The Peacemakers

There is a widening margin between the haves and have nots in this country fueled by the train wreck that is Donald Trump and the continued divisions his brand of exclusion creates. Under his leadership an “us” vs. “all the others” base mentality and consciousness rose to power. It will take a painful peeling away of our own onion skin of consciousness to uncover and dismantle our biases, faults, and failings. As much as I often wish to tear down these false gods, it’s time we made peace with each other.

Some years ago, my son was with me when I purchased a still sealed DVD of the first season of “Game of Thrones”. He knows me well and said, “Mom, you’re NOT going to like it.” I actually never watched it. I trust my son. But what he made me realize, too, is that there are still some of us for which violence and mayhem and any other kind of carnage – physical, psychological, or other, is an addiction. That is, as long as we’re on the outside looking in for the most part and not having to bloody our knuckles. That’s the stuff of cowards. “All hat.”

I will assert this: “Kindness is the highest form of wisdom.” It’s easier than you think to practice it.

In his deeply arrested development, Donald Trump was never imparted that wisdom. EVERYthing to him is competition. It’s all win-lose. He knows nothing else. Truth is, real wisdom doesn’t work like that. We have to step aside from our base nature, that of “besting” someone and winning at their expense. Our success is NOT looking for enemies to subdue, but, rather, of raising up allies and friends, shining everyone’s light in ways that support understanding, collaboration, and cooperation.

I believe that Trump’s brand of success is the true weakness in our society. He is a coward. A nascent form of human being. Alive, perhaps, but not fully human. Speaking to or of him is fuel for his brand of lunacy. Shunning him, truly, would be merciful. Close him down. No audience. No king.

We can remove ourselves from the reach of those who wish to subjugate us. While it will take some unraveling of our wants and habits, it is possible to refuse to play the game. And, within the confines of our society or system of government, we must act by voting out those who do nothing to further goodness, fairness, health, peace, environmental respect, etc.

Better still...be in action for what you believe in. Set the good example in small and big ways. Be kind. Be kind. Be kind.

It can be done. It HAS been done. I started a list at the end of this post to share the names and legacies of peacemakers throughout history, but it ended up being 82 pages long! So, I’ll share the link with you instead. I wanted to post the entire list for visual effect; but, connecting to the link is also impressive; and, for me, to review even a portion of it is deeply restorative.

I hope reviewing the list gives you a sense of hope as we turn the corner on another invasion of a land that is not ours; of a people who did not invite us; and of the true legacy we are creating by our involvement in any manner of aggression. A list of peacemakers throughout history is a marvelous reminder that there are more of us than there are bullies. Long after they are gone, the legacy of peacemakers will remain.

Here’s that link:

List of peace activists - Wikipedia

ml collins | shine | 2026