Thank you, President Trump

THE POWER OF DUALITY

Elders understand that life operates on duality. You can’t have up without down, in without out, good without bad. It's the way the world works; contrast defines us.

So, Mr. Trump, you have shown up to remind us of what truly matters. You are here to challenge us, to shake us out of our complacency and force us to confront what we've become too comfortable with.

In that way, you're playing the most pivotal role in stirring us awake. You are an incessant, disturbing reminder of the dualities we’ve ignored, the contradictions we’ve avoided.

And, whether we like it or not, Mr. Trump, you are doing us a favor by prompting us to reexamine our values. You have reminded, aroused, and awakened us to our true nature and what is most meaningful about being human.

WHY DUALITIES EXIST

Without dualities, there would be nothing. Life would be like staring at a blank canvas in a world without color—monochromatic, uniform, utterly lacking in definition.

Imagine a world where there’s no difference between joy and sorrow, no contrast between success and failure. That’s what a world without duality would be: static, colorless, and lifeless.

Duality gives our lives the richness they need. You can't understand wealth without poverty, health without sickness, or love without hate. Without these contrasts, we couldn’t evolve or grow. We couldn't have the clarity to understand ourselves or the world.

Loss makes us appreciate gain. Struggle builds strength. Loneliness gives us a deeper appreciation for companionship. These dualities exist because they help us deepen our awareness and see the bigger picture.

Through comparison, we understand the differences that define us. Trump, in all your complexities and contradictions, you are part of that picture. You embody the extremes we’ve been avoiding responding to, the contradictions we’ve refused to acknowledge.

But here’s the thing: that discomfort you create is necessary. It’s the spark we need to ignite real change. It forces us to examine our values and priorities and realign ourselves with what truly counts.

ROCKET FUEL FOR CONTEMPORARY ELDERS

Contemporary Elders have found themselves caught between this Autocratic and Independent duality. As Elders, we have had to reevaluate our beliefs like never before. We began to see ourselves inside this tension of this duality, not just who we thought we were, but who we were at the very core. You blew the doors open to our fundamental humanity.

We were forced to question what we honor, what we've taken for granted, and what holds real value in our lives. This realization was profound and transformative.

For Elders, this awakening shifted everything. It pushed us to take ownership of our actions, our values, and the choices we were making. It challenged us to strip away the illusions we’ve clung to, both personal and cultural. Self-deceptions fell away. The illusion that someone else was responsible departed.

Faced with this duality, we started recognizing when we acted out of fear rather than purpose. We noticed how we were responding to life's challenges, with either clarity and strength, or simply sticking to what was safe and easy. 

We Got There by Checking our Boxes. We noted that we were:

 [ ] Shifting the blame

 [ ] Passing the buck

 [ ] Evading accountability

 [ ] Disbelieving the obvious

 [ ] Renouncing any ownership

 [ ]  Abdicating responsibility

 [ ] Shifting the focus

Checking the boxes sparked a profound shift. No longer passive, Elders started actively choosing our path, guided by what matters most. The chaos and noise of the world no longer sweeping us helplessly along.

Elders are stepping into their truth, becoming fully aware of the power we hold. We’re not just observers anymore; we’re becoming the leaders. This whole Authoritative versus Autonomous tension has become our crucible, refining us, sharpening our sense of self, and strengthening us to take a stand. 

Elders are no longer afraid to confront the uncomfortable, to face our flaws, or to claim the wisdom we've earned. We’re emerging stronger, clearer, and more certain. We’re leading from a place of authenticity, no longer accepting the world as it is.

What started as a wake-up call is now a full-blown transformation. The discomfort that once challenged us is the fire fueling our evolution. We’re stepping into this new chapter with a deep sense of purpose, sharper wisdom, and a fierce commitment to guiding others through today's mess.

SO, THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP

You’ve unknowingly fueled the rise of the Contemporary Elder, giving us the growth hormone we needed to gain true relevance and recognition in today’s world.

In creating a culture of extremes, you’ve forced us to confront the core of our being, our most profound humanity. By sharpening the dualities that have always existed, you’ve made them more distinct, allowing us Elders to step forward with clarity, purpose, and power.

In this new landscape, Elders have the opportunity to lead from a place of wisdom and transformation—our higher selves emerging in the face of polarization.

We can’t thank you enough.

WHY SUBSCRIBE

Subscribing to Elder Wisdom means joining a movement that recognizes the unparalleled being of the Elder to shape a better future.

Your subscription helps amplify the mission of bringing elderhood into the cultural conversation, shifting your own and society’s views of aging from decline to growth, from contraction to liberation.

As a subscriber, you’re not just reading; you're learning. You’re becoming part of a community that honors the knowledge, experience, and vision that Elders bring.

Together, Elders can inspire meaningful change, create a legacy of wisdom, and demonstrate a profound impact Elders have on the world.

You have a choice about how you grow old. Growing old as an elder is a noble and inspiring path. Join me on the El Camino del Anciano, The Path of the Elder.