The tragic story of Trump
Trump's story is one of tragedy, an influential yet heartless leader who has turned American society into divisions and crises. His leadership decisions are part of the reason that millions of people have lost their jobs, and more than 200,000 people died of COVID in the United States. His ignorance caused millions of Americans to suffer, and it also caused him to contract COVID and be hospitalized for treatment.
But before I criticize Trump, I ask myself: Am I living in my own tragic story without even knowing?
My own ignorance
I'm a son of Adam, who ate the forbidden fruit in the Eden. It gives me self-awareness but also makes me a sinful person. I am a greedy, selfish person who only cares about myself and make others suffer. And I think the only way to understand myself is to face these sins directly.
How am I destroying the surrounding?
My most visible act of social destruction is consumerism. I don't cook often so I usually buy processed food in convenience stores. It will be a little more convenient for me, but this action generates a giant plastic waste. I am even more guilty because I already know about plastic waste's effects but still use it every day. Last year, I reported a person named Hung Lekima, who journeyed along the coast from South to North Vietnam to take pictures of the horrors of plastic waste dumping into the sea. I accompanied him on a journey to Nam Du Island to witness first-hand the terrible effects of plastic waste on the environment and our children (video). When I have all this knowledge and experience, I should be conscious of reducing my plastic waste consumption as well as educating others about it; otherwise, I am just an idiot, just speaking and not daring to act.
How heartless am I?
I am a heartless person in my relationship - to my mother, to my sister, to my father, and many people who used to be my friends. They are all people who care deeply about me, but I don't respond with gratitude.
With my mother, I was not around and comforted her when grandmother passed away. With my sister, I rarely spend time and talk to her like a brother. With my father, I don't communicate with him because of my childhood trauma. I ran away from family because of my own fears, even though I know that my precious time left with my family may end at any moment. And I've hurt one of mine ex-lover, I left him right after we were temporarily separated, causing him to suffer from severe depression. I hurt many of my old friends and colleagues who always help me, but when I go to a new environment, I leave them alone and don't keep in touch.
How did I waste my life?
I'm 27 years old this year, but I lived by ignorance most of the time. I find myself wasting most of my time on games, the internet, and unconscious behaviors like watching porn, thinking about my suffering but not seeking to resolve the problem. By the time I died, would I have the courage to confront myself about my failure not to appreciate this precious opportunity to live?
Confession and understanding
I think a man is a combination of nobility and sin. And to become a better person, I need to face and accept the evil inside of me. Hopefully, by practicing daily confession to God, it helps me realize the right thing to do and become a better person.
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