I read about
Lunch.com's intention of helping people find Common Ground via social networks and loved it! I have been working with Search for Common Ground since 1997, an organization dedicated to transforming how the world deals with conflict. The vision is very similar to
Lunch.com - "understand the differences; act on the commonalities."
I have traveled existensively across Africa with our work. One of the most satisfying experiences was helping establish a Common Ground project in Sierra Leone. I had served with the Peace Corps there and watched in horror the war from afar. Being able to go back to Sierra Leone and help in a small way the people I love was very powerful. I was grateful many of my friends survived the war, and of course, saddened that others where less fortunate.
Originally, I am from a small farm town in Indiana and was one of ten children (yes, I picked Butler to reach the NCAA final four this year). My parents were amazing, married while still in high school, they set an example that encouraged all their kids to finish college and several went on to graduate school. My parents also picked up one more child after my brother's friend lost his parents. He asked to join our family and has been with us since. All of us are still incredibly close.
In my freetime, I meditate, garden, hike and write. I have been practicing kriya yoga meditation for nearly two decades and enjoy looking at the similarities between inner peacebuilding and outer peacebuilding. I also love visiting Lake Shrine in Los Angeles.
PS: The photo on the motorcycle was taken during Peace Corps. It is on a hill over looking Freetown, Sierra Leone. One hiking photo is from the top of Old Rag Mountain in Virginia and the other in a stream in Nepal.
