The Election: Finding Courage in Coming Together
When the bravest act is reaching across the divide
This Week’s Courage Newsletter
"The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment." - Dorothy Nevill
Why unity requires more courage than division
Join the 28-Day Courage Challenge
Scare Your Soul Challenge: The Bridge Builder's Revolution
Bottom line: Sometimes the bravest path is the one that leads toward each other
Dear Courageous Souls (and Bridge Builders),
Last night, I found myself at dinner with two dear friends. They sit on opposite sides of our nation's political divide.
The rigatoni with lamb ragu was delicious. The wine was flowing. And then someone mentioned the election.
The air shifted. I tensed.
But then something extraordinary happened. Instead of retreating to our comfortable corners, we leaned in.
Not to argue. Not to convince.
But to listen.
It wasn't easy. It wasn't comfortable. But it might have been one of the bravest things we've done together.
Here's what I've learned about the courage it takes to come together:
Echo chambers are the ultimate comfort zones.
It's soothing to surround ourselves with voices that mirror our own. To follow the news that confirms what we already believe. To fill our social feeds with people who think just like us.
But comfort zones, as we know, are where courage goes to take a nap.
The Roman philosopher Seneca wrote, "The greatest power we have is the power to transform an enemy into a friend."
Not by abandoning our convictions, but by remembering that behind every political position is a person, behind every vote is a story, behind every opinion is a life lived differently than our own.
This Week's Scare Your Soul Challenge: The Reality Revolution
The week:
Have one conversation with someone you disagree with - not about your disagreement, but about their story
Ask what matters to them and why
Listen not to respond, but to understand
Share a meal if you can - breaking bread has a way of breaking down walls
The invitation:
No debating
No converting
No checking your phone when it gets uncomfortable
Just presence, curiosity, and courage
Will it be awkward? Like a first dance at a wedding.
Will it change the world? Maybe not immediately.
Will it change you?
Absolutely.
Because here's the truth: The deepest courage isn't in standing our ground. It's in building bridges while standing our ground. It's in holding both our convictions and our common humanity.
That's not compromise. That's courage.
With hope and determination,
