A return to roots.

[Human No More]

Thank you to everyone who is willing to help return ToS

This is what we need.

[SaphirJD]

well, and see it that way too, no response is no negative response, and it is also for sure not that easy to wrote back to some topic like that - why using time for writing about to change things.. when we can just do it

And the best start would be finally starting to life life without always including negative stuff.

Just grab your favourite cigaret, glass of wine, beer, music, book.. whatever... just grab it, go out into the sun and the wood and have fun - this space rock has for sure much to offer but that is of no use if people run like blind around, always focus on the bad stuff.

The bad stuff is dead, forgotten... Everyone got it? And now go out and start living Everyone of course

[iron_jones]

Originally Posted by Human No More

Thank you to everyone who is willing to help return ToS

This is what we need.

We're all here together, man. Let's positivity the **** out of this place.

[Fkeu'itan]

Originally Posted by Fighter-of-Wars

Anyway, if change is needed in the community, I think the best thing would be the change in attitude of the community, thats what makes ToS what it is. What has changed since the beginning when ToS was the promise land flowing with milk and honey? People have, we all change and as Avatar settled itself out into it's own little or big part of our life we have all changed. I'm not saying we need to go back to that, even though, that would be welcome to some. We just need to understand that many of us arn't the same as we were when Avatar first came into our lives. And respect that some of our old selves come out from time to time and forgive and understand that life has shaped everyone differently and to respect that.

QFT, very, very well said.

In truth, I don't know we can 'return' to "the" ToS, because sine it was formed, as FoW says, things have happened... people have changed, lives have changed, and for many the message of Avatar to them has changed with it... So ToS can't ever really 'go back', because people are always moving forwards.

That's not to say though, that we shouldn't make concious efforts to have a feeling of mutural respect here. The fact that we are moving forwards should not be an excuse for us to never look backwards. On the contrary, that feeling is something most definitely worth sharing. And in that time since ToS first came about, and since such life experiences we have all had in that time, there may be - nay, there is - a lot to discuss between us all and many stories to be told that can broaden everyone's horizon, if we're willing to listen and learn.

Theology is great, but nothing beats the telling of a true life story and what that meant for the person in question.

As Pa'li said, I don't like to play the blame game... But I feel Imay be percieved as one of these so-called 'architets', and if you percieve me as that, i'm sorry. I've f*cked up more times in the past 5 months than I can even count. I still f*ck up massively now on a regular basis, but I am only human, and honestly, i'm amazed that anyone at all would put up with what i've been doing as of late - so hats off to you for that in a long list of things... lately, life and it's questions for me has been somewhat rough, and no one deserved to have it take out on them... Whether I did so sub-conciously or at some times - conciously. Although I make no apologies for the person I am, or what I stand for.

No one should be apologising for being diverse, nor should they mould themselves into something they are not, to fit in with people's visions of what they should be... But again, that is not to say disrespect or ignorance of who they are or whom they are being is justified.

Let's not look back and mourn for something we think we've lost, scrabbling desparately to go back in time, to no avail... let us accept our forward motion and look to the future and imagine what it could be.

[Pa'li Makto]

Fkeu: That was a great post. We are very diverse people and sometimes without intending we can come into conflict with each other. Hopefully we can try to become more tolerant of each other's views and all but mistakes can happen and I do hope that we have learned something these last few months. As we are capable of making mistakes we are also capable of learning.

[Empty Glass]

I feel like I should have said something in here a while ago, but I'll admit I kept out of a lot of the serious discussions that took place recently. I don't know why, really. Maybe because I really try not to say anything that might lead to trouble (so apologies if I ever have at any time), and then end up not saying much at all.

I don't know what can be said in this thread that hasn't already been said in some very insightful posts here.

Well, I will say this: it appears that no one has left this site this week (as far as I can tell), and that makes me glad.

I just...care about this place a lot.

[Human No More]

It makes me glad too. Perhaps the feeling here is more resilient than it has sometimes been seen to be, as I am reminded with how quickly things have returned almost to normal. Yet, there is no reason to test how far things can be brought to an edge.

[Pa'li Makto]

Very true, I don't think any of us would want to risk dividing the community further after what has happened in the past week.

[Theorist]

I won't lie and say I never caused conflict. I did. I know it won't be easy to ignore ideological arguments either, because when someone says something hat goes against what your whole life stands for, it's hard not to want to retaliate. But, I will do my best to keep my cool, and stay out of personal debates. I realize now that I need to celebrate other people's differences, not simply tolerate them. And while that is easier said than done, I will work on it.

[Mune]

Originally Posted by Theorist

I won't lie and say I never caused conflict. I did. I know it won't be easy to ignore ideological arguments either, because when someone says something hat goes against what your whole life stands for, it's hard not to want to retaliate. But, I will do my best to keep my cool, and stay out of personal debates. I realize now that I need to celebrate other people's differences, not simply tolerate them. And while that is easier said than done, I will work on it.

With all due respect my friend- How secure are beliefs, if we must lash out to defend them. I'm not pointing this statement at you, but really at the whole of humanity.

There's an anger quote that goes;

"Always write letters to your enemies. Never mail them."

When one sees a quote that contradicts something that one has believed in the majority of their life, of course there will be a thought of 'retaliation'. But what is the value of the retaliation? What does anyone who retaliates hope to achieve? For them to suddenly alter their very perception of the subject?

Personally, I believe that beliefs should be held loosely. You should believe what makes sense to you. If your belief is challenged, then don't lash out. Simply present why you believe it. Some peoples minds are built on 'evidence'. Other's minds are built on 'tranquility'. Not everyone is going to get along. A proper debate is one in which two half-filled cups are willing to exchange waters and build upon the strength of said concoction in the cups.

I'm not lecturing as I also get incredibly annoyed at times. But as you're writing that chunk of text that you've spent 10 or so minutes writing, 'perfecting' it for maximum impact, think about your intentions.

If you're intentions aren't "This will constructively add to the conversation", then you're going to annoy someone else... I guess, in this respect, anger is like a nuclear bomb. Starts off with a single person, then after a few chain reactions, you've got a continent of well, 'friendship' being blown off the map.

I rambled a bit there. But I think I've added my opinion sufficiently.

[Human No More]

It's a great idea to have, but the main question is whether it holds up in reality... I think it can, but it's almost impossible to always do so.

[Theorist]

I can't control my emotions, only how to I react to them. I don't know why certain things make me feel certain ways (it'd be cool if I did). I'm just trying to work on the reacting part.

[iron_jones]

Originally Posted by Theorist

I can't control my emotions, only how to I react to them. I don't know why certain things make me feel certain ways (it'd be cool if I did). I'm just trying to work on the reacting part.

It's hard, man.
I'd say about 90% of the time I write a post and then decide to not post it usually because it's either me disagreeing with someone or I know people will strongly disagree with it.

[Pa'li Makto]

I think that happens to all of us. We all try to keep the peace.

[Theorist]

I definitely agree there, I just wrote a post, and went back and edited it over and over trying to make sure it was offensive. kinda frustrating, but it's how we have to go along to keep the peace for now.