The word “compromise” has always been tinged with weakness to me. After all, the whole idea is that each party is giving something up, and surely that is a close cousin to losing.

But this line of reasoning is a slippery slope, leading to the idea that common ground is somehow lesser, a watered-down version of our best potential.

What if common ground is really a window to the essential?

What if compromise steers us toward the greatest and most fundamental truths, the universal ingredients for thriving?

Our individual wants are many, but our common needs are few.

Common ground is not the murky average of disparate desires.

Common ground is not a marsh of squishy compromise. 

Common ground is the highest ground.