To all Members of this Thread

This is an open letter, of my thoughts, to members of this thread, mainly because it is not referring to any one in particular, but thoughts that, hopefully, if you agree, we may keep in mind when corresponding with each other. If we don't agree, then I'll just go away into my corner and consider myself suitably chastised. I consider each of you as friends, not all at the same level, but there is certainly no animosity between me and anyone else, from my perspective. However there is a genuine wish and desire to engage in communication that is realistically encouraging, nurturing, supporting, helpful, kind, ......and the list goes on.

• We are all a bit like school kids in the playground. Unfortunately, the stressors, that we all have to cope with, bring out those, mostly, long forgotten reactions. We get a huff up about something and then we're not friends for a day or two. Then magically, a few days later, the whole thing has blown over and things are back to "normal" again.

  Thank goodness that happens.

• Yes, unfortunately, when we think we are being open and engaging, with a person with whom we feel that we can approach in a particular way, we find that the comment has been taken as a personal affront, because of sensitivity. We are all sensitive, and we all need nurturing and support. No-one has a monopoly on those feelings. But we also need to step back occasionally and ask ourselves

  "Is the other person to blame for my feelings, or, am I and should I, be taking personal responsibility for how I feel".

• “Walking on eggshells” is not a particularly pleasant way to communicate in any form, but, particularly here, we need to give each other a bit of leeway, and not be quite so brittle. And I believe that is even more the case on this thread.

• We all, on this site, seem to respond favourably to pats on the back and messages of sympathy, etc, but “heavens above”, that's not all all there is to life and, to my way of thinking, if that's all there is in this place, then it's reduced to being a pretty shallow and insubstantial environment.

• These may be pretty strong words, but if we are going to make this place a welcoming, comfortable, cajoling, humorous (instead of humourless), nurturing, supporting, pleasant environment, we need to look towards caring for each other, as well as ourselves.

• Indeed, I think the two walk hand in hand.

   

  With that, I hope that I have not got myself kicked out of the playground.

   

  With My Very Best Wishes to Everyone

  @HenryX