Your Standard, Your Line

Many have been on the move to, not just bend, but to break from values.
As they re-define and re-interpret.
Attempting to re-wire the circuits.
So that values will seemingly support what they choose to say and do.
Instead of making choices that align with values.
Imagine having faith because of your belief in conspiracies.
Hope, because you place your trust in lies.
And your charity is to those who stand against the ones you despise.

If it is as some believe.
That Jesus is at the wheel of “Stop the Steal”.
Then we have to keep all of it real.
That Jesus too is behind that cancerous growth.
All of the heartbreaks and whatever hurts.
We can’t pick and choose how evil and goodness work.
That’s the kind of use and abuse that gives religion and the religious a bad name.
Not based in faith but convenience to feel better, more worthy and to be able to dictate.
Some have decided – no need to wait for judgment day.
Their “faith” gives them the Right to impose to their way.

As people engage in and support such tricks.
They are the ones who likely will be kicked to the curb.
As we’ve seen and heard –
For Trump and the GOP, loyalty is a one way street.
And their gives are often limited.
So their supporters could be in for a slip.

Maya Angelou talked about doing better once we know better.
But that was meant as encouragement to those who feel regret, remorse or want to change course.
But today we are dealing with beasts of a different sort.
Ones who don’t want to know.
It’s to their interest to have the conspiracy theories and lies grow.
Evil is as evil does.
Getting stronger among US.
As we let our bias, anger and fears shift our attentions elsewhere.
We miss the boats being sent to keep US afloat.

Because for some, staying blind is a choice.
That way they won’t have to be tied to truth any more.
From the separation trial to an all-out divorce.
So they can marry into the family of Trump.
That says a lot – as they think it’s a step up.
But often when you have to do such a hard sell to convince yourself and others.
It’s you who are or will be troubled.

If a mountain stands in our way.
It would be insane to just wish it away.
The solution will be to make a path around or through.
Either way, there will be a lot of work to do.
And you would likely need the cooperation of those around too.
But people choose to lie their way out.
Change it all with a thought.
You can’t fake faith, force hope or politicize love.
No more than you can negotiate truth.
Hiding from truth does not make it go away.
Once it surfaces, it stays.
Consequence and impact will still shine through.
You can try to bury that too.
But facts don’t change.
It’s only opinions, beliefs and perceptions that we have the ability to rearrange.

Trump and his minions don’t experience dissonance from what they do.
It’s from what others choose to make them lose.
Narcissists and abusers fight with all their might for their Rights.
They surround themselves with yeah-sayers and worshippers.
Not critical thinkers.
Once you’re into worshipping, you’re in.
But if that ends, they reject, even to the point of death-threats.
Yet people go back for more.
In and out the revolving door.

We make assumptions and judgments as humans we do.
Growth of biases and stereotypes are part of being human too.
But how we permit their mix, guides the way that we tick.
And determines our human-ness.
If we continue to allow cruel to our repertoire it diminishes parts of who we are.
The image and likeness people are choosing to be molded to.
Will be difficult to undo.
It becomes an undesirable variant.
No longer toward the benevolent experience.
And as individuals we often think of our impact as small.
Questioning if there is any at all.
When in truth we are always part of a group.
Which then has the effect of a collective move.
We can’t be responsible for what others do.
But we must recognize how we contribute to what comes.
And that there is never really a no-count.
Because even if we choose not to do, that’s a choice too.
Likely adding to the status quo.
By not stopping something you’re giving it steam to go.
And it could be a blessing sent or a dangerous bend.

When you’re not honest with yourself.
It’s easier to accept dishonesty from someone else.
And if with what you say and do, your stance is with truth.
Staying true to you –
Why would you feel pressed to accept less from someone else?
You shouldn’t sink so low if your aim is high.
For your standards, you control the line.