We Are Family

[CD7]

Great thread...good environment to foster! Whether someone gets messaged or nodded in some way...i still think having a 'cultivating' air about the forum is healing and leaves room for growth

[ThePythonicCow]

Posted by Chinaski (here)
i too wish all the "silent" members would start participating

It's a bit ironic, Chinaski, that that would be your last post for a while .

Chinaski just asked me to retire his account ... something about trying to write a book, and being too distracted by the forum.

Best to your book writing, Chinaski. Let us know when you're ready to retire to a life of luxury on your author's royalties and return to the forum full time.

[RunningDeer]

Posted by Paul (here)

Posted by Chinaski (here)
i too wish all the "silent" members would start participating

It's a bit ironic, Chinaski, that that would be your last post for a while .

Chinaski just asked me to retire his account ... something about trying to write a book, and being too distracted by the forum.

Best to your book writing, Chinaski. Let us know when you're ready to retire to a life of luxury on your author's royalties and return to the forum full time.

I just discovered!
I will miss you, Chinaski-Mike. I'll leave you to your writing for now, but I promise to be in touch. Check your email on February 13th.

With Love,
Paula xo

PS I'd like a signed copy please...

[RunningDeer]

Posted by MaroonLagoon (here)
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.

Welcome, MaroonLagoon! Anything goes. No worries. All the feelings you expressed, I’d say you represent many of us. You just created more Light for others to speak, too. So thanks.

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.

Congratulations on your new Momhood. You wrote that “you felt like I had more of a grip when I first joined than I do now.” Sounds like your normal. That's the weirdness and forgetfulness that happens with new Moms.

Sleep deprived, and Little One says, "Me first, me first, Mommy. Oh, you didn’t hear me. I can ratchet it up a notch if you’d like.”

And those hormones that are asking for directions? I say just strap a GPS to your head. Ha! Kudos to you, for anything you get accomplished.

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 definitely making a difference for me.

I love it when that happens! Synchronicities. It means you are tapping into the good stuff within.

Blah blah blah about me...I'll try to pipe up a little more

I say "blah, blah, blah" all you want. It’s a safe place. And "pipe up" as much or as little as your are comfortable with. Number one priority? Take care of yourself and the Little One. If part of taking care of yourself is reaching out to us, know that we're here for you.

Peace,
WhiteCrowBlackDeer xo

[Padmé]

Hello and thank you all for your warm welcome

I guess I am one of the many people you are speaking about. I joined Avalon quite some months ago, thanked, silently agreed and sometimes disagreed with posts but haven’t really shared my thoughts here as yet. From my perspective, it has been a matter of finding a thread I can really join in with, have a worthy contribution to… and I have to admit, when I have found that thread that reaches out to me, actually putting my thoughts down in words has become a difficult task. I guess I find myself editing my thoughts, aware of the many types of characters that are regular contributors to this forum and reluctant to foolishly misunderstand and unintentionally offend someone, somehow Bonds have been built, evidently some that go back many years and my approach so far is to read as much as I can and build up some sort of an impression of whom I am going to be responding to.

The here and now thread is indeed a lovely thread but one that can also be intimidating for new members, in my opinion. Once again, though it is a more relaxed thread, there are stories that go back many pages, everybody seems to know one another well, joke around, share their thoughts… it’s a little like walking into a private party where I’m sure everyone would be very welcoming, I would still feel like the shy kid standing in the corner blushing, barely raising my hand while I give a little wave I think from time to time, to start a similar thread of sorts would be very nice so that us shy ones can say hi too

When I sign in, I too immediately go to the new posts and read down from there. Maybe a welcoming thread could be pinned to the top so that all new and older members can see a shy, ‘hello, this is me, I’m new, please be gentle’ post?

And oh… hello, nice to meet you all and I hope to contribute something properly soon…

Padmé xx

*Edited as I realised that my first emoticon was a hand and not a wave. Eek, sorry about that

[Padmé]

Oh and I must add, I am gutted that Chinaski has decided to leave just as i decide to post something haha. You are going to be missed dearly

[WhiteFeather]

Posted by Paul (here)

Posted by Chinaski (here)
i too wish all the "silent" members would start participating

It's a bit ironic, Chinaski, that that would be your last post for a while .

Chinaski just asked me to retire his account ... something about trying to write a book, and being too distracted by the forum.

Best to your book writing, Chinaski. Let us know when you're ready to retire to a life of luxury on your author's royalties andi return to the forum full time.

I just noticed that a minute ago as well too Paul. Hope he comes back to his family soon. I enjoyed his presence here.

[WhiteFeather]

Padme, you got a friend in me. As i extend out my hand to you. Good to see you posting and expressing your thoughts to your family here. I thought i would attach this video here, seems appropriately fitting. And please accept my friendship.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=9x50fVVzUI0

[Padmé]

Posted by WhiteFeather (here)
Padme, you got a friend in me. As i extend out my hand to you. Good to see you posting and expressing your thoughts to your family here. I thought i would attach this video here, seems appropriately fitting. And please accept my friendship.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=9x50fVVzUI0

Hello WhiteFeather. I must say, that is the sweetest way anybody has ever requested my friendship and I would be honoured to accept. Thank you, you have made my day

[RunningDeer]

Posted by Padmé (here)
Hello and thank you all for your warm welcome

Welcome, Padmé. Judging from the list of new comers in December and part of January, I’d say you are a veteran.

I guess I am one of the many people you are speaking about. I joined Avalon quite some months ago, thanked, silently agreed and sometimes disagreed with posts but haven’t really shared my thoughts here as yet. From my perspective, it has been a matter of finding a thread I can really join in with, have a worthy contribution to… and I have to admit, when I have found that thread that reaches out to me, actually putting my thoughts down in words has become a difficult task. I guess I find myself editing my thoughts, aware of the many types of characters that are regular contributors to this forum and reluctant to foolishly misunderstand and unintentionally offend someone, somehow

Shhh, sometimes, I still hold my breath when I push the rely button. I’ve lost count of how many posts I’ve written and rewritten and re.... only to not post. Grrrr... Don’tcha just hate it when that happens?

"...Bonds have been built, evidently some that go back many years and my approach so far is to read as much as I can and build up some sort of an impression of whom I am going to be responding to..."

I’m new and fresh each day. I never know what’s coming out of these fingers. So you don’t have to do any extra study to have a “mocha cappuccino visits”, cuz, We Are Family, Padmé. I can vouch for many that have posted here already are the same as me. Just give us a chance.

”...I would still feel like the shy kid standing in the corner blushing, barely raising my hand while I give a little wave I think from time to time, to start a similar thread of sorts would be very nice so that us shy ones can say hi too

This is a helpful perspective for us all, the newbees and the oldees. You described me to a “T” when I first arrived and some days I still feel that way.

When I sign in, I too immediately go to the new posts and read down from there. Maybe a welcoming thread could be pinned to the top so that all new and older members can see a shy, ‘hello, this is me, I’m new, please be gentle’ post?

Consider this a “boots on the ground” place to post. “‘hello, this is me, I’m new, please be gentle’ post?” Everyone that walks through these doors has lived what you speak of, it’s just that some have forgotten. There are plenty of us around to help remind them.

And oh… hello, nice to meet you all and I hope to contribute something properly soon…

Padmé xx

If you never contribute one more word, your post will echo for a long, long time. I’m touched by your honesty of feelings. Thank you for speaking for the Many. I hope you do post, you have a lot to offer.

With heart,
WhiteCrowBlackDeer xo

PS I changed the hand to a wave. It's one of my favorite smilies.

[RunningDeer]

Posted by Padmé (here)

Posted by WhiteFeather (here)
Padme, you got a friend in me. As i extend out my hand to you. Good to see you posting and expressing your thoughts to your family here. I thought i would attach this video here, seems appropriately fitting. And please accept my friendship.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=9x50fVVzUI0

Hello WhiteFeather. I must say, that is the sweetest way anybody has ever requested my friendship and I would be honoured to accept. Thank you, you have made my day

Sniff, sniff... ILU

[onawah]

I was sad to hear Chinaski's leaving, and I beg to differ with his own assessment of his intelligence.
To be as entertaining as he is, you have to be quite intelligent.
I understand why he is dropping out though--the forum can be a huge distraction when you've got other priorities.
But I was glad to see Padme will be posting more.
Welcome to the new members, and I would just like to offer this piece of advice--there has been an amazing amount of good information posted on Avalon over the years, and looking back at some of the old threads could prove to be much more interesting than you might ever imagine.

This was a very logical thread for WhiteCrowBlackDeer to start, as I have always found her presence here to be very warm and heart-based.
I'm one of the oldtime members, and I've seen the face of Avalon change so many times.
I think it's in a good space now, and for me, proof is that I felt safe in posting 2 threads recently that kind of left my soft underbelly exposed, one about my kitty who has been ill, and one about being ill myself.
I was rewarded with many very helpful and supportive responses.

I'm a fairly frequent poster, but I'm also fairly sensitive and introverted.
I've felt burned at times on Avalon, and I've learned to be more cautious, but I'm enjoying the current face of Avalon, and I hope this atmosphere of hospitality continues.
I tend to avoid getting into debates anymore, and avoid reading the more negative gloom and doom threads, and that works much better for me.

But I used to jump into the fray more, and I have to say that I think it was good experience for me.
I think I've gotten to a point where I speak my own truth more without hesitation, and I've noticed that I've come to feel that it's really not all that important that I voice my opinion every time I have a strong one, unless there is a good reason to, which is a good sign.

Most of all, I appreciate the feeling I have that if there is something really important going on in the world, chances are good that I will hear about it here, and that's very reassuring.

[RunningDeer]

Posted by onawah (here)
I was sad to hear Chinaski's leaving, and I beg to differ with his own assessment of his intelligence. To be as entertaining as he is, you have to be quite intelligent.

Hello Onawah,

I agree Chinaski Mike is brilliant in his brilliance. And he’s a peach. I’m tickled that he stopped by before he headed to his cave. We’ll leave the light on for him.

But I was glad to see Padme will be posting more.

Me, too.

This was a very logical thread for WhiteCrowBlackDeer to start, as I have always found her presence here to be very warm and heart-based.

“Thank you,” she whispers and sniff, while stuffing her red hankie back into her farmer jeans pocket.

I'm one of the oldtime members, and I've seen the face of Avalon change so many times. I think it's in a good space now, and for me, proof is that I felt safe in posting 2 threads recently that kind of left my soft underbelly exposed, one about my kitty who has been ill, and one about being ill myself.

I was rewarded with many very helpful and supportive responses.

That is a powerful and supportive thread. I send an angel Samara’s way.

I think I've gotten to a point where I speak my own truth more without hesitation, and I've noticed that I've come to feel that it's really not all that important that I voice my opinion every time I have a strong one, unless there is a good reason to, which is a good sign.

Most of all, I appreciate the feeling I have that if there is something really important going on in the world, chances are good that I will hear about it here, and that's very reassuring.

Thank you for posting your perspective, Onawah. I’d encourage the new comers to continue to research the different threads. There is something for everyone.

With Heart,
WhiteCrowBlackDeer xo

[RunningDeer]

Signing off: My thanks to All that participated on this first day, including the seen and unseen. A special shout out to those Warriors that spoke from the heart. It takes courage to feel the fear and do it anyway. Fear now transmuted into action and Greater Light.

Love,
WhiteCrowBlackDeer

We Are Family.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=JytOdK5YWr8

“The Waltons - Good Night”

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=cp7_u0kcQRo

[jagman]

Posted by Paul (here)

Posted by Chinaski (here)
i too wish all the "silent" members would start participating

It's a bit ironic, Chinaski, that that would be your last post for a while .

Chinaski just asked me to retire his account ... something about trying to write a book, and being too distracted by the forum.

Best to your book writing, Chinaski. Let us know when you're ready to retire to a life of luxury on your author's royalties and return to the forum full time.

'

Chinaski, Get that book wrote and get back here. Your critical thinking and honesty
will be missed.

[Padmé]

I’m new and fresh each day. I never know what’s coming out of these fingers. So you don’t have to do any extra study to have a “mocha cappuccino visits”, cuz, We Are Family, Padmé. I can vouch for many that have posted here already are the same as me. Just give us a chance.

This applies to me too I think it's also part of a learning process, that today, I am not who I am tomorrow as I will have (hopefully ) learned more, been further inspired and gained wider perspective (and hey, I guess we're all going to have off days every now and then )

If you never contribute one more word, your post will echo for a long, long time. I’m touched by your honesty of feelings. Thank you for speaking for the Many. I hope you do post, you have a lot to offer.

With heart,
WhiteCrowBlackDeer xo

PS I changed the hand to a wave. It's one of my favorite smilies.

WhiteCrowBlackDeer Thank you so much for your kind words, starting this thread and already saving me from an embarrassing mistake haha. It is all very much appreciated

... and thank you Onawah too, I hope you and Kitty are both feeling better. Lots of love to you both

[Curt]

Good luck, Chinaski. Remember, as the great Buk once wrote, 'As the spirit fades, the form appears'. So keep it real.

But not too real. As Dave Chappelle reminds us, keeping it real can sometimes go wrong.

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/780208/

[Fred Steeves]

Posted by WhiteCrowBlackDeer (here)
Shhh, sometimes, I still hold my breath when I push the rely button.

Shhh, me too...

Posted by WhiteCrowBlackDeer (here)
I’ve lost count of how many posts I’ve written and rewritten and re.... only to not post. Grrrr..

Me too again Paula. This is the advice I try to follow myself, so it's likely good for a new member as well. #1 don't insult people of course. And beyond that, if it's something that you have direct experience of in the daily world, or if it's a thought that's coming from your heart that you feel the need to express, then roll with it. And remember, it doesn't matter whether you're a natural born writer or not, lots of people here can "see" the energy and intent behind your words.

On the flip side, if you find yourself keep having to rewrite and reword too much, or your thoughts just aren't flowing right like Paula expressed above, then best just to give it up, and not force it. It's likely left best unsaid, very subtle that.

As an aside, guess what you're doing when you practice this? You're honing your natural born ability of discernment. Learn to trust it, as it will serve you well, maybe even better than you can possibly imagine.

[Samsara]

Posted by WhiteCrowBlackDeer (here)

That is a powerful and supportive thread. I send an angel Samara’s way.

[With Heart,
WhiteCrowBlackDeer xo

I could have missed this, but did not. I guess I was guided to your hidden message. hehe.... Thank you WCBD! The Angel kept me safe in dreamland and I did not wake once last night!

I'm one of the quiet ones. I hang around the H&N and at Eceti... my two favourite threads. The Village is like roots and Eceti is like wings. And sometimes it's the other way around.

I don't talk much walking through Avalon, but I'm still right there with you. I see a lot and keep you all in my heart in times of sorrow and rejoice with you in times of joy. We are family.

[CdnSirian]

Posted by jagman (here)

Posted by Paul (here)

Posted by Chinaski (here)
i too wish all the "silent" members would start participating

It's a bit ironic, Chinaski, that that would be your last post for a while .

Chinaski just asked me to retire his account ... something about trying to write a book, and being too distracted by the forum.

Best to your book writing, Chinaski. Let us know when you're ready to retire to a life of luxury on your author's royalties and return to the forum full time.

'

Chinaski, Get that book wrote and get back here. Your critical thinking and honesty
will be missed.

Not to mention that vegan wheat grass cheesecake.