Wonderfully said. Learning to trust one’s own instincts is absolutely critical. When teaching my kids about navigating the world, I never told them not to speak to strangers, but I did tell them to pay attention to what they felt in their bellies because that was important information. One day, I was approached by a girl of about nine who had recently moved to the neighbourhood and couldn’t remember how to get home. It was a privilege to be a safe stranger for her and to walk her home. Vibes don’t lie; thanks for laying it out so thoughtfully.
I think there is a fear of change, especially among rural Albertans. Which leads to entrenching a strong need for no change.
Fear (and hate) is a powerful tool for a politician to use to manipulate people for their own agenda. Foment the fear and milk it. Find a target and tell people who they should blame. Obscure the agenda with grand charisma. Sound familiar?
Ask yourself, is DS promoting positivity and inclusion of all Canadians? Of all humans?
Arlene, thank you for this piece — it stayed with me. There’s a generosity in the way you write about charisma that made me pause and look inward. As I sat with your words, I found myself exploring a companion thought in my own writing.
You describe charisma as something that radiates outward from certain people, and I felt the truth in that. But I also kept thinking about the part we bring to the moment — the quiet longings and uncertainties that make us receptive. In that sense, charisma feels less like a spell someone casts and more like a permission we grant without noticing.
Your essay nudged me to reflect on that idea more deeply in something I wrote, not in disagreement but in conversation. I’m grateful for your piece — it made me look not just at the charismatic figure, but at the part of ourselves that meets them halfway.
Gary, I agree with you. What parts of ourselves do we need to bring into the light, for consideration, for healing, that make us susceptible. My hope for humanity is that become more fully embodied, be able to feel into our intuition, use our discernment, have complete inner authority. Then charisma can be acknowledged but we are not taken over by it.
This is the part that is itching at me. I read comments that Trump in the 70's was viewed as a twerp and annoying and transparently needy. It's the transition to what he is now. How did that happen and how do we break through to the millions under his charismatic spell?
Thank you. I feel your authenticity every time I read your posts, be it on Threads, FB or here. I needed to read this. As soon as I got to your paragraphs about Hitler, Jones and Trump I could feel my fists tightening, my teeth clenching, my heart pounding. I literally needed to go back to the beginning to feel that peace inside of me. You also have that Charisma. The peaceful fulfilling kind. Bless you for writing this.
Very nicely written Arlene, and very eductional. I know people who are under his spell and I don't get it. I don't trust anything he does. He has stabbed many of his followers in the back. To me, many of the things he does are disgraceful. He makes empty promises. But they still love him.
Wonderfully said. Learning to trust one’s own instincts is absolutely critical. When teaching my kids about navigating the world, I never told them not to speak to strangers, but I did tell them to pay attention to what they felt in their bellies because that was important information. One day, I was approached by a girl of about nine who had recently moved to the neighbourhood and couldn’t remember how to get home. It was a privilege to be a safe stranger for her and to walk her home. Vibes don’t lie; thanks for laying it out so thoughtfully.
You’re absolutely right Ji agree with you
Thanks for the reminder to trust my instincts, pause and reflect before acting. Beautifully written piece Arlene.
And Mark Carney has this unique kind of calm, serious with a dash of gentle humour charisma that asks me to look and think and be dependable.
Danielle Smith has evil charisma and a great smile. For some reason, rural Albertans are especially susceptible.
I think there is a fear of change, especially among rural Albertans. Which leads to entrenching a strong need for no change.
Fear (and hate) is a powerful tool for a politician to use to manipulate people for their own agenda. Foment the fear and milk it. Find a target and tell people who they should blame. Obscure the agenda with grand charisma. Sound familiar?
Ask yourself, is DS promoting positivity and inclusion of all Canadians? Of all humans?
She taps into the hate they feel.
Arlene, thank you for this piece — it stayed with me. There’s a generosity in the way you write about charisma that made me pause and look inward. As I sat with your words, I found myself exploring a companion thought in my own writing.
You describe charisma as something that radiates outward from certain people, and I felt the truth in that. But I also kept thinking about the part we bring to the moment — the quiet longings and uncertainties that make us receptive. In that sense, charisma feels less like a spell someone casts and more like a permission we grant without noticing.
Your essay nudged me to reflect on that idea more deeply in something I wrote, not in disagreement but in conversation. I’m grateful for your piece — it made me look not just at the charismatic figure, but at the part of ourselves that meets them halfway.
Gary, I agree with you. What parts of ourselves do we need to bring into the light, for consideration, for healing, that make us susceptible. My hope for humanity is that become more fully embodied, be able to feel into our intuition, use our discernment, have complete inner authority. Then charisma can be acknowledged but we are not taken over by it.
Thank you Brenda, I posted my own thoughts on this concept.
From the days Trump was on "The Apprentice" my instinct was to turn and run. In 2016 I still felt the same way. Nothing has changed.
This is the part that is itching at me. I read comments that Trump in the 70's was viewed as a twerp and annoying and transparently needy. It's the transition to what he is now. How did that happen and how do we break through to the millions under his charismatic spell?
Only one thing to say - you are so so smart.
I love reading your writings. Thank you! ❤️
Well said! I had never looked at Trump, Hitler or Jones as having charisma, but thank you. I am still learning an I am only 74 yet!
A fascinating analysis.
A few times in my life I have encountered and been friends with charismatic people who turned out to be less than what I thought they were.
Fortunately I have never been a “follower” and rebellion always stepped in when I realized I was just being manipulated.
Evil charisma is just that….manipulation of the worst kind of those who feel they have nothing to lose.
Thank you. I feel your authenticity every time I read your posts, be it on Threads, FB or here. I needed to read this. As soon as I got to your paragraphs about Hitler, Jones and Trump I could feel my fists tightening, my teeth clenching, my heart pounding. I literally needed to go back to the beginning to feel that peace inside of me. You also have that Charisma. The peaceful fulfilling kind. Bless you for writing this.
Every spidey sense I have has been going off since Danielle Smith’s Wildrose days, the corruption was almost written on her face. Yes, trust your gut.
It never fails to trust your « gut feeling » thank you Arlene I love your writing easy to understand.
Very nicely written Arlene, and very eductional. I know people who are under his spell and I don't get it. I don't trust anything he does. He has stabbed many of his followers in the back. To me, many of the things he does are disgraceful. He makes empty promises. But they still love him.
Excellent piece to encourage individual reflection.
I recall my Canadian grandmother telling me that she accepted that evil truly existed when she heard about Hitler speaking