“Try to be informed instead of just opinionated”

The midterm elections are over and we are gearing up for what is next. The results showed that we the people are wanting changes but history is telling us future changes will be harder to make. We have a majority ruled Democratic House and a majority ruled Republican Senate. The question I keep hearing is “how will anything get done with the divide?” We can take a look at history where we have had similar election results. I think on my next blog I will address some of the history. What is really on my mind right now is the California wild fires happening. Today (Saturday, November 17th) President Donald Trump made a visit to California. He walked through Paradise, California with Governor Jerry Brown and Governor-elect, Gavin Newsom. The President has not had a great relationship with California leaders. Today he stood by Newsom and Brown and walked through the travesty he could only witness with his eyes. It was reported that President Trump was stunned by the devastation. The communities loss is an instance that you can’t truly understand until you have seen it. I would like to believe the President’s eyes were opened today. To circle back to the topic, try to be informed instead of just opinionated.

President’s opinion of California was that there was a huge fire happening on both ends of the state, therefore we need more management. His opinion exactly was this: “There is no reason for the massive, deadly and costly fires in California except that forest management is so poor. Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!”

Now some people read that on Twitter and started to spew out similar words and agree with him. Later to find that statement is uneducated and also insensitive to the people who have lost a lot during this time. I am sure we can all handle tough love but the timing and how ignorant it was really angered a lot of people.

He received a lot of backlash from experts, politicians and the people. With that, and also what he experienced today I truly believe his eyes were opened. His comments like, “I think everybody’s seen the light” and “ We’re all on the same page now.” More compassionate tweets have been made after his experience. I don’t think we have seen the President acknowledge when he has been wrong through action or words until today. At least not sincerely.

I will honestly say, I don’t characterize myself as a “Trump supporter”. I have yet to find anything I can stand behind him for. Either way, if you support him or not, I encourage you to send prayers, good vibes, meditate, etc on the progress made today! Like I said, character matters. The community of believers (supporter or not) should pray for these moments and more of them. I consider today a win.

I also consider today a time of self-reflection. When he learned his lesson of be informed not opinionated, I did a self check. We like to do self checks in our household. Check yo’self before you wreck yo’self, if you will.

Continuous prayers go out to California. The people who have lost their lives, lost loved ones or their livelihood. I pray for the first responders fighting the fires and helping the community grieve. A prayer for healing: Father, hold us in your caring arms. Embrace us with your life-giving love. Apply your resurrecting hands to our wounded places. It is your power that heals, it is your will that we live in good health as our souls seek you. Now, in our time of need, deliver us from our afflictions.

Simply,

LB