Lydia, I apologize in advance for posting my thoughts on your thread, but I am compelled to express my feelings.
I hope you understand my friend, I must, you will not. My silent “ROCK”.
How did we get to this place? I do not understand? Nothing but FUN, that is all we ever wanted. I wanted more, for all to see and experience our Forum community. We all embarked on this contest with excitement and anticipation, some “temptresses” using clever n silly ways to sway friends n strangers for votes or attention to contest. Innocently, for FUN. Others maybe less so. It is hard to know such things, only “intentions” can answer such a question, and only they know.
It is not that a few “Cheaters” tried to take advantage of a Contest, the first of it's kind. With no road map, no guide showing us the way to a “perfect” contest, if such a thing is really possible. NO, It is what has happened to US ALL afterwards that weighs heavy on my heart.
I do not want to be writing this, I should be expressing my feelings and showering my emotions on another, but I CAN'T. My emotions hijacked by the distress I hear n feel all around me. Over WHAT? An EVENT, a contest, over that which was to bring us together, introduce us to new friends. How can this be? We are all human, all have feelings, expectations, dreams n fears. Many of us speak different languages, further complicating communications, leaving “thoughts” lost in translation. I wrote about the power and perils of “WORDS” but until this, had not considered the importance of “LISTENING”. The complexity of “translation” it's self. How much of the true “intent”, the “thought” is conveyed? I wonder? Words are so slippery, feelings so sensitive, each demanding our respect n understanding.
Those who “really” know me in here know I am if nothing else a creature of the heart; impulsive, unfiltered, a chatter box. I am here mostly for FUN, searching for the “unexpected”, no different than most. I stray away from public displays of “DRAMA” preferring discretion, but so many have been wrapped up into this tornado that I feel compelled to express my feelings publicly.
Please, STOP . Let us all take a deep breath, pause and remember why we are here? What is really important? This path leads to nothing but the dark-side, no different than cancer, spreading silently. We all need to find that hero in each of us to, the one that rises above the noise with a quite calm, understanding and the compassion for others. To have the courage to reach out, offer a hand, a hug whatever your heart tells you.
I see friendships at odds, being tested. Emotions n feelings caught up in uncertainty. MY friends, each hurting in their own way. Each expressing these feelings differently, some with art, or poetry or silence. You are each my friend, I am so sorry I have neglected this contest, my friends. I feel partly responsible, I have been SELFISH. I am after all a creature of the heart, and it has been touched by another. But I can't stand by , say nothing, do nothing. I CARE, I can't help it. I HATE this. What it is doing to those of you that have such influence in our world. You are examples to others, you share your voices so others can hear. What they hear becomes their world. Our world. These feelings, thoughts and ultimately “WORDS” have the POWER to shape the very world around US. We are responsible. We each choose.
My personal plea, I ask for a moment of reflection, a pause in the storm. Let the world, the noise slip away and look inside. Look for your own Army of One. Search your heart for what is important to you. I already know how this turns out, I am a Karma girl after all, I am an optimist and see the beauty and possibilities in others. We all choose how we see this world, I prefer to see it's beauty, It's BEST.
Live for your family, lovers n friends, not for any other.
Kaitlyn
