Alumette
06-12-2005, 08:12 AM
A true friend is someone who will tell you to your face that your breath stinks, that you have spinach in your teeth, that your jeans make you look fat. This person doesn't do this to be mean, but to help you go out into the world being the best person you can be.
Granted, there are more or less tactful ways to do this, but generally speaking it is better to take what your friend has to say at face value, and realize that they are saying what they're saying out of a genuine compassion for you.
Do not imagine betrayal when it isn't there. Those who would betray would be far more sneaky and far less obvious.The simplest solution is often the case.
I post this because I think there's been something in the water here in our little community the past few days or so. Like people who have been cooped up together too long, we are beginning to hallucinate, to imagine shadows that aren't there; to fear the worst. Some of us are beginning to let our fears become our reality.
We must remember that what got us here was that we stuck together. It hasn't always been perfectly smooth sailing, but it has been a sense of community, of basic respect, and most importantly of faith and of trust. This is one of the best communities I've ever seen online. Don't let what we're afraid of have the power to shake that foundation because the fact is, it doesn't. It's like the creatures in Harry Potter (can't remember what they're called) that take the shape of your worst fear. They are immensely powerful, but the way to beat them is to look them in the eye and essentially say "Ridiculous!"
We must have faith in eachother. We must not forget that we have made this community great because we all have a light in us that we are willing to let shine for others in our own way. There is not a single person on this forum that does not have something to offer. I personally believe that everyone here is a quality individual, unique in all the world, and I think that's wonderful. I don't wish to be naive--like any community we've had our problems and I do think there are things that could have and maybe should have been handled differently. But to lose faith altogether and assume the worst about eachother is a tragedy.
We are always far stronger together than we are apart.
My wishes for you all (http://hobbes.ncsa.uiuc.edu/desiderata.html)
If this thread makes sense to you, then it's done its job. If it doesn't, then just consider it food for thought, and Alumette's typical striving for peace and compassion, and leave it at that.
Peace to you,
Granted, there are more or less tactful ways to do this, but generally speaking it is better to take what your friend has to say at face value, and realize that they are saying what they're saying out of a genuine compassion for you.
Do not imagine betrayal when it isn't there. Those who would betray would be far more sneaky and far less obvious.The simplest solution is often the case.
I post this because I think there's been something in the water here in our little community the past few days or so. Like people who have been cooped up together too long, we are beginning to hallucinate, to imagine shadows that aren't there; to fear the worst. Some of us are beginning to let our fears become our reality.
We must remember that what got us here was that we stuck together. It hasn't always been perfectly smooth sailing, but it has been a sense of community, of basic respect, and most importantly of faith and of trust. This is one of the best communities I've ever seen online. Don't let what we're afraid of have the power to shake that foundation because the fact is, it doesn't. It's like the creatures in Harry Potter (can't remember what they're called) that take the shape of your worst fear. They are immensely powerful, but the way to beat them is to look them in the eye and essentially say "Ridiculous!"
We must have faith in eachother. We must not forget that we have made this community great because we all have a light in us that we are willing to let shine for others in our own way. There is not a single person on this forum that does not have something to offer. I personally believe that everyone here is a quality individual, unique in all the world, and I think that's wonderful. I don't wish to be naive--like any community we've had our problems and I do think there are things that could have and maybe should have been handled differently. But to lose faith altogether and assume the worst about eachother is a tragedy.
We are always far stronger together than we are apart.
My wishes for you all (http://hobbes.ncsa.uiuc.edu/desiderata.html)
If this thread makes sense to you, then it's done its job. If it doesn't, then just consider it food for thought, and Alumette's typical striving for peace and compassion, and leave it at that.
Peace to you,