Many people are naturally accepting of the reality of what is, but by nature are not comfortable with the unknown. So rules and the status quo are their comfort zone. They are the keepers of tradition. They tend to live in the present moment.   They are practical, often talented in working on things in the immediate physical world. In relationships they are like my husband, who said, “I don’t understand her, but I accept her as she is.” A neighbor or fellow worker, even one who is foreign or different from them, can gradually become understood and trusted enough to become a friend that they will help even at a cost to themselves. But that trust doesn’t necessarily extend to others of that differing group.

Other people come into the world naturally idealistic and open to those differing, but with ideas about how everything and everyone can be improved.  Change is the favored tool in their box. They work on self-improvement, but also tend to do as I did, encouraging (dragging) their spouses to explore means of self-improvement.  They tend to see the big picture, but sometimes are oblivious to what is right in front of them.  These people often focus on the future, anticipating problems and wanting to head them off. They tend to be interested in and care about the concerns of people who are different from themselves, those of other nationalities, races, genders, and people with disabilities  

We are only beginning to become familiar with the inborn differences that are strengths with up sides and a down sides. People naturally focus on different aspects of the world and life. 

For a democracy to survive and flourish we need both. The challenge is that at any given time, we may need to emphasize different needs.  And that takes cooperation and compromise and recognizing the need for the differing gifts of all.

When we see each other as the enemy rather than our partner, violence and fear become a daily part of all of our lives.