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When I sold my first article to a local newspaper, I quickly learned the importance of checking my facts. Nearly three years ago, when our publisher, Kylie, and I began working together on The Polishing Stone, we had many debates about the style and purpose of each article. For her, the ability to "feel" the writer in a piece was paramount; I would haggle about getting every detail right. Rather quickly, we both saw the merit of the other's approach, and dedicated ourselves to publishing writers who pay attention to details and reach out to readers in a personal way. The combination of facts and feelings is a good way to inspire positive change, because after we've sifted through the facts, our feelings are often what guide us to stay a course or make a change. Sometimes, seeing the personal side of an issue is what entices us to wade through the facts at all.

Some argue that certain subjects are just too dire for respectful discourse, and, as an editor, I often struggle with this issue. But I've come to believe that the extremely volatile issues are often the ones that require the most careful handling. I have only to look at my personal relationships as evidence. How can I fully express myself during a conflict and still show the other person that I care? I can make a point by being brutally honest and risk severing the relationship. But forcing my views on someone — trying to control the situation — doesn't work well in any interaction. Domination never has encouraged willing change. Why should it be any different when we write a persuasive article? It's easy to attack or be cynical; it's much more difficult to be kind when we feel righteous.

A writer's ability to relay facts and explain how acting upon them has affected her life can be the most gracious invitation to change. There is also nothing like a David and Goliath story (no matter the scale) to inspire us. When she also reminds us of our relationship to each other, the answers to some of the toughest questions can become much simpler to find.

In the last decade, my thoughts about communication have also been influenced by the privilege I've had, along with others, to spend time with several Native American elders. While sitting in talking circle, what I notice is that the elders' stories are often about themselves: their failings, strivings, what worked, what didn't... I hear "This is what I did" — never "This is what you should do." For me, the difference is profound — and freeing. It's empowering to listen to the views of others, filter them through my knowledge and experiences and then draw my own conclusions.

There was an interesting letter to the editor in The Sun magazine recently. Someone had complained that the publication printed too many "I" articles. Another reader wrote back to say that is precisely the reason she reads the publication. We're told that's why many readers enjoy The Polishing Stone. We try to provide a glimpse of the human being behind the story. That requires that we, as writers, do our best to live the lives we find to be the most helpful and healing for our families and the earth. We hope that the facts we share are a seamless aspect of our stories and that the interlacing of information and feelings is a source of inspiration for you.