From Ashes to Action: Healing the Scars of the First 100 Days
Listen to Kevin read this missive
In the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s presidency, the governing style that emerged was jarring in its intensity — resembling the age-old agricultural method of slash and burn. In farming, this tactic clears land quickly by cutting down vegetation and setting it ablaze. The result is short-term productivity followed by long-term devastation. The same can be said for Trump’s barrage of executive orders, policy reversals, and divisive rhetoric, which may seem effective in the moment but leave lasting damage in their wake.
Like the land left barren by slash and burn agriculture — called swidden -our political and social landscape has been scorched. The attacks on marginalized communities, environmental protections, international diplomacy, and even basic civility have left many of us disoriented and overwhelmed. That’s no accident. Chaos creates a vacuum for power. But we are not powerless.
What can we do to regenerate and rise from the effects of Trump’s slash and burn strategies?
The solution lies in an equally old practice — The Five Elements.
This East Asian system — comprised of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal — teaches us that all things are interconnected and cyclical. Each element can support (e.g. Wood fuels Fire) or restrain (e.g. Metal cuts Wood) another, and harmony arises when these forces are balanced.
Trump’s political strategy reveals an overabundance of Metal (cutting, control) and Fire (attention-seeking, destruction). Like a blacksmith’s forge, this combination can shape tools or cause a complete meltdown when misused. What we’re seeing now is that meltdown: frayed institutions, burnt-out civil servants, and disenfranchised communities.
But in the Supporting Cycle, Fire gives way to Earth. Ash becomes soil. And Earth, the element of care, community, and nourishment, generates the minerals that form new, stronger Metal.
Earth is what we need to move from ashes to action. We must root ourselves in practices that restore rather than react — ground ourselves in connection, kindness, and compassion.
So, what does this look like in real life? Here is one small thing you can do to manifest the healing energy of Earth.
CULTIVATE CARE — Get off social media and use the time to start spreading some love!
It’s deceptively simple, but incredibly powerful. Take a page from my son Rafael. He removed social media from his phone after realizing how much it was draining him. Instead, he used his previous scrolling time to text people in his contact list with messages of love and encouragement.
I followed suit — restricting my social media use and sending daily notes to people I care about. Here’s an example -
“I don’t know where you are in the world or what is confronting you but know that I’ve got your back and am sending love to you and yours — today and always.” — Kevin
The responses have been overwhelmingly heartwarming:
- “This made me smile HUGE! Love is coming back at you.” — Ed
- “You truly made my day.” — Akosua
- “Thank you! It’s small gestures like these that are so desperately needed.” — Berto
Imagine the ripple effect if we all did this. One kind act each day. One message of hope. One reminder that amidst the fires, we are still here. Still caring. Still connected.
Subscribe to my newsletter where I’ll be sharing more practices rooted in Earth to help us collectively heal and rebuild. Because no matter how much damage has been done, regeneration is possible.
Together, we can turn swidden into soil — and plant the seeds of a more compassionate future.
