We Are Family

[RunningDeer]

This thread is for Members to:

• welcome Members and their ideas
• create an atmosphere of support
• highlight some of the new members points of view and their threads
• direct new members to existing & retired threads
• post information

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
-------

Hello, All --

My warmest wishes to everyone who has posted here: thank you so much for this very pleasant surprise.

And Limor, it was a surprise! You're the only one I'm going to pick out here and embarrass as much as I can. Bless you for your generosity, kindness and giant heart. (But no, no speeches just yet...)

All the members reading this, it's a pleasure and a privilege to share the forum with you all. You all co-create this community together. I remain convinced that we're doing something important here, and have really only just started in the context of the challenges that may lie ahead.

To take a break from the heavy stuff, here's my favorite song... and very much the [unofficial!] theme of Avalon:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=x-NXwRUQcmg

We're sailing in a strange boat
heading for a strange shore
We're sailing in a strange boat
heading for a strange shore
Carrying the strangest cargo
that was ever hauled aboard.

We're sailing on a strange sea
blown by a strange wind
We're sailing on a strange sea
blown by a strange wind
Carrying the strangest crew
that ever sinned.

We're riding in a strange car
We're following a strange star
We're climbing on the strangest ladder
that was ever there to climb.

We're living in a strange time
working for a strange goal
We're living in a strange time
working for a strange goal
We're turning flesh and body into soul.

[CdnSirian]

I habitually go straight to Todays Posts, and I don't see the "Welcome" so-and-so, or the birthdays. I will check these more often.

[music]

As in life, here the strong personalities take the sunlight, and the more sensitive souls emerge only every now and then. Those who observe much yet talk seldom are often (in my experience) the ones most worth listening too. Great idea, but alas, probably destined to be yet one more thread with a positive message that slowly disappears without trace from the front page while doom and gloom continues to hold centre stage.

[Lettherebelight]

I think that's a really good idea, WhiteCrowBlackDeer...I know the welcome new members thread was created for this purpose, but not everyone notices it every time they log in...I know I don't go there so often..

Maybe some kind of cyber welcome wagon could be arranged? The problem is that no one is on line in a regular fashion, apart from the Mods. Because Avalon is a 'drop in' place, so this would be hard to co-ordinate.

[Fred Steeves]

Hi Paula, hard to say why so many people come aboard, but then wind up not really participating. I do suspect though that the biggest reasons are either not feeling one's opinion is worthy, or fear of being TOLD one's opinion is not worthy, whether it actually is or not. Not really sure how to go about coaxing them out of the shadows, but if anyone here can do it it would be you Paula.

All I have to go on, is remembering how I felt when first being accepted as a member here. I had wanted to run with the big dogs, to be a small fish in a big pond, and I got my wish. I felt like a boy amongst men, and it was true, but it soon became apparent that there's only one way to start rubbing elbows with these people, and that's by making that initial move to participate. Just jump on in, and sink or swim.

If I were talking right now to a reluctant poster with something to share, I would say come on in the water's warm. We don't always behave ourselves, and sometimes we bite, but through and through we mean well, and love to have fresh perspectives on matters. Oh, and don't forget, you can always bite back!

[giovonni]

Welcome to the Avalon Forum ~

The forum with the hottest and latest news ~ Served up from truly loving hearts !

[skippy]

Hi Paula, personally, I like the village idea as being developed and practiced in the “Here and Now” thread. This is really what a community is all about: sharing, encouraging, helping each other, and provide some comfort and consolation during difficult times. In the village, the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Discussion and intellectual debate are important, but secondary to the spiritual kinship and personal relationships.

To all the newcomers I would say, take a look in the village, have a seat and make yourself comfortable. The “Here and Now" village is a nice and welcoming place to be, to discuss, to have a drink, whatever. It’s a bit like the village of Asterix and Obelix, a nice village of the indomitable Gauls as they resist Roman occupation. They do so by means of a magic potion, brewed by their druid, which gives them superhuman strength.



A family picture

[Mulder]

I've been thinking of this myself because I feel it's needed and if you are on the outside you are virtually ignored, no matter how insightful or correct your posts are.
I'm happy to help with this and do things to make others more welcome.

[Lettherebelight]

Hey Fred, maybe you are our cyber welcome wagon! I have noticed your lovely welcome posts on new member's message boards..

I think new members aren't so much 'in the shadows' as we think, they are probably observing with interest. Maybe we could say its more a matter of encouraging them to share 'their wisdom and light'?

They might be of the mind that 'empty vessels make the loudest noise'?

[RunningDeer]

Posted by CdnSirian (here)
I habitually go straight to Todays Posts, and I don't see the "Welcome" so-and-so, or the birthdays. I will check these more often.

I posted on the Here & Now thread to you, CdnSirian, I’ve always felt 100% support from you. It’s the small things that go un-noticed by most that make the biggest impact for some of us. I’ll use this opportunity to say thank you.

Posted by music (here)
As in life, here the strong personalities take the sunlight, and the more sensitive souls emerge only every now and then. Those who observe much yet talk seldom are often (in my experience) the ones most worth listening too. Great idea, but alas, probably destined to be yet one more thread with a positive message that slowly disappears without trace from the front page while doom and gloom continues to hold centre stage.

Good news is that there will be some that'll drop a note on someone’s message board every once in a while. My hope is that they will pay it forward to a new person. You brightened my day today with an impromptu message.

Posted by Lettherebelight (here)
Hey Fred, maybe you are our cyber welcome wagon! I have noticed your lovely welcome posts on new member's message boards.

Yes! I noticed that too. When I wrote: “Many reach out in personal, one-on-one ways. I want to publicly acknowledge...” Fred, Caren, & Wakytweaky, who consistently come up. I see them on lots of message boards. And they along with amandapoet, Limor, Christine, Murray, & you, Lettherebelight, make regular stops at the "Welcome to Avalon" thread.

Posted by Fred Steeves (here)
...but if anyone here can do it it would be you Paula.

Thank you Fred, I'd add replace 'Paula' with 'Fred'.

You travel from thread to thread, and create threads adding 'Fredisms' every where. Sometimes, I catch myself saying, "Oh, looky, Fred's started a new Fread."
Ya know, if you had a paypal button, I'd help pay for your gas.

[RunningDeer]

Posted by giovonni (here)
Welcome to the Avalon Forum ~
The forum with the hottest and latest news ~ Served up from truly loving hearts !

This video is from "Up At the Ranch". It's a one-stop-shopping kinda place. To quote Heather2017: "LOL at "Look, a crazy person." It becomes clear @ the 4 second mark.

Hello to my friends, Gio & Heather2017.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=kHHln1wnsns

¤=[Post Update]=¤

Posted by skippy (here)
Hi Paula, personally, I like the village idea as being developed and practiced in the “Here and Now” thread. This is really what a community is all about: sharing, encouraging, helping each other, and provide some comfort and consolation during difficult times. In the village, the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Discussion and intellectual debate are important, but secondary to the spiritual kinship and personal relationships.

To all the newcomers I would say, take a look in the village, have a seat and make yourself comfortable. The “Here and Now" village is a nice and welcoming place to be, to discuss, to have a drink, whatever....

I feel the same way, Skippy. It's a great place to experiment with voice and play and support and family/friendship connections.

Posted by Mulder (here)
I've been thinking of this myself because I feel it's needed and if you are on the outside you are virtually ignored, no matter how insightful or correct your posts are.
I'm happy to help with this and do things to make others more welcome.

Great, Mulder, and thank you! I’ll also add to this thread every couple of weeks the newest member’s names and links to their message board. That way it’ll be easier for us to drop them a welcome message and/or friend them.

[ulli]

People of similar energy are attracted to each other,
and the original Here and Now Village thread members are still
posting because they share some kind of an energetic blueprint.
Many Avalonians have never stopped by there, and that is because it is not their "vibe", and that's ok.

Yet I want to encourage others to create similar casual centers that would attract their kind of people.
I think this forum has room for plenty more Villages being formed,
following a similar pattern.

Someone just has to come up with a theme,
and then others who happen to like the OP can then follow.
This cannot be forced, of course, it has to happen by itself.
Law of attraction.
Any theme that allows like-minded participants to congregate would do.
The secret of success is to keep talking "about" how to make it work at a minimum,
but allowing people to pour out their guts
and responding to their needs with heartfelt compassion.

When someone first wakes up and finds out how devious the PTB are...
this can be a traumatizing experience for them, and so having community of people
who have been there, done that, can then give a heads up to newcomers and offer consolation.

This cannot be organized, it needs to happen in a spontaneous fashion.
The idea of having clubs here at Avalon was a good one,
but the special success of the Here and Now thread (which has just passed 844,000 views)
can be attributed to the fact that there was a real need for people to come together
and give each other mutual support.

So, Paula, what I see here is that you are standing at the crossroads:
either you become a moderator and help the rest of the team,
or you become the mother of another Avalon Village, one that reflects your particular personality.
How about it?
We Are Family is a good name, or you could name it something like Pauler's Bistro, or Paula's Coffee Shop.

[skippy]

Posted by ulli (here)

So, Paula, what I see here is that you are standing at the crossroads:
either you become a moderator and help the rest of the team,
or you become the mother of another Avalon Village, one that reflects your particular personality.

What about a motherator..?

[ulli]

Posted by skippy (here)

Posted by ulli (here)

So, Paula, what I see here is that you are standing at the crossroads:
either you become a moderator and help the rest of the team,
or you become the mother of another Avalon Village, one that reflects your particular personality.

What about a motherator..?

Brilliant. Even if Pauler doesn't like the title...
I think it's going to be a sticky.

[RunningDeer]

Posted by ulli (here)
So, Paula, what I see here is that you are standing at the crossroads:
either you become a moderator and help the rest of the team, or you become the mother of another Avalon Village, one that reflects your particular personality.

How about it?
We Are Family is a good name, or you could name it something like Pauler's Bistro, or Paula's Coffee Shop.

Ulli, I love your post about how the "Here and Now" naturally unfolds.

I hadn’t thought of another establishment. I’d give it a whirl, see where it goes. I like “We Are Family”. Mulder is up for it too, that way I can set up my soup cart. Maybe add some mocha cappuccino visits, too.

I’m considering the mod commitment. Hold on a moment. Excuse me while I grab a bag. I’m hyperventilating. [commitment] I’d have to set up Skype and remove that masking tape I’ve got covering that camera thingy. And it means I’ll have to loose 10 lbs. Ugh!

[RunningDeer]

Posted by skippy (here)

Posted by ulli (here)

So, Paula, what I see here is that you are standing at the crossroads:
either you become a moderator and help the rest of the team,
or you become the mother of another Avalon Village, one that reflects your particular personality.

What about a motherator..?

What about a motherator..?

Ha! Skippy!
She cooks and vacuums the world.

[RunningDeer]

From the "Welcome to Avalon" thread

[Mike]

i too wish all the "silent" members would start participating, regardless of their knowledge, wisdom, or level of spirituality. they might allow a few idiots like myself to feel like a teacher

some people wouldn't like the intrusion of the 'newbees'...but to me any addition to the energy soup here would, at the very least, make things a little more interesting i have a great respect for all the members that participate on a regular basis here, but it would be nice to see some new faces. it's sorta like playing tennis with the same person every day...after a while you know every move; you need new people to play with.

you're a leader here Paula. you're patient, highly intelligent, wise, and thoughtful....basically everything i'm not! i'm glad you're taking up the mantle here.

to the silent watchers i say: come jump in with us! sure, you're gonna say something stupid here n there; look, i cringe when i read some of my older posts! (and some of my recent ones, for that matter) anyway, it's no biggie. plus, it can be a lot of fun!

[MaroonLagoon]

I'm a new member that hasn't spoken up much so far, I'm just the shy type and feel like I don't have as much to bring to the table sometimes, a little intimidated sometimes maybe yes. I'm also a new mother and just started grasping more of the bigger picture while I was pregnant and found this forum, a lot of times I feel too busy to respond properly, and I keep getting hit by one thing after another in life right now so I'm kind of in a state of shock, trying to go within more and observing more and going crazy all at the same time, just brought a kid into the world in the middle of all this and because of the stress lately I haven't felt like I had much positive or constructive stuff to share so I've kept to myself. I felt like I had more of a grip when I first joined than I do now. There's been lots of times I was going to respond to a thread and someone else would say exactly what I was thinking or a better thought out form of it I also got embarassed because I misunderstood something someone said so I decided to step back and read more and understand everyone better before I speak up. Sometimes what I am planning to add one day I will have another point of view the next day after I think more about it. Even when the turbulence hits I love that someone here always or usually tries to bring the warmth and connection back into things.
Every time I come here someone has posted about something I'm wondering or thinking about, sometimes word for word and answering lots of questions I have. Maybe I'm taking a lot in still, it is defenitely making a difference for me. Blah blah blah about me, I just mean there's lots of people like me I'm sure that are taking everything in still, going within themselves or feel like total newbies and may be shy or busy, but it's probably having lots of impact for them too. I appreciate it so much. When I read things that are posted here it's getting me to take a better look at myself which is another reason for so much silence from me, theres so much to think about. There's a lot going on in the silence probably

I'll try to pipe up a little more

[WhiteFeather]

To all our newest family members of Avalon. Your ideas and thoughts are of great value and importance to your new brothers and sisters here. So please jump in any time, the water is warm.