Before anyone starts a poll as to whether or not I should be committed, please hear me out on this one...
I think some people may have said [posted] some things in the past week that they did not entirely mean. I do not want to discredit any opinions and concerns that have been said, but I do think that some things may have been stated in haste due to emotions running rampant. Everyone responds differently to loss, tragedy, confusion and fear, and we are often times not seen at our best. We may say things that we do not mean, and the things we do say might come out wrong. We also may read too much into what someone else says, and we may interpret something differently from what was intended. This is only compounded by the fact that our sole interface (in this situation) is a computer screen, and the lack of face-to-face contact only adds a barrier to our ability to accurately convey our thoughts, ideas, and emotions.
I've spent a lot of time reading recent posts about disagreements, complaints, accusations, concerns, conflicts of opinion, and skepticism over someone else's actions. I do not think that anything has been said or done that cannot be forgiven. We are all only human, and we may say and do things that we do not mean. True forgiveness however, can only come from those whom we have offended, and sometimes we must ask for the offended's forgiveness. Although we may not always receive the forgiveness that we desire, we can only humble ourselves knowing that we have made an attempt to make amends.
I will admit that while reading certain posts, I began to lose some respect for certain people. Then I tried to look at things from a different, broader perspective, similar to the one I am trying to portray here. If anything, I guess I have more respect for people based on what they've said and done, considering the circumstances and the simple fact that they felt strongly enough about something to act on their feelings and opinions. Life isn't a spectator sport, at least not the way I see it. It's about making judgement calls and sticking our necks out on the line for what we believe.
At one point I found myself thinking, "Who the **** cares? This is just an online forum. There are other forums out there. There are other sources of information, opinions, ideas, support and entertainment that cater to my interests." Then I took a step back and looked at how well this site and this community combines all of these things, and I don't think I would want it any other way. No, I'm not trying to tell people how they should feel, nor am I attempting to garner more respect. I would just like Fauna to come back to the source of information, opinions, ideas, support and entertainment that it was; the reason I joined, the reason I am still here. It's a community folks. A community where we can seek advice, ask for support, pitch our ideas, and participate actively with people that share similar interests.
I've been thinking about making this statement for a while now, and my biggest hang-up has been WHEN? I thought maybe it's too late; that the damage has been done, bridges have been burned and reputations tainted. Then I thought, well what if it's too soon? What if certain issues that need to run their course have yet to do so, and what if some emotions are still so new that they are still blinding and otherwise affecting how we react? I guess it's just a judgement call on my part, but one I am willing to make, even if the majority leans further one way than the other.
I would like to make my apology to anyone whom I have offended by either saying, or not saying something; whether it be an opinion, reaction or accusation. I'm not excluding myself from the human race, and I know that I too make mistakes and bad judgement calls. Life is too short to dwell on grudges and indifferences, and we may not get a second chance to make things right. I know this all too well, and despite trying to forgive myself for certain things, the pain and regret still haunt me. Anyway, I guess I'll end it there before I delve too deeply into my personal life.
I apologize for this post being so long, and I thank you for hearing me out. Please, just take a moment to comtemplate what I am trying to suggest here, and perhaps consider how it may apply to you.
I think some people may have said [posted] some things in the past week that they did not entirely mean. I do not want to discredit any opinions and concerns that have been said, but I do think that some things may have been stated in haste due to emotions running rampant. Everyone responds differently to loss, tragedy, confusion and fear, and we are often times not seen at our best. We may say things that we do not mean, and the things we do say might come out wrong. We also may read too much into what someone else says, and we may interpret something differently from what was intended. This is only compounded by the fact that our sole interface (in this situation) is a computer screen, and the lack of face-to-face contact only adds a barrier to our ability to accurately convey our thoughts, ideas, and emotions.
I've spent a lot of time reading recent posts about disagreements, complaints, accusations, concerns, conflicts of opinion, and skepticism over someone else's actions. I do not think that anything has been said or done that cannot be forgiven. We are all only human, and we may say and do things that we do not mean. True forgiveness however, can only come from those whom we have offended, and sometimes we must ask for the offended's forgiveness. Although we may not always receive the forgiveness that we desire, we can only humble ourselves knowing that we have made an attempt to make amends.
I will admit that while reading certain posts, I began to lose some respect for certain people. Then I tried to look at things from a different, broader perspective, similar to the one I am trying to portray here. If anything, I guess I have more respect for people based on what they've said and done, considering the circumstances and the simple fact that they felt strongly enough about something to act on their feelings and opinions. Life isn't a spectator sport, at least not the way I see it. It's about making judgement calls and sticking our necks out on the line for what we believe.
At one point I found myself thinking, "Who the **** cares? This is just an online forum. There are other forums out there. There are other sources of information, opinions, ideas, support and entertainment that cater to my interests." Then I took a step back and looked at how well this site and this community combines all of these things, and I don't think I would want it any other way. No, I'm not trying to tell people how they should feel, nor am I attempting to garner more respect. I would just like Fauna to come back to the source of information, opinions, ideas, support and entertainment that it was; the reason I joined, the reason I am still here. It's a community folks. A community where we can seek advice, ask for support, pitch our ideas, and participate actively with people that share similar interests.
I've been thinking about making this statement for a while now, and my biggest hang-up has been WHEN? I thought maybe it's too late; that the damage has been done, bridges have been burned and reputations tainted. Then I thought, well what if it's too soon? What if certain issues that need to run their course have yet to do so, and what if some emotions are still so new that they are still blinding and otherwise affecting how we react? I guess it's just a judgement call on my part, but one I am willing to make, even if the majority leans further one way than the other.
I would like to make my apology to anyone whom I have offended by either saying, or not saying something; whether it be an opinion, reaction or accusation. I'm not excluding myself from the human race, and I know that I too make mistakes and bad judgement calls. Life is too short to dwell on grudges and indifferences, and we may not get a second chance to make things right. I know this all too well, and despite trying to forgive myself for certain things, the pain and regret still haunt me. Anyway, I guess I'll end it there before I delve too deeply into my personal life.
I apologize for this post being so long, and I thank you for hearing me out. Please, just take a moment to comtemplate what I am trying to suggest here, and perhaps consider how it may apply to you.
