The Trap of Self-Consistency
Self-consistency is like a tattoo — it may seem noble, but it can become a chain in the future.
We tend to see people who maintain consistency as “safe,” “reliable,” or “principled.”
But when the impression of being consistent starts dictating one’s thoughts and actions, it becomes a trap.
This trap creates a paradox: we keep choosing the present to justify our past, at the cost of our future.
Forgiveness as Strategic Evolution
We often believe that past choices determine what we can forgive in the future.
Let’s visualize this with a matrix that reflects our choices from the past to the present:
|
Forgave in the past |
Can forgive now |
Can’t forgive now |
|
Yes |
❌ I forgave, and I can forgive. |
❌ I forgave, but I can’t forgive. |
|
No |
❌ I didn’t forgive, but I can now. |
✅ I didn’t forgive, and I can’t forgive. |
If we choose the ✅ cell (bottom right), our desire for consistency will likely lead us to make the same choice in the future. That leads to this second matrix:
|
Can forgive now |
Will forgive in future |
Will not forgive |
|
Yes |
❌ I can, and I will. |
❌ I can, but I won’t. |
|
No |
🔺 I can’t, but I will. |
✅ or 🔺 I can’t, and I won’t. |
In this model, forgiveness frees us from the chain of our past decisions.
To evolve strategically, especially on the global stage, we must allow ourselves the possibility of forgiveness — not only toward others but also toward our former selves.
Trump as a Disruptive Function
President Trump represents more than a political figure.
He acts as a disruptive function — breaking the self-consistent identity that America has built over decades.
By doing so, he opens the door to redefining what it means for America to play a role in the world.
Disruption is painful, but it also creates opportunities for reconstruction.
The Role of the World
The rest of the world must learn to accept America's current choices without expecting immediate perfection or coherence.
Rather than judging, we can create a common platform for acceptance and cooperation, where the future strength of America can be supported — not resisted.
Conclusion
True strength is not about being always right.
It’s about standing firm while holding contradictions — and still choosing to grow.
Afterthoughts
The word “contradiction” in Chinese characters (矛盾) is made of two symbols:
矛 (spear) and 盾 (shield).
If you focus only on the spear, you have the strongest attack.
If you focus only on the shield, you have the best defense.
But true power lies in holding both at once — embracing contradiction not as a flaw, but as a form of strategic completeness.