Winning Arguments or Finding Common Ground
After a gorgeous fun day at the lake we tried a new local restaurant with two other families. While eating one father said he couldn’t trade food because they are vegetarian. My wife commented how I don’t understand vegetarianism and asked him why they don’t eat meat.
Internally, as I was listening to him, my ego was in full on battle mode and finding inconsistencies, hypocrisy, and all kinds of reasons why his choice is wrong. If I had voiced my inner lawyer, what are the chances that he would say “oh wow I never thought of that, I’ve been such a fool and I’m going to start eating meat right now, thanks so much for educating me”? Probably about as likely as him convincing me to stop eating meat and changing my diet.
Later that evening I remembered the principle of common ground…
I checked Facebook the morning after the election and it was post after post of voting woes. Then I looked away from my phone and saw my 19 month old son playing happy as can be without a care in the world. He doesn’t care who won the election, he probably doesn’t know there was an election, nor what an election is…
The most unique surf session I have had yet. Fall always brings gifts, treats, and magical days. After six months of spring and summer onshore winds Ocean Beach smooths over for a beautiful day of fun waves, a pod of dolphins, and a 
I was shopping for a new propane hose for a camp stove. A big box hardware store was selling it for $25, and at the small local hardware store it was $40. 
I challenge you to stop watching the news, listening to news radio, or reading news magazines and websites, and NOT feel better. I certainly felt much calmer, relaxed, peaceful, and at ease without that constant stream of negativity conditioning us to believe that this is the dominant way of our world. The proof for me is asking this question: how many people do I know personally that commit violent acts or are violated on a daily basis? I don’t know any people who commit acts of terror, murder, rape, robbery, or battery, and yet if I watch the news I’m told these people are everywhere all around me. And even if our world is this violent how does sitting on the couch watching endless stories about it help…
What?!? Sound crazy? Well for me eating food I don’t want to eat and doing workouts I don’t want to do, that’s crazy. I tried for decades to commit to formulaic diets and regimented gym workouts. I stuck it out for months and sometimes as long as a year, and every time I would eventually burnout. I wasted thousands of dollars on unused gym memberships and uneaten supplements, protein powders, and bars.
I had a great time at the Heavy Water event at Ocean Beach Yesterday. Big thanks to the organizers and athletes for bringing the wonderful SUP 
A mini video review and my thoughts on the GoPro Hero5 Session camera. Also I talk a bit about the expectations and desire for new tech and the reality of how we feel after we get it. I swapped out the original GoPro session for this new one and gave it go on my bamboo SUP surfboard mounted elevated pole. I am impressed, as the camera looks and sounds better with more image capturing horsepower in it. Feeling stoked! I am looking forward to capturing many adventures this fall and winter…
What would you call a couple that lives in separate houses, doesn’t eat meals together, dates other people, and splits custody of their children? I would call this couple separated and if they aren’t already I’d say they will be divorced soon. We have this similar separation from our neighbors and our community and yet we don’t say we are divorced, we say this is normal and the way we are supposed to live.
