On one side people believe that Donald Trump is the answer to everything, while others believe he will destroy everything. To understand this, let’s take a step backward.

Even though we may have different ideas on how to solve our issues, we are all very similar; we’re fearful about our future and view Trump as either a savior or a destroyer.

What is making us so afraid?

The key point here is that our fear is amplified because of the unprecedented turmoil in our world. We are literally raping the earth’s resources, with consequences that no one understands and everyone fears.  Our environment is shifting in dramatic and scary ways, and whether the changes are manmade or not, they are frightening.

Our population is exploding and may overwhelm our resources. Rising political powers in different parts of the world are creating conflicts and dangers that can move quickly in unpredictable and unprecedented ways. Moreover, the turmoil brewing in many parts of the world is seeping through our borders, making matters much more tenuous than they already were.

Technology has permeated every aspect of our society and despite the huge benefits, the resulting risks and dangers are terrifying. Even our huge financial infrastructures are as fragile as a house of cards, as we have already experienced.

We fear new deadly diseases, or re-emergence of old diseases, either of which can spread rapidly and have devastating effects. There is the fear of fanaticism and terrorism, with people holding very different opinions about what is right and what is wrong. Whether those opinions are based on race, religion, geography, economic status, sexual orientation or political differences, all sides feel strongly that it is not fair to them, and that something must be done to makes changes that match their point of view.

All of these threats are moving faster and faster, with less and less control

When we start to see these threats affecting our loved ones, including our children, through violence or mental illness, it makes us even more hypersensitive.

Every twist and turn is like a sudden shriek or thump in a scary movie that keeps us on the edge of our seats. We startle to the point of exhaustion and anger, wondering if we will ever be able to navigate our way safely through these dangerous waters.

So when Trump is as definitive and extreme as he is, right or wrong, people react strongly.

In other words, we are not turning against each other because of Trump, but because of extreme fear and uncertainty about our future.

It helps to remember that we are all on the same side

We all want the world to be a safe place. We all want to live with dignity and respect and provide for our families. We want to be able to control our immediate environment, with opportunities for growth and prosperity. We want to be able to dream and achieve our goals.

But how can we achieve any of these things in the face of the fear and mistrust that is so prevalent in this age?

Let’s stop thinking of each other as the enemy.

I have found that when I trust that we will eventually find the best way forward from these trying times (even if the solution is completely different from what I would have chosen), only then can I let go of my fear and anxiety.

Otherwise, my fear and anxiety will make me react in irrational ways that harm the process and jeopardize the outcome.

Let’s allow the people in charge to work it out and let us accept whatever outcome results, without reacting (or overreacting) to every bit of news and every twist and turn of what is said. The bigger the issues, the bigger the lessons learned in the end. And as in any dispute, matters resolve only after honest communication, resulting in a better understanding of each other’s’ perspective and how to move forward in harmony.

We can harness our ingenuity and enrich our own lives by embracing our diversity rather than by judging the ‘other side’ as being ignorant or misguided.

So, why not express your view as passionately as you want, and vote with your heart, then let it go and trust the process without judgment, fear or animosity?