Dear President Trump, I've got several different running routes in my neighborhood and by design, most of them pass by one or more of the half dozen or so Buddha statues in this area. I like going by them because they are literal concrete reminders pointing towards kindness. I like being in the presence of … Continue reading Concrete reminders
Spiritual Practices
Liberal steamroller
Dear President Trump, Namaste. Some days it's really hard to trust there is a divine spark in absolutely everyone, but I'm going with the leap of faith that we all have this quality even if it's not discernible. Maybe some peoples' sparks get rusty and other's get caked over with mud and slime while still … Continue reading Liberal steamroller
Namaste
Dear President Trump, Namaste. I bow to the spark of the Divine in you. I had always thought "namaste" was a simple greeting, a basic "hello" in another language. I'm not sure how I missed it's real meaning all these years, what with all the Eastern religion and meditation books I've read, but there it … Continue reading Namaste
How do we navigate the tensions between history, present, and future?
Dear President Trump, The UCC church I attend is in downtown Seattle and we use an underground parking garage on Sunday mornings. To get to the main part of the church from the garage there is a long passageway that steadily slopes up to the stairwell and elevator. Along the left hand wall is a … Continue reading How do we navigate the tensions between history, present, and future?
“Prayer Changes Things”
Dear President Trump, Today is Laura's birthday and I so wish there would be a pleasant political surprise to make the day even more memorable for her. It's early yet so we'll see. Miracles do happen sometimes. This morning I saw a small hand-made sign that reads "Prayer Changes Things" on someone's front stoop. I've … Continue reading “Prayer Changes Things”
Tilting at the windmill of your presidency
Dear President Trump, Before I started sending you LKM blessings every day, I had joked with a couple of people about doing so, in part to see what it felt like to say it out loud and in part to gauge their reactions. I started with people who know how LKM is traditionally used because … Continue reading Tilting at the windmill of your presidency
Amazonian moths
Dear President Trump, I couldn't go to church this morning because I had to come to San Diego to give a presentation tomorrow. I've found myself kind of restless and unsettled all day, probably in part because of the talk tomorrow and not feeling quite solid about it yet, but also I think, because I … Continue reading Amazonian moths
Solace for all of us with Freds
Dear President Trump, During this Lenten season, my church's early service is pretty different for us. Instead of the word collages that form our usual hymns, readings, messages, blessings, we are invited to more simply be present with one another and our sense of God, quietly. When one of us would like the tangible support … Continue reading Solace for all of us with Freds
Listening for Lent
Dear President Trump, You may be aware that today is the first day of Lent, a time for reflection and taking stock so that one's attitudes and behaviors are better lined up with Jesus' messages and examples. The last several years I've worked on giving up righteous indignation for Lent but I decided that would … Continue reading Listening for Lent
Daily Trump Letters 