Tricia Leines

My husband and I share opposing political views. Imagine, in this intense political climate, what our conversations might look and sound like. We are both strong willed, educated, and appreciate critical thinking. He’s a Republican. I’m an Independent. Every evening we were turning our home into a debate stage. Yes, it could be entertaining, but it was also exhausting and created a friction between us.

Because the microcosm is the macrocosm, I knew our relationship would not sustain standing on either side of our kitchen island with arms crossed tallying up how right we were. Our arguing was not making an positive impact on us or the world. We had to shift our focus. We needed to nurture our common ground.

Engaging in healthy, skillful discourse still happens, but now our priority is finding time to lovingly connect, play, laugh, and share in things that bring us together.

I wrote this song as a reminder of what I love about us and how I want to move forward side by side with my beloved. These lyrics also remind me to seek common ground with others… in my neighborhood, community, country and world. To look for where we are similar…how are we alike in this human experience. I ask myself, how can I be a friend and support others during these unstable times? How can we all work together to stand on common ground?

“Common Ground” – Tricia Leines

Verse 1

tell me that joke that makes us laugh

show me a view that you love too

deal me the cards two hearts at play

walk with me at the end of day

Chorus

meet me where love is found

side by side on common ground

Verse 2

sing me that song that we both know

name all our stars in evening glow

pick the fruit for us to share

kiss me softly with eyes that care

Chorus

meet me where love is found

side by side on common ground

Bridge

lucky, so lucky

in this whole wide world

to have and to hold

saying yes to us

yes to two

living our “I do”

Verse 3

plant the seeds of togetherness

nurture them all with tenderness

hold my hand ‘n fall asleep

two of us dreaming, promise to keep  

Chorus

meet me where love is found

you and me, the sweetest sound

side by side on common ground