I’m glad this showed up in my inbox this morning, Alecia! I was looking forward to the rest of the story. I know some other folks who have been fans of Robert Kennedy, Junior, who are having an internal struggle now. I’m no fan, but I am sorry to see this decision overshadow any good work he’s done in his life.
I'm happy to hear that you were anticipating it. May I ask why?
I also know people like you mention and some of them are probably common friends. I know some who were in strong alignment with this message and volunteered a lot of their time in the cold and the heat to canvass for him. When he announced in support of DJT, many of them got very angry and felt betrayed. I can understand that.
Can I tell you how much I appreciate the spirit of your message? You're last line showed the substance of which you are made. This spirit is exactly who I'd like to engage here. I hope you'll return.
Thank you for this blog! I have been using the language of the upside down world recently as it's the closest saying I have found to how I feel about things in the now. It is almost eerie how closely aligned I am with this post. I was considering writing something very similar, but hadn't got past the fear. I applaud your courage in speaking clearly from your heart and with balance, consideration and truth.
I especially resonated with the issues you are grappling with from both sides. From censorship, to medical freedom, women's rights, Trump's narcissism on steroids to the "installation" of Kamala, I could not agree more.
For the dems, I would add the following:
-Seeming misuse not only of our great nations institutions to "lean" on companies to guide the narrative they want in reporting, but it also appears they are using the justice system for politics.
-Increasing give-aways via debt. This one is a concern for both parties as no one seems to be talking about our historically high debt and spending. I get more concerned with the left though as all I have seen of Kamala's plan is almost ALL giveaways. The numbers around this are scary. Social security is on track to be insolvent in 9 years! The percent revenue paid to interest is already near half and growing. This is not sustainable.
-Handling of the border and immigrants more widely. I have concerns from both sides on this, but like above, more with the left. I'm for immigration, I just think we need to know who is coming and make clearer and more efficient legal pathways.
-Cancel culture and sheer smugness: I start moving away from any group that claims freedom, but cancels anyone who doesn't agree or that says things like "any reasonable person" will vote this way, or you are a terrible, horrible human if you don't see it this way or everyone not voting this way is xyz (insert favorite derogatory name here from racist to dumb to anti-American). I also loose interest when people start saying things like our entire country, foundation and systems are inherently racist. These all or nothing perspectives take things to far and create more issues than they solve IMHO.
For the right-
- With the hate already. NO THANK YOU. Like Aretha Franklin said R-E-S-P-E-C-T goes a long way. Actually, that last part is for both, but as a general rule, the right is definitely worse. The attacks, crass language and exaggerations are toxic and unhelpful. I do think this is a bigger issue with Trump himself than the party as a whole, but the party also likes to represent aspects of this plenty.
-Like above, the smugness and arrogance is a big turn off.
-The religious far right concerns me at times, but I think the average American keeps this pretty well in check with our collective agreement around the founding principle to keep church and state separate.
Standing above all of this though is a larger concern that we are allowing ourselves to be so sidetracked by our differences and mislead by misrepresentations, lies, narratives, propaganda and ideologies that aren't tested against actual facts and real life outcomes.
Sigh, adding two more concerns for the right this time:
1. The vote to stop the bill for guarding the right to IVF bothers me. I mean, seriously! IVF is to birth more babies, so what is the issue? This makes it seem even more like an attack on women.
2. The stories on Supreme Court justice John Roberts also disturbs me. It's that same weaponization and politization of our nation's institutions.
Also, thank you for the room to air all this. I have not said any of this publicly anywhere. I think my soul and spirit just needed to acknowledge and say it.
The IVF thing is completely confounding, except for it being a religious thing. If you don't want IVF then don't get it.
My goal is to create a safe space here for people to express which is why I'm also trying to open and honestly express. I want to attract and magnetize like-spirited people. One doesn't have to agree but to have a good spirit nonetheless.
If it gets difficult to keep the space as the blog grows and has more eyes on it, I'll create a low subscription fee to put pay walls around it because the free tier is public and I can't change that.
It's super important to me for people to have a safe space to express. I want it for myself so I create it for other people. It's one of the few ways to balance out the mental health issues that have a tendency to build up for most of us when we're don't feel free to express freely.
First, thank you for commenting. In your own world, you obviously understand how difficult writings like this are to put out publicly. It's a lot easier for someone who's aligned with "a team" to put something out because they only have the other team to worry about getting flamed by. When one writes across the aisles, especially if it's not filled with anger-filled rhetoric, people get aggravated and one gets flamed by both sides. People love to see you fight in an angry way. It gives them the adrenaline rush they're seeking. It's exhausting. Most of us are addicted on biological "drugs" and don't even know it. I've been watching it in myself lately.
I agree with companies "leaning" on all kinds of entities to add pressure in "guiding" the narrative. That aggravates me and it shouldn't be legal. I don't know how one stops them from doing it, but I'd sure like to see some guardrails put in place.
Unfortunately, from where I sit, I think I see both sides using the justice system for politics. It seems most all of us have slipped into enough fear to give up civil rights for "protection" as well as to "win at all costs". How do we even pull the rope back in?
I'm 100% in alignment with the government "giveaways". Anymore, it seems legal to basically "bribe" people for their votes...and then they don't even pay for the debt they charge up...and it's legal. . If you or I kept racking up our debt and couldn't pay it, there would be a big price to pay, but not for them.
The immigration thing is also a worry for me on both sides. I know it's a complex problem but surely we can do a bit better. Many don't realize that part of the immigration problem is due to climate change taking away people's jobs, shrinking and eroding land masses, and the expense of dealing with repair and rebuilding. As usual, I don't sit in one full court or the other with climate change. I think it's both cyclical, as well as exacerbated by humans.
The whole cancel culture thing is a pet peeve of mine. I have an issue with speaking in "absolutes". It irks me to see politicians say "The American people want....". Most often, they're not speaking for me and I don't want to be included in their rhetoric. I especially don't like it when groups are mentioned to use as a wedge.
From the right, I agree that I believe that things REALLY started to go downhill when DJT ran for office the first time. The name-calling was enough on it's own while piling on with all manner of language that's sharp, edgy, triggering and divisive. I'm not hating on him nor using him as a scapegoat. I truly believe this....and then the democrats followed suit. I'm not saying that none of them ever did it before, but somehow it seemed to open the floodgates to engage without decorum. I've often wondered how parents are raising their young ones now with all of this childish sniping and name-calling. Heck, they're even hearing their parents talk like that. What's the next generation going to look like if this continues?
The far right bothers me, as does the far left. I, personally, prefer some of the hate speech to be out in the open over forcing it underground. We need to know where they are so we can talk about it in the open.
It's interesting that I try to talk to people that I know are intelligent and conscious people, although with some of them, you wouldn't necessarily know it. They can't even listen to a neutral non-judgmental intelligent person talk outside their belief system without getting prickly or worse. I just read that energy and move on. I don't have the time to battle and I can't make another adult change their mind.
Lastly, I would like to thank you for encouraging me in speaking my messy truths. Just little mirrors of reflection or kind words of encouragement can make such a difference in shoring o up someones - my - courage. I try to do it without any external edification so I can be self-sustaining, but the added kudos help me sprout more wing feathers. You can't know how much your words meant to me, and it's not because you necessarily agreed with me.
These are the kinds of respectful conversations I'm creating space for here. I hope you'll comment again sometime.
For me, it's best to ignore most of it. I trust the higher realms. The arguing and division is intense and done on purpose, in my opinion. Yeah Trump plays a role in that. He can be arrogant but I also think he has a right to be pissed off.
I know the Mara Largo invasion pissed me off and the ridiculous charges. So he is justified in his anger, in my opinion.
I do think this term will be different. I think unity is on his agenda but he's battling DC which is corrupt to the core. I believe the system will collapse. No more 2 parties, smaller government and no interference with lobbying.
Change scares people too, so I get it, but fear never does any good.
And we can disagree about the narcissism. I've been around so many and he doesn't fit the bill.
I guess in a nut shell I just want you to find peace. And now I know you're a female. Lol
I wasn't sure by your profile name.
Breathe and trust.
Oh and a side note, I don't watch TV but I have Amazon prime which means I get some shows. I saw the Apprentice reruns and have been watching it.
The amount of charity works he does is impressive. News doesn't tell ya that.
Also did you see what Bill Maher recently said after their dinner?
There's a side of him, he doesn't publicly show and in my opinion, he can't. He has to show strength and dominance in a world where leaders hate us. If he showed his soft side, it wouldn't do well on the world's stage. And that's exactly what it all is - a stage, and he's playing his role.
I understand what you're sharing on much of this even though I disagree with some of it too which is perfectly alright.
I believe that part of all the drama that we're seeing is because people are afraid of change and too much at once is really scary. Combine that with the biased media and it's just a 💩 show.
At the same time, I also feel that it's too much too fast with many of the changes he's making and there are others that I'm absolutely NOT about. When it comes to cruelty or denying people their lack of due process, I'm just not about it.
If I don't speak up for "them" then there will be no one to speak up for me when I need it. That's why I have spoken for so many that I completely disagree with that scare me sometimes because THAT'S what freedom of speech is...speaking for those you disagree with because everyone agrees that those we do agree with should have the right to speak.
No worries about the narcissism. We're each entitled to our own opinion. It's just way too adult for many to even allow this kind of space these days.
I watched all the seasons of the Apprentice when it was out. I enjoyed it, not so much about Trump, although is interactions were interesting, but because I love to bear witness to interpersonal dynamics in all manner of engagements. Plus, I learned a lot about business which was my main reason for watching.
I haven't heard about the charity work on anything across the spectrum of beliefs. Interesting how the news has a tendency to stay in the extreme categories.
I did see Bill Maher and appreciated his honesty and have shared it with people so they can see a bit more through the veils of media illusion. There is much that Bill and I have in common in our perspective. While he's liberal like myself, he'll give credit where credit is due and call his own out. He'll also weave across the aisle on issues regardless of which party has claimed it. No boxes for him nor for myself.
Thank you for this exchange, Thea. It's been nice getting to know you. I hope I see you around some more.
I read his books and watched the show for the same reasons. Learn some skills. But now that I'm watching many years later and because of what has transpired, I see things I didn't really notice last time. It's still a SHOW with scripts and editing, but it's interesting to see the dynamics being played out.
Watching him as a business dude and not president brings more insight. The guy is about money and capitalism for sure, and that alone turns people off.
We've demonized the wealthy. Few choose to accept that iit is our current source of exchange and you can do good things or bad things with money.
Again the division of all aspects of our lives have been brought to the forefront for us to witness.
You can't clean up the dirt, unless you see it first. We're in a cleansing process. We get to decide how we are going to do that. Always start with yourself first. All of us are facing our demons.
You say things are changing too fast, I say not fast enough. Lol
Ok, so I scrolled through your posts and had to read this one. I can sense your struggles, meaning you wrote this with great honesty and vulnerability and it shows.
Now, that we have a winner, any change in thoughts?
I don't know if you're a news watcher but I am not, although during the election, you couldn't get away from it. The mind fucks and lies from them are pure propaganda.
If you stay away from it, then return, it's like the veil is lifted and you see and hear things that you recognize as tools of deception.
I know Trump, as you do. As a native New Yorker, we all knew him. He was considered a legend, smart businessman, do gooder for the city. I read his books and LOVED the Apprentice.
It wasn't until he ran for president that they turned on him, and I think it's obvious why.
So, again the election is over, however I want to point out a couple of things out you mentioned.
The narcissist- where did that come from? And what is a narcissist?
If you listen to him, he doesn't always talk about himself, he praises others all the time.
He discusses making the country great, he doesn't take a salary. He also lost a lot of money when he became president.
He's rich, old with a beautiful wife. Who gives that up for the hell they put him through.
Now, self confident, a bit egotistic? Yeah but isn't that what they teach in business, mindset, health and even spirituality? LOVE YOURSELF. SPEAK HIGHLY OF YOURSELF.
As far as ego goes, maybe some spiritual circles say drop it, but really? We kind of need it, in today's world. It's all how you handle your ego. We will always have one.
Noone becomes a leader in anything without some ego and self admiration. There's nothing wrong with it, unless there's envy!. Insecure people, dislike confident people for the most part.
The next thing I'd like to mention is the women's rights. Noone in the federal government is taking that away- all hype.
It's now on the state level, where honestly people have a better chance of making changes if they invest in local and state policies.
In my opinion, it's really a decision between a woman, the dad, her doctor and/or spiritual counsel. Government shouldn't be involved but then again, we have to stop the insanity of abortions being a form of birth control.
In my opinion, that baby has a right too.
All this crazy shit about LGBTQ being targeted and put in camps is fucking comical. But this is the madness the media wants you to believe.
So sit back relax and ignore anything that goes from one extreme to the next. No right, no left, just neutral and observe.
Trump is the great destroyer, the energy of chaos. His mission here is to dismantle- whether he does things that appear good or bad, doesn't matter. Things have to change, its up to us to decide how.
Thank you for commenting here giving me an opportunity to look back with present eyes. I think these kinds of exercises can be quite valuable. 🙂
I am particular about "the news" that I watch and read. I do engage both sides across the spectrum of ideas since I don't fit conveniently in one camp or the other. This seems to annoy people because they can't just shut me away in a convenient tribal box.
Corporate media is much too slanted with agenda in dramatic ways. They pick and choose what they want to present to support their political narrative. I'm not about it. The liberal news has been absolutely ridiculous over time. In my opinion, they're the ones who got him elected the first time because they were so petty and fear-mongering in his first election and during his first term
You asked about "the narcissist". This is strictly my personal opinion which likely isn't worth more than 1 cent because opinions are like belly buttons...everyone has one.
He is definitely egotistical which, as you point out, many spiritual people say to drop the ego, but to me, that's not a completely logical thing to try to do. In many spiritual circles, I think they go too far. The ego has a purpose which helps to keep us safe and I think it needs to be managed instead of eviscerated.
Now, from my perspective, some people stand in it way too much which is how I feel about him. To me, there's a difference between being confident and being egotistical and the latter is more apparent in some than others. In him, it's palpable. I think there's a line between having healthy confidence and speaking highly of yourself, but that's just me. I often find deeply egotistical and over-confident people self-serving, self-interested, and irritating.
I have personally known and worked for some very well-known spiritual teachers and authors who I felt stood in way too much self-admiration. They also would argue until they were blue in the face instead of just admitting they're wrong. They had to be top dog in the room at ALL times. There's a balance to walk there, imho.
The reason I equate him with narcissism is because narcissists share that egoic grandiosity while also not being able to admit that they're wrong which is one of his hallmarks. I don't have much respect for people that can't do that and I certainly don't want to be in relationship with them which is exhausting. I'm looking for people and leaders who are real and honest. They're hard to find these days.
For the record, I have no problem with people being authentically confident in a balanced way. The others I don't want to have in my inner circle.
I agree with you about us having more control about our states rights than we do on the federal level. There's a yet fully undetermined irritant about that in my belly though. On one level, it feels like an excuse to me that's supposed to paper over losing it on the federal level. Plus, I live in a bit of a backward, very poor, and highly uneducated state and I see what that creates around me. I don't trust many of the politicians to make good, educated and logical choices for the collective that don't come from strictly Christian beliefs which I'm not about.
I have no problem with Christians except when they try to force me to live by their beliefs and I'd say that about any religion or ideology. I'm a live and let live chick, as well as living by a do unto others creed.
This includes women making their own choices with their family, their doctors, and their God. I'm about reasonable lengths of time for women to get abortions which is a nuanced issue for all of us to work out. I'm not about punishing women for driving to a neighboring state to get an abortion where it's legal nor punishing people who are supporting her in doing so. That's simply archaic which is one of the "states rights" alarms ringing in my heart and belly. How can they possibly create and enforce laws like that?
In the beginning, I was proud to call myself "woke" which used to mean "awake" in the very beginning until it was hijacked by the further extreme of the liberal side and I would not use that term for myself now. I always say that both parties expanded their margins making those of us who used to be closer to the margins look more like centrists now. I'm not about the extremes that liberals took DEI to and understand why my conservative friends are so hot about it. Some of it was ridiculous and made me hot too. I'm happy to see some of it going away but it seems to me that the pendulum is swinging WAY to far to the other side right now.
If you've read many of my essays, you'll know that I'm rarely extreme right or left for much of anything and generally weave back and forth between the two with nuanced opinion and consideration. I also encourage others to do the same
I totally agree with Trump being wired as the destroyer and energy of chaos and can certainly appreciate some of that, but others of it is way too much and dangerous, especially when one doesn't seem self aware enough to consider that they might not ALWAYS be right.
I'm about some of the changes that he ran on that he wanted to enact, but so much of what I see doesn't seem very well thought out and sometimes just downright cruel.
I'm an agent of change and believe that I came here during this specific time in history to make a difference by bringing nuanced perspective and balance to most things to help people with balance and clarity.
I know our government needs to make changes and some of them need to be a bit more radical because we're doomed on the track we've been taking. But I question the logic of making HUGE sweeping changes ALL at once - especially globally - without seeing how they settle over time. We were already living in a house of cards and unconscious decisions can take us down in a hurry.
So there are some of my thoughts that I have currently while always reserving the right to evolve into something new as I learn more.
I’m glad this showed up in my inbox this morning, Alecia! I was looking forward to the rest of the story. I know some other folks who have been fans of Robert Kennedy, Junior, who are having an internal struggle now. I’m no fan, but I am sorry to see this decision overshadow any good work he’s done in his life.
I'm happy to hear that you were anticipating it. May I ask why?
I also know people like you mention and some of them are probably common friends. I know some who were in strong alignment with this message and volunteered a lot of their time in the cold and the heat to canvass for him. When he announced in support of DJT, many of them got very angry and felt betrayed. I can understand that.
Can I tell you how much I appreciate the spirit of your message? You're last line showed the substance of which you are made. This spirit is exactly who I'd like to engage here. I hope you'll return.
Thank you for this blog! I have been using the language of the upside down world recently as it's the closest saying I have found to how I feel about things in the now. It is almost eerie how closely aligned I am with this post. I was considering writing something very similar, but hadn't got past the fear. I applaud your courage in speaking clearly from your heart and with balance, consideration and truth.
I especially resonated with the issues you are grappling with from both sides. From censorship, to medical freedom, women's rights, Trump's narcissism on steroids to the "installation" of Kamala, I could not agree more.
For the dems, I would add the following:
-Seeming misuse not only of our great nations institutions to "lean" on companies to guide the narrative they want in reporting, but it also appears they are using the justice system for politics.
-Increasing give-aways via debt. This one is a concern for both parties as no one seems to be talking about our historically high debt and spending. I get more concerned with the left though as all I have seen of Kamala's plan is almost ALL giveaways. The numbers around this are scary. Social security is on track to be insolvent in 9 years! The percent revenue paid to interest is already near half and growing. This is not sustainable.
-Handling of the border and immigrants more widely. I have concerns from both sides on this, but like above, more with the left. I'm for immigration, I just think we need to know who is coming and make clearer and more efficient legal pathways.
-Cancel culture and sheer smugness: I start moving away from any group that claims freedom, but cancels anyone who doesn't agree or that says things like "any reasonable person" will vote this way, or you are a terrible, horrible human if you don't see it this way or everyone not voting this way is xyz (insert favorite derogatory name here from racist to dumb to anti-American). I also loose interest when people start saying things like our entire country, foundation and systems are inherently racist. These all or nothing perspectives take things to far and create more issues than they solve IMHO.
For the right-
- With the hate already. NO THANK YOU. Like Aretha Franklin said R-E-S-P-E-C-T goes a long way. Actually, that last part is for both, but as a general rule, the right is definitely worse. The attacks, crass language and exaggerations are toxic and unhelpful. I do think this is a bigger issue with Trump himself than the party as a whole, but the party also likes to represent aspects of this plenty.
-Like above, the smugness and arrogance is a big turn off.
-The religious far right concerns me at times, but I think the average American keeps this pretty well in check with our collective agreement around the founding principle to keep church and state separate.
Standing above all of this though is a larger concern that we are allowing ourselves to be so sidetracked by our differences and mislead by misrepresentations, lies, narratives, propaganda and ideologies that aren't tested against actual facts and real life outcomes.
Sigh, adding two more concerns for the right this time:
1. The vote to stop the bill for guarding the right to IVF bothers me. I mean, seriously! IVF is to birth more babies, so what is the issue? This makes it seem even more like an attack on women.
2. The stories on Supreme Court justice John Roberts also disturbs me. It's that same weaponization and politization of our nation's institutions.
Also, thank you for the room to air all this. I have not said any of this publicly anywhere. I think my soul and spirit just needed to acknowledge and say it.
The IVF thing is completely confounding, except for it being a religious thing. If you don't want IVF then don't get it.
My goal is to create a safe space here for people to express which is why I'm also trying to open and honestly express. I want to attract and magnetize like-spirited people. One doesn't have to agree but to have a good spirit nonetheless.
If it gets difficult to keep the space as the blog grows and has more eyes on it, I'll create a low subscription fee to put pay walls around it because the free tier is public and I can't change that.
It's super important to me for people to have a safe space to express. I want it for myself so I create it for other people. It's one of the few ways to balance out the mental health issues that have a tendency to build up for most of us when we're don't feel free to express freely.
First, thank you for commenting. In your own world, you obviously understand how difficult writings like this are to put out publicly. It's a lot easier for someone who's aligned with "a team" to put something out because they only have the other team to worry about getting flamed by. When one writes across the aisles, especially if it's not filled with anger-filled rhetoric, people get aggravated and one gets flamed by both sides. People love to see you fight in an angry way. It gives them the adrenaline rush they're seeking. It's exhausting. Most of us are addicted on biological "drugs" and don't even know it. I've been watching it in myself lately.
I agree with companies "leaning" on all kinds of entities to add pressure in "guiding" the narrative. That aggravates me and it shouldn't be legal. I don't know how one stops them from doing it, but I'd sure like to see some guardrails put in place.
Unfortunately, from where I sit, I think I see both sides using the justice system for politics. It seems most all of us have slipped into enough fear to give up civil rights for "protection" as well as to "win at all costs". How do we even pull the rope back in?
I'm 100% in alignment with the government "giveaways". Anymore, it seems legal to basically "bribe" people for their votes...and then they don't even pay for the debt they charge up...and it's legal. . If you or I kept racking up our debt and couldn't pay it, there would be a big price to pay, but not for them.
The immigration thing is also a worry for me on both sides. I know it's a complex problem but surely we can do a bit better. Many don't realize that part of the immigration problem is due to climate change taking away people's jobs, shrinking and eroding land masses, and the expense of dealing with repair and rebuilding. As usual, I don't sit in one full court or the other with climate change. I think it's both cyclical, as well as exacerbated by humans.
The whole cancel culture thing is a pet peeve of mine. I have an issue with speaking in "absolutes". It irks me to see politicians say "The American people want....". Most often, they're not speaking for me and I don't want to be included in their rhetoric. I especially don't like it when groups are mentioned to use as a wedge.
From the right, I agree that I believe that things REALLY started to go downhill when DJT ran for office the first time. The name-calling was enough on it's own while piling on with all manner of language that's sharp, edgy, triggering and divisive. I'm not hating on him nor using him as a scapegoat. I truly believe this....and then the democrats followed suit. I'm not saying that none of them ever did it before, but somehow it seemed to open the floodgates to engage without decorum. I've often wondered how parents are raising their young ones now with all of this childish sniping and name-calling. Heck, they're even hearing their parents talk like that. What's the next generation going to look like if this continues?
The far right bothers me, as does the far left. I, personally, prefer some of the hate speech to be out in the open over forcing it underground. We need to know where they are so we can talk about it in the open.
It's interesting that I try to talk to people that I know are intelligent and conscious people, although with some of them, you wouldn't necessarily know it. They can't even listen to a neutral non-judgmental intelligent person talk outside their belief system without getting prickly or worse. I just read that energy and move on. I don't have the time to battle and I can't make another adult change their mind.
Lastly, I would like to thank you for encouraging me in speaking my messy truths. Just little mirrors of reflection or kind words of encouragement can make such a difference in shoring o up someones - my - courage. I try to do it without any external edification so I can be self-sustaining, but the added kudos help me sprout more wing feathers. You can't know how much your words meant to me, and it's not because you necessarily agreed with me.
These are the kinds of respectful conversations I'm creating space for here. I hope you'll comment again sometime.
For me, it's best to ignore most of it. I trust the higher realms. The arguing and division is intense and done on purpose, in my opinion. Yeah Trump plays a role in that. He can be arrogant but I also think he has a right to be pissed off.
I know the Mara Largo invasion pissed me off and the ridiculous charges. So he is justified in his anger, in my opinion.
I do think this term will be different. I think unity is on his agenda but he's battling DC which is corrupt to the core. I believe the system will collapse. No more 2 parties, smaller government and no interference with lobbying.
Change scares people too, so I get it, but fear never does any good.
And we can disagree about the narcissism. I've been around so many and he doesn't fit the bill.
I guess in a nut shell I just want you to find peace. And now I know you're a female. Lol
I wasn't sure by your profile name.
Breathe and trust.
Oh and a side note, I don't watch TV but I have Amazon prime which means I get some shows. I saw the Apprentice reruns and have been watching it.
The amount of charity works he does is impressive. News doesn't tell ya that.
Also did you see what Bill Maher recently said after their dinner?
There's a side of him, he doesn't publicly show and in my opinion, he can't. He has to show strength and dominance in a world where leaders hate us. If he showed his soft side, it wouldn't do well on the world's stage. And that's exactly what it all is - a stage, and he's playing his role.
Again breathe and trust.
Much love, Thea
I understand what you're sharing on much of this even though I disagree with some of it too which is perfectly alright.
I believe that part of all the drama that we're seeing is because people are afraid of change and too much at once is really scary. Combine that with the biased media and it's just a 💩 show.
At the same time, I also feel that it's too much too fast with many of the changes he's making and there are others that I'm absolutely NOT about. When it comes to cruelty or denying people their lack of due process, I'm just not about it.
If I don't speak up for "them" then there will be no one to speak up for me when I need it. That's why I have spoken for so many that I completely disagree with that scare me sometimes because THAT'S what freedom of speech is...speaking for those you disagree with because everyone agrees that those we do agree with should have the right to speak.
No worries about the narcissism. We're each entitled to our own opinion. It's just way too adult for many to even allow this kind of space these days.
I watched all the seasons of the Apprentice when it was out. I enjoyed it, not so much about Trump, although is interactions were interesting, but because I love to bear witness to interpersonal dynamics in all manner of engagements. Plus, I learned a lot about business which was my main reason for watching.
I haven't heard about the charity work on anything across the spectrum of beliefs. Interesting how the news has a tendency to stay in the extreme categories.
I did see Bill Maher and appreciated his honesty and have shared it with people so they can see a bit more through the veils of media illusion. There is much that Bill and I have in common in our perspective. While he's liberal like myself, he'll give credit where credit is due and call his own out. He'll also weave across the aisle on issues regardless of which party has claimed it. No boxes for him nor for myself.
Thank you for this exchange, Thea. It's been nice getting to know you. I hope I see you around some more.
Blessings,
~Alecia
I read his books and watched the show for the same reasons. Learn some skills. But now that I'm watching many years later and because of what has transpired, I see things I didn't really notice last time. It's still a SHOW with scripts and editing, but it's interesting to see the dynamics being played out.
Watching him as a business dude and not president brings more insight. The guy is about money and capitalism for sure, and that alone turns people off.
We've demonized the wealthy. Few choose to accept that iit is our current source of exchange and you can do good things or bad things with money.
Again the division of all aspects of our lives have been brought to the forefront for us to witness.
You can't clean up the dirt, unless you see it first. We're in a cleansing process. We get to decide how we are going to do that. Always start with yourself first. All of us are facing our demons.
You say things are changing too fast, I say not fast enough. Lol
Smooth and easy would be nice, however
Cheers,
Ok, so I scrolled through your posts and had to read this one. I can sense your struggles, meaning you wrote this with great honesty and vulnerability and it shows.
Now, that we have a winner, any change in thoughts?
I don't know if you're a news watcher but I am not, although during the election, you couldn't get away from it. The mind fucks and lies from them are pure propaganda.
If you stay away from it, then return, it's like the veil is lifted and you see and hear things that you recognize as tools of deception.
I know Trump, as you do. As a native New Yorker, we all knew him. He was considered a legend, smart businessman, do gooder for the city. I read his books and LOVED the Apprentice.
It wasn't until he ran for president that they turned on him, and I think it's obvious why.
So, again the election is over, however I want to point out a couple of things out you mentioned.
The narcissist- where did that come from? And what is a narcissist?
If you listen to him, he doesn't always talk about himself, he praises others all the time.
He discusses making the country great, he doesn't take a salary. He also lost a lot of money when he became president.
He's rich, old with a beautiful wife. Who gives that up for the hell they put him through.
Now, self confident, a bit egotistic? Yeah but isn't that what they teach in business, mindset, health and even spirituality? LOVE YOURSELF. SPEAK HIGHLY OF YOURSELF.
As far as ego goes, maybe some spiritual circles say drop it, but really? We kind of need it, in today's world. It's all how you handle your ego. We will always have one.
Noone becomes a leader in anything without some ego and self admiration. There's nothing wrong with it, unless there's envy!. Insecure people, dislike confident people for the most part.
The next thing I'd like to mention is the women's rights. Noone in the federal government is taking that away- all hype.
It's now on the state level, where honestly people have a better chance of making changes if they invest in local and state policies.
In my opinion, it's really a decision between a woman, the dad, her doctor and/or spiritual counsel. Government shouldn't be involved but then again, we have to stop the insanity of abortions being a form of birth control.
In my opinion, that baby has a right too.
All this crazy shit about LGBTQ being targeted and put in camps is fucking comical. But this is the madness the media wants you to believe.
So sit back relax and ignore anything that goes from one extreme to the next. No right, no left, just neutral and observe.
Trump is the great destroyer, the energy of chaos. His mission here is to dismantle- whether he does things that appear good or bad, doesn't matter. Things have to change, its up to us to decide how.
Thank you for commenting here giving me an opportunity to look back with present eyes. I think these kinds of exercises can be quite valuable. 🙂
I am particular about "the news" that I watch and read. I do engage both sides across the spectrum of ideas since I don't fit conveniently in one camp or the other. This seems to annoy people because they can't just shut me away in a convenient tribal box.
Corporate media is much too slanted with agenda in dramatic ways. They pick and choose what they want to present to support their political narrative. I'm not about it. The liberal news has been absolutely ridiculous over time. In my opinion, they're the ones who got him elected the first time because they were so petty and fear-mongering in his first election and during his first term
You asked about "the narcissist". This is strictly my personal opinion which likely isn't worth more than 1 cent because opinions are like belly buttons...everyone has one.
He is definitely egotistical which, as you point out, many spiritual people say to drop the ego, but to me, that's not a completely logical thing to try to do. In many spiritual circles, I think they go too far. The ego has a purpose which helps to keep us safe and I think it needs to be managed instead of eviscerated.
Now, from my perspective, some people stand in it way too much which is how I feel about him. To me, there's a difference between being confident and being egotistical and the latter is more apparent in some than others. In him, it's palpable. I think there's a line between having healthy confidence and speaking highly of yourself, but that's just me. I often find deeply egotistical and over-confident people self-serving, self-interested, and irritating.
I have personally known and worked for some very well-known spiritual teachers and authors who I felt stood in way too much self-admiration. They also would argue until they were blue in the face instead of just admitting they're wrong. They had to be top dog in the room at ALL times. There's a balance to walk there, imho.
The reason I equate him with narcissism is because narcissists share that egoic grandiosity while also not being able to admit that they're wrong which is one of his hallmarks. I don't have much respect for people that can't do that and I certainly don't want to be in relationship with them which is exhausting. I'm looking for people and leaders who are real and honest. They're hard to find these days.
For the record, I have no problem with people being authentically confident in a balanced way. The others I don't want to have in my inner circle.
I agree with you about us having more control about our states rights than we do on the federal level. There's a yet fully undetermined irritant about that in my belly though. On one level, it feels like an excuse to me that's supposed to paper over losing it on the federal level. Plus, I live in a bit of a backward, very poor, and highly uneducated state and I see what that creates around me. I don't trust many of the politicians to make good, educated and logical choices for the collective that don't come from strictly Christian beliefs which I'm not about.
I have no problem with Christians except when they try to force me to live by their beliefs and I'd say that about any religion or ideology. I'm a live and let live chick, as well as living by a do unto others creed.
This includes women making their own choices with their family, their doctors, and their God. I'm about reasonable lengths of time for women to get abortions which is a nuanced issue for all of us to work out. I'm not about punishing women for driving to a neighboring state to get an abortion where it's legal nor punishing people who are supporting her in doing so. That's simply archaic which is one of the "states rights" alarms ringing in my heart and belly. How can they possibly create and enforce laws like that?
In the beginning, I was proud to call myself "woke" which used to mean "awake" in the very beginning until it was hijacked by the further extreme of the liberal side and I would not use that term for myself now. I always say that both parties expanded their margins making those of us who used to be closer to the margins look more like centrists now. I'm not about the extremes that liberals took DEI to and understand why my conservative friends are so hot about it. Some of it was ridiculous and made me hot too. I'm happy to see some of it going away but it seems to me that the pendulum is swinging WAY to far to the other side right now.
If you've read many of my essays, you'll know that I'm rarely extreme right or left for much of anything and generally weave back and forth between the two with nuanced opinion and consideration. I also encourage others to do the same
I totally agree with Trump being wired as the destroyer and energy of chaos and can certainly appreciate some of that, but others of it is way too much and dangerous, especially when one doesn't seem self aware enough to consider that they might not ALWAYS be right.
I'm about some of the changes that he ran on that he wanted to enact, but so much of what I see doesn't seem very well thought out and sometimes just downright cruel.
I'm an agent of change and believe that I came here during this specific time in history to make a difference by bringing nuanced perspective and balance to most things to help people with balance and clarity.
I know our government needs to make changes and some of them need to be a bit more radical because we're doomed on the track we've been taking. But I question the logic of making HUGE sweeping changes ALL at once - especially globally - without seeing how they settle over time. We were already living in a house of cards and unconscious decisions can take us down in a hurry.
So there are some of my thoughts that I have currently while always reserving the right to evolve into something new as I learn more.
Thank you for helping me to take this journey. 🙂