asking how to proceed with compassion. The post, in general, made me terribly sad, but I responded, despite an enormous amount of reservation in sharing thoughts on this because peace is usually not met well in a state of such turbulence. It can be difficult for either side to empathize with each other, and I speak from the side that does not support Trump, nor his actions, but I also speak with a message of compassion for all those who have become disheartened, angry, or fearful.

We hear often of Trump’s racism, often times the left throwing darts in the form of words and labels, “racist,” “bigot,” and in truth, I cannot condone many of Donald Trump’s policies, especially regarding immigration and the impact these policies have had on people who may have been repressing angry feelings for years at immigrants. Our country was founded on immigrants and would not today be what it is, had it not been for these brave souls that traveled many miles to be here.

There is no doubt in my mind that Trump's presidency has emboldened many resistant to a progressive society (unfortunately, in my opinion, but others may see this in a different light), but I do think it's important to realize these people have always been here. They are sisters, they are brothers, they are neighbors, they are uncles, aunts, whoever. We all likely know one. And it's easy to be angry. We think, 'How could someone be so filled with hate or indifference?' And it boils our blood. We feel disgusted and as though we must take action to prevent further 'thought pollution.'

When we talk about love and kindness, we are not always talking about turning the other cheek or ignoring what may be happening. In these emboldened hate-filled people who have mobilized, there is an element of fear. But we may speak of compassion. We, ourselves, may be filled with fear, anger, or even rage. But I have mentioned these people have always been here, in our own backyard, silencing their aggressions because of lack of social acceptability. Trump has given those a platform.

But just because someone behaves with no integrity, must we as well? Must we be driven by forces of anger?

When we are angry we cannot drink from a cup of compassion although we are feeling the same things these people have been feeling for years.

So perhaps the answer is not to change the hearts of those that cannot be touched by the love of their fellow human. The answer is to not embrace them but to pity them. To pity their anger and hate, to pity their fear of love. These are people who have not learned to accept, and in that, it's a tremendously sad thing. Heartbreaking, the relationships and friendships they will inevitably lose out on. Painful to live in a world of such distress and suffering—without even having the presence of mind to understand the gravity of their words and actions.

We must seek change, but not through these hearts. Change through the hearts of those that can be touched by love. Compassion cannot be generated through anger, and that is what these people lack.

These people will be here as long as there are those spreading a message of anger, hate, and indifference. We are the change we want to see. We stand for what we know in our hearts to be right and true. And standing for love in a world of hate is not easy. There are many along the way who will say to you 'How can you see this without becoming so angry?' And to them you may respond, "because I wish peace for myself and for this world." Be that change.

One heart at a time.

Om mani padme hum. The mantra of the bodhisattva of compassion.

I am reminded of a teaching I refer back to many times in my own life.

‘Do not think lightly of evil,

That it will not come to me

One drop at a time is the pot filled

So is the fool filled with evil.

Do not think lightly of good

That it will not come to me

One drop at a time is the pot filled

So is the wise man filled with good.’

It reminds us to be diligent with what may fill us over time. Our intentions may be good, and we may think we are righteous in thought, word, and deed and that we will not, ourselves, become filled with evil, or anger, or hate, or any of the poisons someone may drink from. But do not take these things lightly, for in ourselves we have the capacity for great good and great evil, and we must be ever mindful of ourselves and our paths. How we use our intentions and our words is our choice, do not let these things slip away from you thinking that careful reflection is not needed.

Just remember, one drop at a time not only refers to actions and thoughts of oneself, but perhaps to us as a society, as a whole as well. One drop, just one drop. The change we want to see.