Peace, Love and STJ
Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:40 am
Sometimes we forget to tell those closest to us how much we appreciate them.
In many ways this forum is like a family and sometimes family can disagree. It's tempting in those moments to focus too much on the little negative things rather than the overwhelmingly positive ones.
While I know this is just a travel forum for some, I think I speak for many of us when I say that it has become much more to many others.
I have never been much of a "joiner." I generally like to march to my own drummer and to be where people are not. I skipped my first ever forum gathering because I was too chicken to put myself out there. The next time I had the opportunity I didn't pass it up. I was anxious and nervous and worried what people would think of me.
Turns out I was worrying about nothing. It was there that I met up with Ruth, STJ Mike, Jan & Mike, ScubaGirl and many, many others.
Through this forum I have organized boat trips with virtual strangers and formed bonds with people who I would have never met otherwise.
Jan helped me get thru hosptializations with asthama and this forum helped me heal after the loss of my father, my horrible experience near the Pentagon on 9/11 and recently, the loss of a beloved pet.
I've made some very good friends on this forum (you know who you are) and even more acquaintances that I wouldn't mind having a beer with -- even those with whom I may not always agree. I am in awe of some of you folks for your wit, humor and with the zeal with which you lead your lives.
I'd like to think that I've paid that comraderie forward by welcoming new folks as they join, providing thoughtful responses to questions (more often than not), sending Birthday wishes, providing shopping and bug spray advice and even helping a fellow forumite communicate with key embassy staff when her brother was caught up in coup in Madagascar!
This is an amazing collection of people in one place and the world being what it is we might have passed one another by without a second thought if it weren't for this amazing forum.
While I do have an incredibly busy life, this forum and the people who post here regularly are a part of my life that I enjoy very much. I appreciate what everyone has to offer especially when it's meant in good fun and with the best of intentions.
None of us are perfect and I am certainly guilty of posting something before really thinking about how I am saying it or how it may come across (haven't we all?). But folks here keep me honest and those who know me well enough know that it is never intended with malice. Candor and hubris? Yes, absolutely! But never with malice.
I think that at the end of the day we can all recognize the good and true stuff in one another and we can reward that while ignoring the limited negative stuff.
As my pals ScubaGirl, Flip Flop and Vicki will tell you I am a sap, but what I say is from the heart:
Thank you for all that each of you brings to this forum. What we have here is a really good thing and it can't be found everywhere (kinda like STJ itself).
I can't wait to meet everyone on the 21st. IF you're on the fence or worried,about what people will think of you.. DON'T BE! If it's anything like the last forum gathering I attended I expect to come away with that experience with even more great friendships.
So thank you to everyone who has found this place and who humor us by sharing your advice, your lives and your adventures. This is an amazing group of talented and extremely special people and I, for one, am richer for the experience here with all of you.
(((HUGS)))
Gromit
PS. A quote from one of my favorite artists and poets, Brian Andreas:
"They came to sit & dangle their feet off the edge of the world & after a while they forgot everything but the good & true things they would do someday."
Peace Love and STJ. See you all on he flip side in just a few days
In many ways this forum is like a family and sometimes family can disagree. It's tempting in those moments to focus too much on the little negative things rather than the overwhelmingly positive ones.
While I know this is just a travel forum for some, I think I speak for many of us when I say that it has become much more to many others.
I have never been much of a "joiner." I generally like to march to my own drummer and to be where people are not. I skipped my first ever forum gathering because I was too chicken to put myself out there. The next time I had the opportunity I didn't pass it up. I was anxious and nervous and worried what people would think of me.
Turns out I was worrying about nothing. It was there that I met up with Ruth, STJ Mike, Jan & Mike, ScubaGirl and many, many others.
Through this forum I have organized boat trips with virtual strangers and formed bonds with people who I would have never met otherwise.
Jan helped me get thru hosptializations with asthama and this forum helped me heal after the loss of my father, my horrible experience near the Pentagon on 9/11 and recently, the loss of a beloved pet.
I've made some very good friends on this forum (you know who you are) and even more acquaintances that I wouldn't mind having a beer with -- even those with whom I may not always agree. I am in awe of some of you folks for your wit, humor and with the zeal with which you lead your lives.
I'd like to think that I've paid that comraderie forward by welcoming new folks as they join, providing thoughtful responses to questions (more often than not), sending Birthday wishes, providing shopping and bug spray advice and even helping a fellow forumite communicate with key embassy staff when her brother was caught up in coup in Madagascar!
This is an amazing collection of people in one place and the world being what it is we might have passed one another by without a second thought if it weren't for this amazing forum.
While I do have an incredibly busy life, this forum and the people who post here regularly are a part of my life that I enjoy very much. I appreciate what everyone has to offer especially when it's meant in good fun and with the best of intentions.
None of us are perfect and I am certainly guilty of posting something before really thinking about how I am saying it or how it may come across (haven't we all?). But folks here keep me honest and those who know me well enough know that it is never intended with malice. Candor and hubris? Yes, absolutely! But never with malice.
I think that at the end of the day we can all recognize the good and true stuff in one another and we can reward that while ignoring the limited negative stuff.
As my pals ScubaGirl, Flip Flop and Vicki will tell you I am a sap, but what I say is from the heart:
Thank you for all that each of you brings to this forum. What we have here is a really good thing and it can't be found everywhere (kinda like STJ itself).
I can't wait to meet everyone on the 21st. IF you're on the fence or worried,about what people will think of you.. DON'T BE! If it's anything like the last forum gathering I attended I expect to come away with that experience with even more great friendships.
So thank you to everyone who has found this place and who humor us by sharing your advice, your lives and your adventures. This is an amazing group of talented and extremely special people and I, for one, am richer for the experience here with all of you.
(((HUGS)))
Gromit
PS. A quote from one of my favorite artists and poets, Brian Andreas:
"They came to sit & dangle their feet off the edge of the world & after a while they forgot everything but the good & true things they would do someday."
Peace Love and STJ. See you all on he flip side in just a few days
