Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Private vs. Public space, next to back door

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On Jul 10, 2004, at 1:48 AM, Michele Satanove wrote:

> Aesthetics are such a personal thing, and I find it surprising that 
> there
> isn't more acceptance of each other's situations in cohousing 
> communities
> everywhere.

What I find more surprising than the diversity in aesthetics is the 
lack of awareness about resolving differences. People give up so soon. 
When everyone has the right to express their druthers, others have to 
not only be able to hear them but to stick with it long enough to 
resolve the druthers. This usually means coming up with a third 
solution that works for everyone, but all parties have to engage with 
this process in order for it to work.

Too often someone just goes away mad at the first expression of a 
difference of opinion and then blames the other person for the problem.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org