We hear every year that the state of our union is strong.

We heard it again this week.

What do you think?

Does our union feel strong?

Does it feel like we are united in our efforts?

Here is how George Washington concluded the first
​State of the Union address back in 1790...

Let's try to harness that sense of
satisfaction from
cooperation...

We the People
are responsible
for improving the
State of our Union
 together.

Our nation is open for business again.
Hooray!

At least,
We're open for three weeks...

And then,
Who knows?

Let's not let this happen again.

Congress can pass an
 "automatic continuing resolution"
which makes sure government is funded,
even when our leaders can't agree on the budget.

There have been many attempts to do this over the years...
usually, right after a shutdown.
All have failed.

As you can imagine,
lawmakers disagree about how to do this...
or even if it's the best course of action...

But it would be something
that would make sure our nation stays
OPEN.

If you feel strongly about this,
let your representatives know!

We're working on a letter that you can
share with your friends
and send to your representatives. 

More on that next week...

In the meantime,
as we find our nation 
OPEN 
for business once again,
let's try  
to 
Keep our minds
OPEN
and
Keep our hearts
 OPEN
to each other.

What do you see in this picture?

Cat?
Dog?
Both?
Neither?

We all look at the world in our own unique way.

This week,
the internet exploded again
​over a viral video.
Liberals and Conservatives 
viewed the same input
and walked away with
completely different
interpretations.

This seems to happen often lately.

Let's challenge ourselves
to step back
and try to see the whole picture.

There are no easy answers
to the challenges
that face our nation...

But we can only begin
to find solutions
when we stop fighting
like cats and dogs
about whether we see
cats or dogs
and start trying to truly see
one another. 

We've now reached the
dubious distinction
of reaching
the longest government shutdown
in our nation's history.

And why?

 We're stuck on a wall.

A
WALL
is keeping us so
divided
that
we're not
functioning properly
as a nation.

However you feel about it,
Let's not let this wall divide us.

Let's look for ways to build bridges instead.

Here's a story to help us on our journey...

Old Joe and the Carpenter
adapted from a telling by Pleasant de Spain 
in Peace Tales: World Folktales to Talk About
by, Margaret Read MacDonald
​(used with permission)

Old Joe lived way out in the countryside.
He had one good neighbor.
They’d been friends and neighbors all their lives.

But for the first time in their long friendship,
they had an argument.
It was a silly argument. 
It was over a stray calf that neither one really needed. 
The calf was found on the neighbor's land
and so he claimed it as his own.
But Old Joe said,
"No, that calf has the same markings as my favorite cow
and I'm sure it's mine."

Well, they were both a bit stubborn, 
so they just stopped talking to each other.
And it seemed that a dark cloud had settled over Old Joe...
until there came a knock on his door.

He wasn’t expecting anyone that morning
​and as he opened the door, 
he saw standing before him a young man 
who had a box of tools on his shoulder.

The young man said, 
"I’m just a carpenter and I’m looking for a bit of work. 
Would you have some small jobs here and there
that I could help with? "

Old Joe said,
"I do have a job for you.
Look right there through my kitchen window.  
See that farm over there?
That’s my neighbor's place.
And you see that creek running
right between our property lines?
That creek wasn’t there last week.
My neighbor did that just to spite me!
He took his plow up there with the tractor 
and he dug a furrow from the upper pond 
and then he flooded it.
Well, I want you to do one better.
Since he wants us divided that way, 
you go out there and build me a fence--
a big, tall fence--
so I won’t even have to see his place."

And the carpenter said, 
"Well, if you have the lumber and the nails, 
I have my tools and I can do a job that you'll like."

Joe had to go into town, 
so he showed the carpenter 
where everything was in the barn.
The carpenter carried everything he needed
down to the creek and he started to work.

He did his measuring...
and his sawing... 
and his nailing...

It was about sunset
when Old Joe returned 
and the carpenter had already
finished his work. 

Old Joe's eyes opened wide and his mouth fell open...
because there wasn't a fence there at all. 

It was a bridge,
going from one side of the creek to the other!

It was a fine piece of work.

Old Joe saw his neighbor starting to cross
from the other side of that bridge 
with his hand stretched out in friendship.

His neighbor said,  
"Joe, you’re quite a fellow to build this bridge.
I would never have been able to do that.
I’m so glad we’re going to be friends again!"

Old Joe put his arms around his neighbor and said,
"Oh, that calf is yours. I’ve known it all the time.
I just want to be your friend, too."

The carpenter started putting his tools in the box
and then hoisted it up onto his shoulder.
As he started to walk away, Old Joe said,
"Now wait, come on back!  
We want you to stay.
My friend and I could find many projects for you." 

The carpenter just smiled and said, 
"I'd like to stay on, Joe, but you see, I can’t. 
​I have many more bridges to build." 

The partial government shutdown is getting real this week.

Our national parks are full of litter.

Our Smithsonian museums are closed to visitors.

Our scientists at NOAA and NASA are unable to carry out research.

Our food is not being checked by the FDA.

800,000 of our Federal employees
are not receiving their paychecks this week.

And yet,
Our TSA and our Coast Guard
continue to
report to work to keep us safe
without those paychecks.

All the while,
we're watching a
staring contest unfold.

Who will blink first?

Democrats or Republicans?

This drama is just another act in the 
"US vs. THEM" 
spectacle that has started to define our government.

The more important question is...

While everything around us is shutting-down,

How do
We the People
keep our hearts
and our minds
OPEN?

Let's make an effort to...

Reach out to help those in our communities 
​who are affected by the shutdown.

Let's continue to...

Keep Listening.

Keep Talking.

AND

Let's tell our representatives how we feel about the shutdown.

There are ways to FIX this process
so that the budget is never again
held hostage by partisan politics.

Let's tell Congress
that we expect 
our government to
stay open
for business...

And we expect
our representatives
to stay open
to finding common ground...
for the
​good of the nation.

Happy New Year!

It’s the time for New Year’s Resolutions…

Have you made any?

In addition to eating well
and getting more exercise, 
here are a few
Purple Resolutions 
you might consider adding
to your list for 2019…

Resolution # 1
LISTEN

Let's resolve to seek out different perspectives
and to listen mindfully,
with the goal of building empathy
and finding common ground.

Resolution # 2
BE KIND

Let's resolve to be kind
in our words and actions,
giving others the respect and care
that we would like to be given.

Resolution # 3
COMMUNICATE WITH CONGRESS

Let's resolve to let our congressional representatives
know where we’ve found common ground
and let's hold Congress accountable for taking
positive action for our country.

Perhaps if we all make these resolutions, 
we can leave the land of gridlock 
and government shutdowns... 
and create a truly new nation, 
ready to work together in
​2020!

​

Happy Holidays!

Whether you're traveling to visit loved ones
or keeping cozy in your own home,
we hope you are finding
joy and warmth
this holiday season!

As 2018 comes to a close,
let's take a moment to reflect on the year...

What conversations helped us see issues in a new way?
What steps have we taken to build bridges?
What purple points have we found with our neighbors?

Let's celebrate the common ground we've found
and think about next steps... 

There is plenty of work left for us in 2019!

​See you here @ Meet in the Middle next year...

There's a lot of hustle and bustle at this time of year.

People are searching high and low for the perfect gifts.

Yet the greatest gifts don't need wrapping.

We can give them freely each and every day.

What can we give each other?

The gift of
TIME
Take time out to have a
purple conversation.

The gift of 
LISTENING
Listen to others
with an open mind
and an open heart.

The gift of 
RESPECT
Make sure your words and actions
show respect for all.

The gift of 
CARE
Treat everyone with
kindness and care.

The gift of 
TRUST
Be honest with others about your opinions.
Speak your truth.

The gift of 
GRATITUDE
Thank those around you
 who challenge your thinking
and broaden your perspective.

The gift of 
FUN
Find ways to lighten the mood
when you're having difficult conversations.
​Take time to enjoy one another!

The gift of 
HOPE
One of the greatest gifts
we can give
each other is the
firm belief that
we will
make a difference together.

Let's remember,
throughout the year,
that we can continue
giving
to one another
and
to our country.

Let's remember to give...
The gift of 
PURPLE!

The holiday season is upon us and
delicious treats are everywhere...

Looking to burn extra calories?

Looking to find common ground?

Why not combine your efforts and try a
Purple Living Room Project
 WALK and TALK?!?

1.
Grab a friend.
2.
Choose a route.
3.
Choose a topic.
4.
Walk!
5.
Talk!
6. 
Listen.
7.
Find Purple Points.
8.
Repeat.

It's just that simple.

Take a moment this holiday season to
connect with a friend
and look for common ground.

It's a perfect way to
stay healthy,
reduce holiday stress,
and 
heal our nation.

What could be better?

Try a Walk and Talk...

Let's move our country forward 
while
moving forward together!
​