Some Rules for Engagement

So, I've never done this before. Some of you, like my Dad, have been involved in discussion groups, like Food for Thought, that lay down good ground rules for conversations like these, that ensure the safety of the individuals involved. Here are some that come to mind:

- You, like me, are entitled to your opinion. It's distinctly yours and distinctly you. I will honor
it, whether or not I agree. I will honor you.

- I will be careful not to attack or accuse. I'll be sparing on personal judgments. Please forgive
me my assumptions, and gently correct me when I cross your boundaries. I'll try to do the
same.

- I know how limiting text can be to express how deeply we feel sometimes. Even so, let's limit
our punctuation marks to one at the end of our sentences. !!! 's especially are conversation
killers. We can take a break and come back, if we're that upset.

- Often there are a lot of deep wounds behind seemingly insignificant responses. In that light, I
will treat what I don't understand about you carefully, compassionately.


If we can agree, more even to the spirit of these words than the words themselves, let's continue।