I’m all up for a good debate about whatever’s on the table, whether it’s city council elections, sports, entertainment or just how we live our lives — the decisions we make on a daily basis.

Sometimes, things are done on a mature level — where everyone gets an equal say — but at times, people can tend to put others down and not give them a fair chance to speak their mind.

All I can say is open up the door to others during these conversations and let’s try and put everyone on equal footing — all the time.

In our Dec. 16 issue, there’s two stories that have inspired me to make the most of each day and move through each hour with an open mind about whatever’s put in front of me. I hope you can gain something positive from them, as well:

• Jeffrey O’Rourke made a difference in others’ lives each day by caring for them — treating them as equals — and influencing his family to do the same.

The Bothell resident died of a brain hemorrhage in 2010 and will be honored Jan. 2 at the 123rd Rose Parade with a floragraph (portrait) on the Donate Life float entry.

I had a nice conversation with his wife, Lissa Chan, this week and was moved by her strength to bring her children together and honor their father and share his story with others.

• Then there’s Bothell’s Diana DeAndrea-Kohn, who discussed her life with me and how she wrote about overcoming others’ comments that she’d never find a solid life after becoming pregnant at age 19.

She’s dug down deep and carved a successful path for herself and her family over the years. She’s setting goals and knocking them off her list all the time.

Her inspiring story, “Here I Stand,” is published in Chicken Soup for the Soul’s “Find Your Happiness” edition, and her son, Kenny Gregory, now 21, is thankful that she’s written it. He says it’s guided him through his own life.