Today I am going to begin by defining both of those words, or phrases, because I think we all need to hear and think about their meanings. Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary defines common sense as “sound prudent judgement, the unreflective opinions of ordinary men” and compromise as “the process or a result of settlement by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions, something blending the characteristics of two others, a committal to something prejudicial, to bind by mutual agreement, to adjust or settle by mutual concessions”. I bring these words up as I watch a nation so willing to throw them both out a window. A nation picking sides, and each side saying the other side is made of bullies, and not recognizing so isn’t theirs.
Are we not all forgetting the reason many came to this nation, or emulated it, or parts of it. It is because a long time ago a group of men, took their opinions, their anger, their disdain, and put it aside. They looked into themselves and recognized they were but ants in a world we may never know everything about. They realized there had to be something more. In that spirit, and with an attempt at morality in their heart, and a fear that if they made wrong decisions there would be painful consequences, they began to build a nation. Somehow, they found a way to compromise and set a foundation for the rest of us. Sad truth, many do not even know what that foundation is, as they choose not to learn for themselves. Many have listened to the beliefs of others and trusted in their guidance. This foundation may not be perfect and it is complex. Even with it, choices and actions, have been far from perfect. But, the foundation becomes even more imperfect and complex when the pendulum swings to the extremes and laws are created to benefit the some at the expense of the others. Shouldn’t we be willing to share the benefits and the expense?
I sit here today thinking about a time when my mother took a sister of mine, who I used to fight with constantly, and sat her and I knee to knee in chairs. She forced us to sit there and look at each other without speaking, without movement. The anger and hate, the two of us wanting to force our wills on the other, was so palpable, as they say, you could have cut it with a knife. Life, however, is funny in how it teaches us lessons to learn about ourselves and each other. Through those lessons, my sister and I, have learned to be a little more like each other. Now we together, love at such depths, we join to try to bring beauty, love, and light into this world. Oh evil does exist in each one of us, so we both fail at times, that is a given. We are humans, we are made to fail and to have loss, and we are also made to succeed and have gain. The issue is finding balance in it all, finding common sense and compromise in it all. For if I succeed too greatly, then someone suffers greatly, and vice versa. It is that way with all things in life.
What are the answers, I know I definitely do not have them all, and am unsure if any one of us does really. I believe, and am of the same cloth, as those that say we have big problems, that need big discussions, and maybe bigger solutions. I just wonder which generation is going to be like our founders, which generation will find a way to common sense and compromise. I continue to look back to the founders and why they came to the conclusions they came to. I look back at their arguments, disagreements, and compromises. I try to view where they came from and why they would decide what they decided. I respect their framework and the need for it. I was hoping it would be my generation to stand, I just am not sure anymore. I will repeat the words said in many songs, in many books, in many forms “Don’t you think it is time”. Don’t you think it is time again for common sense and compromise? I do. That is why I am here wanting to know your truth and wanting you to know mine. So that we can find a way to live and balance in the middle.