Wealthy Affiliate Community - A Bittersweet Blessing
So often I've been stuck and needed a question answered in order to continue. It seems that I always find someone on here who can tell me what I need to know.
As we chart our days at WA, we meet like-minded people who become friends and who make it a pleasure to return to the community again and again. These people seem like family after a while.
We share the belief that we will find our way to success. We benefit from the positive outlooks of many people who travel the same road as we, and their friendship and belief in their journey strengthens our own determination.
Then, as time passes, one by one our family members disappear. Oh, yes, they are replaced by new friends, but it is sometimes very hard to see old friends leave.
At first, we all say we'll never quit WA. But then, life takes over, and some people leave for a different opportunity or for a variety of reasons. Perhaps their website has become so large, busy, and complicated that they drift away from the community so they can use all their time for building their site.
Every time another friend fades away, we have to let go of that friendship -- it's not that we stop being friends; it's just not a good idea to mourn for what has now passed.
A residue of sadness remains. Folks we saw online and spoke to every day have now gone on to something new. Where are they? Will we ever hear from them again?
It's hard to see them go. I wish we had some kind of directory of members that we could refer to if we wanted to find someone. However, in a community as large as ours, it's not practical to consider such an idea.
Therefore, we move forward on our journey, and we must accept that some of our WA family will leave us. We can only hope their journey takes them to their dreams and goals, and that perhaps somewhere down the road we will meet again.
Or perhaps not -- for we now travel different roads. We must take the bitter with the sweet and let go at the proper time. It's good to remember the happy moments we shared with these friends, though, because those times are part of what makes the WA experience such a fine one.
We must not take these friends for granted, but we must enjoy our journey with them for as long as possible and wish them well on whatever new path they make on their personal journey. Though we mourn their loss, we cherish all our other WA friendships.
Recent Comments
74
So true, Fran! I haven't been as active on here as I once was 4 years ago when I joined, but I'm still here and working behind the scenes. That might be the case with some of the other members here too. But...I do miss the friends that I had when I arrived. Some of them experienced life events like hurricanes, loss of a job or a spouse, health challenges, or increased responsibilities that have changed their directions.
I continue to celebrate the friends I have here and always welcome new ones. So onward we go! :)
Thanks for the post, Fran.
Continued success to you!
Colleen
You have made a good point -- it's important to be aware that we always have folks on here to give us cause for celebration, no matter how many friends we lose.
Yes, it is a unique work environment, however, we can still keep in touch via email or many have become friends on the dreaded FB.
You're right though, people fade in/out for various reasons but there is never a time when I ever feel alone when I drop in.
~Debbi
A family, huh- I see. That is great, attitude of such are why this place is quite good most of the time. I tend to look at it as a business community where people dont seem to be competing against each other even if they end up in the same niche- you dont know how liberating that is. And as a business community you may never really get close to many but may get lucky enough to even meet some in person in other countries- meaning you take whatever comes your way. Lucky few friends or none at all all under the banner of a friendly community - that is somewhat quite great aint it 🌞 👌
I have never looked at WA as a "family" and never will. It's business and education that involves a bunch of nice people. I have been a member here for over six years, with breaks, and I don't see a single name among the active posters and contributors that I would remember from six years ago. Well, except Kyle and Carson. Others are gone or gone quiet.
Everything that starts ends.
Well, you have an attitude that will keep the "bittersweet" from hitting you. It is business and education, but it is also a remarkable community. Perhaps you have not interacted via email as much and so have not made the strong friendships that some of us have.
Apparently your method works for you, and that is well. Some of us just get more involved with the people while we learn the business. Whatever cranks your boat.
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Ohhh Fran,
You are so loving and sensitive, this is what they call human touch even we are all in our own business!
I love being part of our WA community, as not only we learn each other's like a real family.
This is a second home for me, the sincerity from the beginning and the support, also the encouragement of each other is so heartfelt!
Many thanks Fran for reminding me how phenomenal our community!
joce
You know, the people here are very important to me. I got on WA strictly for the purpose of business and to have the opportunity to write. I found more than I bargained for. I feel the human element is a very important part of our community.
Yes indeed Fran and love it too and thanks to your blog to remind us that this is really a community of family mind, caring each other and cheering too!
Have a good Sunday Fran and see you around!
joce
Yep, I'll be here. Thanks for commenting.
You are welcome Fran.
Have a nice Sunday
joce
Fran, I am right there with you. 🤗
Very well said.
Cassi
Thank you, Cassi!
You are welcome, Fran.