Rather than emphasizing how we are different from each other, why not focus on what we have in common?

The six degrees of separation concept may be one way we can show how people are more alike than we are different.

"Six degrees of separation refers to the idea that, if a person is one "step" away from each person he or she knows and two "steps" away from each person who is known by one of the people he or she knows, then everyone is no more than six "steps" away from each person on Earth. Several studies, such as Milgram's small world experiment, have been conducted to empirically measure this connectedness. While the exact number of links between people differs depending on the population measured, it is generally found to be relatively small. Hence, six degrees of separation is somewhat synonymous with the idea of the "small world" phenomenon."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_degrees_of_separation

-snip-

It really is a small world after all. For example, by happenchance [?] I found out that another Mudcatter and I grew up in the same hometown though we didn't live there at the same time. But what are the odds that two people who don't know each other but who grew up in the same smallish city-albeit at different times-would end up posting on the same smallish [?] online discussion forum at the same time? Furthermore, what are the odds that one of these posters would would "happen" to mention her roots in that city, and the other poster would happen to read the thread in which this was mentioned?

Maybe this doesn't seem like that much of a coincidence to you.
And actually, the word "coincidence" doesn't totally convey what I'm thinking of when I consider this and other types of things that I've found out that I have in common with some folks who post on Mudcat.
I think there's some kind of divine intervention that draws folks to certain places and people and things [like particular online discussion forums]. Or at least, it sometimes seems that way to me.

Are there any "it's a small world after all" stories that you can share about the connections you were surprised to learn that you have with one or more Mudcatter?

If so, how about sharing that example or examples on this thread?

I, for one, would be interested in reading those kinds of stories.

Thanks in advance for posting on this thread!