“We don’t grow in spite of the obstacles in our lives, we grow from them.” Ralph De La Rosa

Thoughts of Donald Trump invade my mind as I do my morning reading, writing, and meditations. Keeping in mind the line above from De La Rosa’s book, The Monkey IS the Messenger, perhaps we are to be grateful for the experience of Donald Trump. He can certainly serve as a low tide mark for our development as sentient human beings. Maybe he came to us at a time when we need to refocus on the essential qualities that are required in a working democracy.

The divisiveness that has grown in the last four years is destructive. From the beginning of our country we have claimed “one nation, under God,” and “E Pluribus Unum.” We have historically taken great pride in being “the melting pot” of the world. Our Statue of Liberty proclaims, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free . . .” And maybe we’ve forgotten, maybe we’ve gotten too tied up in Republican vs. Democrat, concerned with singular issues, to see the big picture of what this country once stood for.

Maybe that’s why Donald Trump was brought to us – to show us the depths of mean-spirited reductionist thinking. I know I certainly have reviewed my own thinking. I’ve expanded my vision of what it means to be a human being. I’ve become more aware of the fragility of our presence on this planet and the definite extinction inherent in policies of Trump-minded people.

For this I can be grateful to Donald Trump. As Saint Paul said, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Amen. Perhaps now we have an opportunity for real growth in this country by saying good-bye to Donald Trump. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!