Beyond Right and Wrong: A Deeper Purpose in Polarized Times

Part 2—Beyond Right and Wrong: A Deeper Purpose in Polarized Times

In my last blog post, I wrote about a surprising and uncomfortable encounter I had at the No Kings Day protest. Dressed as a clown—a personal act of joyful expression and symbolic resistance—I was approached by a young Trump supporter who asked to interview me. I said yes. And what unfolded became an unexpected mirror, reflecting parts of myself I hadn’t planned on meeting that day.

That first post explored the inner storm that followed—the self-doubt, the self-judgment, the shame that I hadn’t “done better” or known enough political history to “win” the interview. I felt exposed. But more deeply, I felt like I had missed a deeper opportunity—not to outwit him, but to join with him.

This post picks up where the last one left off. Because what I’m seeing now is much more than just a missed opportunity. I’m now seeing it as an invitation. One that’s still unfolding.

What I Wish I’d Done Differently (And Why It Matters)

If I could go back to that moment—when a stranger with a video camera asked to interview me—I wouldn’t try to have sharper facts. I wouldn’t try to debate better or defend myself more persuasively. Instead, I’d try to stay grounded in my purpose. And my purpose isn’t to win arguments. It’s to embody peace.

That doesn’t mean abandoning my values. It means choosing to prioritize connection over control, joining over judgment, and healing over ego. I would have loved to respond the way I might with a client I my private practice—by staying present, open, curious. By not biting the hook of “who’s right” and instead gently wondering, What’s hurting here? What’s the fear beneath the fight?

I don’t actually believe in the binary of good versus bad people. I do believe there’s such a thing as humane and inhumane behavior. But even when someone’s behavior feels threatening or cruel, I also believe that everyone is doing the best they can with the consciousness they have access to in that moment. That’s not an excuse. It’s a shift in perception that lends itself to the possibility of seeing with greater compassion.

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.”
— Rumi

That field isn’t a fantasy or a place to spiritually bypass real injustice. It’s a state of awareness where we begin to see differently—where love, not fear, becomes the frame through which we perceive the world. And from that place, our actions, our protests, our resistance—even our political stances—become more grounded, more compassionate, and more clear.

Yes, Speak Up—But Know Why You’re Speaking

Let me be clear: I still believe it’s important to show up, speak out, and participate. I’ll keep standing for justice, for truth, and for decency in the public arena. I’m not using love as a reason to withdraw or pretend everything’s okay when it’s not.

But if I only stop there—if I only speak out or take action on the surface level—I miss something deeper. The real source of our suffering or our peace isn’t just what’s happening around us. It’s how we’re relating to it. The real divide isn’t just out in the world—it’s also inside us, in the way our minds separate “us” from “them,” right from wrong, good from bad. Real healing begins when we recognize that, and start working with what’s going on within.

So yes, protest. Yes, vote. Yes, have hard conversations. But ask yourself: Am I doing this to be right, or am I doing this to join?

What Joining Looks Like (When It’s Hard)

This idea of “joining” can sound lovely in theory—and impossible in practice. So, what does it actually look like?

It looks like pausing long enough to notice your own reactivity before you speak.
It looks like staying curious when someone says something you deeply disagree with.
It looks like feeling the contraction in your body, the part of you that wants to fight or flee—and choosing instead to breathe, soften, and listen.
It looks like asking someone, “What matters to you about this?” rather than jumping into why they’re wrong.
It looks like remembering, This person is not the enemy. The ego’s thought system is.

It’s not about tolerating abuse or suppressing your truth. It’s about creating space for something more real to emerge. And sometimes, that space begins inside you—when you stop blaming yourself for not being perfect, or not knowing everything, or not responding “the right way.”

A Higher Purpose, A Shared Field

The more I reflect, the more I recognize that my encounter with that young man was a sacred one. Not because it felt good—it didn’t. But because it cracked something open in me. It revealed how quickly I still fall into guilt, how easily I forget my own center, and how profoundly I long to live from a deeper knowing.

That knowing tells me that healing happens in the joining. That our task, while we walk this polarized earth, is not just to choose sides—but to remember that beneath the sides, there is a shared humanity. A shared innocence. A shared Self.

So, if I could do it over, I’d still let him interview me. But I’d do it with more breath in my body. More ease in my shoulders. More curiosity in my eyes. And I’d ask—not to trap or convince him—but to truly meet him. In that field. The one beyond right and wrong. The one where we remember what we’re really here for.

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If my writing resonates with you and you’re seeking support, I’d be honored to share this journey with you.

As a holistic mental health practitioner and life coach, I offer virtual sessions worldwide. Whether you’re breaking free from anxiety, navigating a life transition, healing a relationship, or stepping into a deeper sense of purpose, I invite you to step into a space of deep transformation—one where you’ll not only create lasting change but also discover a truer, more empowered version of yourself.

If you’re ready to explore what it means to show up fully in your life, let’s connect. To book a FREE 20-minute Discovery Call, click HERE.

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Note about my use of AI in my writing: I consider myself a thoughtful writer—but not a perfect one. I care deeply about expressing ideas clearly, powerfully, and in service of healing. To help me do that, I use AI as a kind of editor-in-chief. I feed it my insights, stories, and perspective as fully and descriptively as I can, and I ask it to support me in shaping the message with clarity and impact. Every post you read is still my heart, my voice, and my intention—it’s just supported by a digital co-creator who helps me bring the message home.

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• #HealingTheDivide

• #ConsciousActivism

• #SpiritualResistance

• #BeyondRightAndWrong