The Sloth: On moving forward

The sloth is a cautious animal.  Knowing how far or fast it takes to escape danger; the sloth is a good planner and works to avoid conflicts that could cause it harm.  I admit that I have some of the same traits and avoid hostile confrontation on all but items that risk my family.

I did not vote for Trump, I share almost no personal values with the President.  But I do not believe he will intentionally hurt our nation.

What supports a democratic society is that we a humans have, and can, be taught empathy – sensing the deep emotions of other people, animals, and even plants.   It allows us the gifts of kindness, empathy, healing emotionally and physical care.

Personally, I can’t know Trumps heart. I’ve never had and likely won’t

I can hear his anger, his low insults to opponents- (frankly, it can be found in both political parties).  He is not without skills; he’s a heck of a salesman.  Give him credit, he doesn’t follow the ‘rules’, but he has built an American success story.   It’s not the first time our country has made hero’s out of lawbreakers and non-conformist.  We like people who can stick it to authority (at any level).

So how do I react to his winning the election?   I found it demoralizing in that his personal values are often the opposite of mine.

I can’t know, or imagine, living in such wealth, having the power to avoid criminal prosecution, to break marriage vows, to have multiple failures/bankrupts, and to still be idolized by millions with wealth that has opened doors for him every year of his life.   It’s quite an accomplishment even for an American born with a silver spoon.

So, I accept that Trump won a ‘fair’ democratic election.  The majority of voters elected Trump.  I am not a perfect judge of character, nor do I have the governmental knowledge to know the political tools to ‘know’ how to fix.

So, I will keep my fingers crossed that President Trump will do a good job.  Democracy has elected winners and losers for over 200 years.   Not all were good choices, some were great choices.    We’ll know more in four years.  I’m not ready to fill out the ballot for another 4 years.

One more note. I want to be happy and not preoccupied by national politics, not anxious or depressed about what Trump is up to.

What I do want to do is:
Improve my own empathy for my neighbors and friends.
Work on age related pain and illness.
Be a better husband and father.
Continue learning more about Oakridge and act in ways that will lead to a happy
and productive lives for both old and young in our mountain home.