We live in a world full of a large array of vastly different people. Now, I'm not talking about the difference between you and the resident of a Third World country. I'm talking about the differences you can find between you and your neighbor - or even someone in your own household.
I think sometimes we focus more on these differences than the things we have in common. Strife is often a result of looking at differences rather than similarities.
My vocation affords me the opportunity to talk to many different people each day. I also get to travel and provide continuing education for others in my industry. One thing I have noticed is that the person I am communicating with or the group I am lecturing to all respond favorably when I mention things we have in common. We all do it. Why else would we talk about the weather with an absolute stranger? Weather is the one thing we all have in common.
Can you imagine what it would be like if we focused more on our common ground and less on our differences when it comes to anything from politics to sports? What Democrat or Republican doesn't want the same thing - a better America? We just can't agree on the road to travel to get there. What if a conversation between two adversaries began like this:
Democrat: "Do you ever get the feeling like your car is still moving when you pull into a parking space at the mall and put your car in park right as the car next to you is backing out?"
Republican: "Yeah! I can't tell you how many times I have slammed my brake to the floor board thinking I have to stop my car."
There are so many things in our lives we have in common that we can talk about. For example, who hasn't banged the TV remote on their hand or coffee table trying to get every last drop of juice out of the batteries? Even further, have you tried "throwing" the signal or pressing extra hard on the remote buttons? Then, there are a few of us who will actually get up and walk closer to the TV with the remote until we can finally get the channel to change.
Perhaps we could all take some time and focus on our similarities this week. Maybe focusing on the common ground rather than our differences could make the world a better place to live in. Heck, if this works I think I might run for office with my own party. I'll call it the Weather Party. My name is Kevin Harrison and I approve this article.
