Reader Val Peters takes a wider view of Donald Trump’s candidacy.
Val Peters, Daily Kos, April 3, 2016
https://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/04/04/1510044/-Donald-Trump-A-Priceless-Opportunity
I believe that we are born to touch each others’ hearts and to build bridges between us. Donald Trump has given each of us the opportunity to affirm this in our lives and our communities. By serving as the perfect mirror for our society, he is showing us a way to transform everything we are afraid of about ourselves and each other. He is a friend disguised as the enemy.
Regarding the role of leaders, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, the president of an international Buddhist organization and a recent Nobel Peace Prize nominee said:
“The world is growing increasingly interrelated and interdependent. We have reached a point where, in order to deal not only with environmental problems but every other issue confronting humankind, leaders with a broad, global perspective are indispensable. Everything hinges on how many capable leaders we can produce who are willing to fight wholeheartedly for the world’s future and the happiness of humanity.”
Dr. Ikeda also said, “a human revolution in a single individual can change the destiny of a nation.” He is expressing his confidence that this is how powerful and magnificent each human being is. Each of us is a leader in our own sphere of influence. Each of us has a unique and important mission that no one else can fulfill. These ideas are explored in depth at The Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning and Dialogue, Cambridge, MA, IkedaCenter.org.
Continuing in this vein, here are some thoughts by jazz musicians Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter in their letter titled, To the Next Generation of Artists.
“We are not alone. We do not exist alone and we cannot create alone. What this world needs is a humanistic awakening of the desire to raise one’s life condition to a place where our actions are rooted in altruism and compassion. You cannot hide behind a profession or instrument: you have to be human. Focus your energy on becoming the best human you can be.”
“As we accumulate years, parts of our imagination tend to dull. Whether from sadness, prolonged struggle or social conditioning, somewhere along the way people forget how to tap into the inherent magic that exists within our minds. Don’t let that part of your imagination fade away.”
Taking my cue from these artists, the perfect antidote to Donald Trump is to focus on a world I want to create and live in, a world that welcomes lovers of life. I choose to believe that I will become so fearless and strong that nothing will cause me to abandon myself or others to conflict and misery.
Thank you Mr. Trump for giving me another opportunity to challenge my fears and do my own human revolution.