Current Issue -

Finding Common Ground

By Aryn Henning Nichols | Winter 2025-26

What can we do, right now?

It’s people’s differences that make this world a beautiful, complex, fascinating place. They can also make us feel isolated and angry. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a time where it felt like, as a society, we were more divided. Every issue feels like a polarizing issue, every disagreement an insurmountable wall.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

There are more than eight billion humans living on this planet, all connected through our shared humanity. There are 23 pairs of chromosomes in the human genome. Between 1990 and 2003, all 23 pairs were fully sequenced through an international research project, the Human Genome Project (genome.gov). According to their findings, the DNA of any two human beings is 99.9 percent identical. The complexity of our DNA means that .1 percent attributes to all of our differences (whoa).

We get so worked up about those differences, we often fail to recognize just how much we have in common. 

Beyond our DNA, we share the same needs within a society. Remember Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? Here’s a quick recap. This psychological theory says that all require, generally in this order of priority:

Survival – basic biological requirements to live: air, food, water, warmth, shelter.

Safety – security:  personal safety, financial security, health, and a secure environment.

Love and Belonging – human connection and a sense of belonging, potentially through friendship, family, or romantic relationships.

Esteem – self-respect, respect from others, or a sense of accomplishment.

Self-Actualization – desire to achieve one’s potential and live a meaningful life.

That means we are all just trying to first, survive, and second, find a bit of happiness. 

Of course, we won’t all want the same things, but I believe that if the things that make you happy do not hurt anyone else, you should be able to do them. The same goes for someone else. 

My hope is that we will all spend some time trying to better understand each other this holiday season, this next year, and beyond, and that we will all try to approach each other with patience, empathy, compassion.

Because when we realize all that we have in common, we are much more likely to band together. And the power of the people is strong AF. Eight billion of us. Gosh, even just a fraction of that number, working together, would be astounding. Think of all the good we could accomplish! Let’s do it, friends.

Cheers to a New Year filled with common ground. We’ve got this.

XOXO – Aryn

Finding Common Ground.

What can we do, right now?

Engage across differences
Put down your phone and talk to the people around you

Connect
Join a group or community of any size. Book club, walking group, dance class

99.9% 
According to the Human Genome Project, the DNA of any two human beings is 99.9 percent identical (genome.gov)

Soften your heart
Approach conversations with empathy.
Pause
Breathe
Stay calm and curious.

Changing your mind…
…is not a failure.
…takes courage.
…is not impossible.

Listen more; speak less

Be open to learning.
The ability to educate ourselves is a privilege. And when we know better, we can do better.

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

– Maya Angelou

Here are some good things to add to your mind palace:

Pluralism – according to Cambridge Dictionary: the existence of different types of people, who have different beliefs and opinions, within the same society.

Civil discourse – respectful and intentional conversation focused on understanding different viewpoints to advance public interest.

Recognize Commonalities

Remember Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? We all need (in order of priority):

Survival
Safety
Love & Belonging
Esteem
Self-Actualization

What can we do, right now?

Buy local and support your neighbors 

Speak up
for those neighbors, for their rights, their contributions, their needs

Read and support local news
being aware of what is happening in a community and how it all works creates a more invested population. When you read other people’s perspectives, try to understand where they’re coming from.

Volunteer 
your time or help someone in need (also accept help from others). It creates positive vibes for both the giver and the receiver.

Donate
to a group or organization that aligns with your values

Say thank you 
(and you’re welcome). Small (and big) appreciations matter.

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