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I Have A Secret

1/23/2017

18 Comments

 
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It shouldn’t even be a secret. It should be easy for me or anyone to share something like this with you. Except it isn’t.

Here’s my secret…

I voted for Donald J. Trump. And I’ve been really afraid to tell you. I’m afraid because I’ve heard the shouting. Witnessed the name calling. Seen how Trump voters are being lumped into groups and judged unfairly. 

Recently, the shouting has gotten louder. The name calling has gotten worse. The blame is endless and dire predictions continue.

Who did you vote for - Hillary? A third party candidate? Maybe you decided not to vote at all. We had choices, and our choice didn't (and doesn’t) make us bad or wrong or stupid. We just look at this part of life differently.  

However, many won't tolerate a viewpoint different than their own. That's why I continued to hide. Trump voters had to hide and had to whisper or we would be shouted down, called names, and bullied. 

I’ve been hiding since September, when I decided to vote for Trump. My decision was whispered to very few people and usually only after someone told me that they were voting for Trump. It certainly wasn't something to be discussed out loud. I couldn’t sit in a restaurant and say in a conversational tone, “I’m voting for Donald Trump.”

Post-election, in December, I was lunching with an attorney friend and he whispered to me that he had voted for Trump. I whispered back, “I did too.” And then I said, “Why are we whispering?” We talked about how we still felt like we had to keep it to ourselves - it was our secret.

People I considered to be thought leaders showed their bias post election. It was shocking to read and hear what these “thought leaders” wrote after the election results were in:  How shameful this result is. How no one saw it coming. That the sky is falling. “How could this happen??”, they cried.

Maybe no one saw it coming because they only saw what they wanted to see. They only heard what they wanted to hear. They refused to believe people could think differently than they do and still be loving and compassionate.

As I look up, the sky is still in place. The United States is still filled with kind-hearted, loving people.

The shouting is still here, too. And the name calling: people who voted for Trump are uneducated, racists, homophobes, misogynists… these are only a few of the ugly references.

I’m none of those things. I just think about things differently. I think about different issues, and I think about issues differently. After much consideration, I decided to vote for Donald Trump. 

And that doesn’t make me bad or wrong or stupid. It means I voted for a different candidate than you did. 

I'm still human.

Before writing this, I asked very dear (liberal) friends to share a sentence or two stating how they would describe me to someone who didn't know me. Following are a few of the words they used:  compassionate, smart, calm, spiritual, loyal, supportive, adventurous, fearless, vivacious and with a heart of gold. 

Do these descriptors no longer apply?

Maybe you'll decide to end our friendship because of what I’ve shared here. Or you’ll no longer be interested in what I say or what I write. Our differences will suddenly be too much for you.

When I stopped drinking alcohol, I knew friendships would change and some could end. By writing about my choice for President (which I’ve found to be much more difficult than writing about sobriety), perhaps friendships will change or end. Yet I’m compelled to write this because, in keeping this secret, I have not been true to myself.

Mitchell Lee Marks recently wrote an essay in The Wall Street Journal entitled Coming Out For Trump. In it, he wrote “[t]his may be hard for some to believe, but watching protesters today call Trump supporters racists and bigots has been nearly as distressing as being told to “die in hell, faggot” 30 years ago. 

I can identify with that feeling of distress. That feeling helped me write this. It hurts me when you shout in my face, categorize me, and tell me I’m promoting hate. 

Hopefully what I wrote will be a catalyst for conversations between people with differing opinions. I am optimistic.

I am optimistic, too, that you will give Donald Trump a chance.

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©Catherine Borowski 2017
www.celebratingwealth.com

18 Comments
Fuad
1/23/2017 11:01:47

If my opinion is opposite than yours it does not mean I am wrong and you are correct ,it means this is how I think from my own perspectives and that is how you do think ,, Trump may be is not the best candidate also he is not fate from God we chose him ,,it is experience we have to explore and discover and define ourselves,, may be it is good thing to see where are we going from here ,,and how we can drew the map of the future .. we had worse than him as president,, they are gone and the American people remains..with their big heart and generosity ,, and references,,Who said we have to think the same ? I voted for him and do not like him but had no choice my other choice was not even a choice..

Reply
Catherine
1/23/2017 17:13:22

Thank you for your comment, Fuad.

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custom essay writing service link
7/3/2017 11:27:07

This insight is truly surprising. Secrets are something important. We hide the truth not because we are shameful. We hide the truth because we are afraid that people would judge us as what they see. We are humans and we build our own decisions. It is a matter of free will. To Catherine, your post inspire me more. You are a great example to all.

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Catherine
8/29/2017 17:19:45

THANK YOU for this post! We do hide because we are afraid of the judgment of others. People think there is security in going along with the crowd, but if you're not following what is in your heart, then you are giving pieces of yourself away and eventually it will take its toll. Thank you again.

Kate Miller
1/23/2017 12:36:51

Right on, Catherine. Sadly, I've had the same experience. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Kate

Reply
Catherine
1/23/2017 17:17:16

Sorry to learn you've experienced the same, Kate.
It was scary to share my thoughts, but now I feel relief. I'd kept them hidden for too long.

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Icarus link
1/24/2017 15:54:29

Well, what do you think of President Trump so far? Are you okay with all his cabinet and other appointments and nominees?

How do you feel about the executive orders he's signed? His tweeting? He's relationship with the press? His alternative facts? What has he done that has made you feel you made the right choice? Has he done anything that has given you pause?

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Catherine
1/24/2017 21:59:27

He has been in office 106 hours, and I am optimistic.

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Jenny Lee Coaching link
1/24/2017 16:42:28

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I was beginning to think I was the only Women's Personal Success Coach who voted for Trump. And I still fear letting people know because of the potential backlash it could have on my business (which is new and small, but determined to thrive!) It makes my heart sing knowing I'm not the only one.
XOXO

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Catherine
1/24/2017 21:49:02

Hi Jenny, thanks for reaching out - you are not alone! Cheers to you and wishing you success in your coaching business!

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Sandi
1/24/2017 17:39:24

Catherine, I so appreciate that you spoke out... I know the feeling as I have experienced it with my liberal friends as well, and I have found myself silenced because there is no open dialogue, no straying from the talking points that anyone who voted for Trump is all of those horrible things...

You know who saw this coming? WE DID. Those of us who silently accepted the election results of the last 8 years. Those of us who -- not for reasons of race or lack of tolerance or any of the other nasty labels we've been given -- have differed in their opinion and view of the direction the former administration took this country.

Do I think President Trump is perfect? No. Do I think he will make all of the "right" decisions (according to me, or anyone else who voted him in)? No.

Do I think President Trump truly cares about this country? And I mean EVERYONE in this country... Yes. Do I think that President Trump's first concern is to protect our nation? Yes.

Do I think it's only fair for everyone to give the man a chance? ABSOLUTELY.

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Catherine
1/24/2017 21:55:12

Thanks for your comment, Sandi.

When Obama was re-elected I was sad and actually shed a few tears. I didn't understand why people would choose to continue on the path of the previous four years.. but I didn't say 'he's not my President.' I never berated those (many friends) who voted for him. I didn't shout or protest.

And here we are, four years later. I'm with you: give our new President a chance.

Reply
Karen
1/24/2017 17:56:37

I was pretty sure you were a Trump voter but chose not to talk about it with you. I know neither of us can change each other's political leanings. I care for you deeply and want to maintain our friendship.

Knowing your intelligence and compassion, it baffles me that you could support a man that I see as wholly unqualified to sit in the Oval Office. He actually frightens me greatly and I've shed tears about him being in such a position of power. I sincerely hope that I'm misguided and my fears are not realized. I also hope you have empathy for those of us who feel this way.

With love...





Reply
Catherine
1/24/2017 21:57:59

Karen, thank you for reaching out. I absolutely understand that you feel that way and love you tons, and you are my friend for life - an election will not change that.

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daniel leavy link
1/24/2017 23:23:50

I believe that MOST people vote on their assessment of the candidate' personality, and NOT their policies. Trump was as ass-hat in some ways, but Killiary was an out right LIAR. She jeopardized our national security, and called it "not an issue". I am glad you spoke your mind! DanielLeavy

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Catherine
1/25/2017 10:10:46

Thanks, Daniel. Really appreciate your comment. I'm glad I spoke my mind, too.

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Stephanie
1/27/2017 06:38:28

Well said. Thank you for sharing!

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Catherine
1/27/2017 07:50:47

Thanks Stephanie. And, you're welcome!

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    Celebrating Wealth®
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    Catherine Borowski, life coach, knows that life can be messy. And it's through the mess that beauty emerges in the most unexpectedly brilliant ways.
    It takes guts and courage to go there.
    ​You have it in you.


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