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Enjoying those you disagree with

Greatness befriends its enemy.

Common Ground USA has two purposes, and one of them is NOT conforming to any ideology or assuaging our passions. It is NOT about ending disagreement. Rather, IT IS about increasing our capacity for disagreement. IT IS about enjoying said diversity. IT IS about how the root of progress is found within conversation planted in the common ground of our vast similarities.

We mustn’t confuse the two forms of unity; conformity & diversity. One is simple, one is complex. One is easy, the other vast. One demands bravery the other is mastered in slumber. We each get to pick. It is up to us.

Finding this common ground is worth the work. Whatever it takes.

Our society simply pays lip service to tolerance. It is up to us to go beyond the shallow pursuit of mere tolerance towards a higher maturity that befriends our perceived opposition. Rather than being singularly focused, might we take in the breadth of agreement?

Maturity is the ability to bring others along with us. Only in increased maturity might we possess the grace and wisdom to meet people uniquely where they are. It is this ever-deepening maturity that I seek.

No one can force us to be the change in the world we want to see. It is up to us.

A vast majority of our news stations, politicians, celebrities, universities, etc. have never and will likely never lead us in this noble direction.

I have many friends with whom I disagree on many topics, I could not enjoy them more. It is my wish to be better at it, expand it, and encourage others of its importance.

Common ground is about creating an environment that gives your ideas the best chance to be adopted by the widest and most diverse set of people, all while providing the broadest avenue in which to experience how our own ideas need honing or changing.

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