Untitled - No disclaimers needed
On the flip side of my other blog today 'Back to business (An 'on topic' blog)...A title which was meant to be ironic to what i have witnessed in the last 48 hours.
I write very sad that today, for the first time since I joined this, what I considered wonderful, supportive, network, I have deleted a comment made because of the replies I received back. The irony was the post was about 'Bullying within WA'. My response which was written in all good spirit of free speech, compassion and understanding, and with no argument, was met with a harsh WARNING and some who felt the need to reply with a comment which was long enough to be a whole other blog.
There appears to be a war brewing, with two camps (can't help it but I hear the Frankie Goes to Hollywood tune 'Two tribes go to war),and I feel like I have returned as the Mother standing asking, can't we all just get on? Is that what we all really need right now? The energy in here seems to be one of rage, anger, quoting rules and the need for the community to be policed!
In the space of the 48 hours that I have been back active here in the community, I have read a blog about blogs being removed due to bullying, a blog about feeling that they have nothing to contribute, and now I have felt upset enough to just check out and remove a comment.
I appreciate there is a global pandemic going on. Most of us are now isolated and in some kind of quarantine and that is stressful.
I understand some people come on to vent and rage, others come here to blog about toilet roll shortage, their dogs, cars, or take on life. Many come here to offer updates on progress, helpful tips, training, and of course cold hard facts on affiliate marketing. All is fine with me. I love reading it all. I love our diversity and individuality. What I loved most of all was the sense of welcoming community spirit. The tolerance to allow inexperienced writers to practice their blogging skills, even if that is about a walk on a beach or that their website has had its first visitor.
Maybe it is time for this community to be 'policed' by independent administrators? It is a real shame. I hope not, I am a true believer in freedom of speech, but the alternative of equal members riding in like Sheriffs policing others and enforcing what they believe are 'the rules' is just not acceptable either. I have never got any impression that the creators prohibit us from writing about anything other than religion and politics?
For now, at this already difficult time, I offer this... Please just write your blogs NO DISCLAIMERS. We all have a choice whether we open and read a blog. If you want 'business', read business, go to the training section, follow those who write those kind of blogs.If you want social connection, read and connect on the social posts, simples.
The months I was just allowed to blog here about anything, have contributed no end to the development of the writing for my two websites. Let's not make people feel they have nothing to offer or write about if they have no expertise or milestones yet, as every single member has themselves to offer, their own personal, wonderful point of view on this crazy world.
Let's welcome and encourage and embrace every member, and allow them to come to this community with respect and the ability to learn in the open supportive community that I experienced when joining a year ago.
I offer nothing but Love
Sara
Recent Comments
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I agree with you Sarah. Love is the bottom line. Accept and be accepted. To its very confusing when the battle of the wits goes sour. Emotions have taken over and it can never end well. I think time out is a good idea if they are bullying. There needs to be some training on conflict resolution online. I might write it. See how I go for time. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate was feeling the same way. Jen
Hi Jen, wonderful to hear from you. I think conflict can just be resolved by respecting and honouring that we all may have very differing opinions. They are all right from the point of view of the perceiver. We just need to communicate that in a way that acknowledges this, with respect, compassion and gratitude. If we all believed the same things, thought the same way it would be a very dull world. 'Love is the bottom line' my friend xx
Hi Sara,
I think that many people are frustrated or depressed because they are locked in the house. So, they vent online, unfortunately here on WA.
However, they are the minority so far, there are still many wonderful people out here who kept their positive spirits.
Everyone who is feeling frustrated should stop for a moment and see everything they should be grateful for.
Many have stockpiles of food, toilet paper, a roof over their heads, electricity, wifi, t.v., netflix, music, and hey, lots of time to do what they came here to do, work on their websites!!
Not every country can manage long quarantaines. Here in Mexico many people lost their jobs and they get no monetary support from the government. I have no idea how they are going to get through this, but I read that violence has increased in some states here due to increasing poverty which is caused by our situation. The dollar skyrocketed (yes, I've been mentioning this a lot lately, because it is affecting us worse), and I could go on.
So, I don't understand why people have to be so negative and bullying. Most of us already have a lot going on ...
All that anger and rage should be dealt with alone, not with others. People should count their blessings. It's difficult for most of us here. Why make it more difficult, right?
Very true, some perspective and gratitude is needed. My son is now sick with symptoms and whilst I am scared, he is scared, so all the petty goings on here at WA no longer worry me. All I know is that many are stuck in fear, and that is what is causing the new energy here.
I have the fortune to care for my son, in a warm home, with cupboards full of food. My job has been retained and my government is paying me to just stay at home.
In those moments of pause and gratitude an awareness of how it is not like this for everyone and I send every human love and the wish that they will stay well, be fed, warm and safe. Unfortunately I know this will not be the case.
Sending you are the wonderful people of Mexico much love. Stay well my friend and thank you so much for taking the time to comment. : )
Hi Sara,
I just saw your comment now ... I hope that your son is getting better! This must be so scary. How is he doing now?
Hi Christine, thank you so much for stopping by to comment and ask after my Son. He is getting much better every day, thank you.
I think that those disrepectful comments shouldn't be a reason to stop contributing your knowledge to WA members, or worse, leave WA.
What do you do when a customer o client comes to your place and denigrates your service or products?
If your business is online, what do you do when you receive insults about your product or service?
Do you close your place, shutdown your website?
I can assure you, that you won't do that!
You would probably, analize the comments, even if harsh. If they are in reason, you would make the necessary changes. A good businessperson would do it.
If the insults are unjustified, denigrating, insulting, you will just keep on with your business, and could even seal or block that person from entering your place or visiting your website.
But, you will keep in business. For every ranting person there are dozens that are beautiful people.
Stay with the WA community.
For now, I am caring for my son who has developed symptoms. Everything else in this weeks pales into insignificance.
My online business will continue without me needing to worry about it, or tend to it. It runs along nicely without my contribution or intervention.
Thank you so much for your kind and wise words. For now I am pausing, checking out and tending to far more important things, like holding, caring and loving my son.
Much love my friend, hold those you love close xx
This is so very true! i can count the bad customers I've had on one hand! It's all about how one handles it. I've had a physical business approaching 30 years now which involves dealing with the customers face-to-face. Internet business bad customers will be a "walk in the park" by comparison. If they don't like me or what I right, they are free to leave, and the same applies to me when I enter their blog post! Simple.
Jeff
Well said lady,
Too much time on their hands.... it’s never been a problem and apparently the policing is from older members...who would have seen the newbies write about anything and everything in previous years, what has changed? Time....
Never the less the majority are offering excellent advice and support as always.
Xxx
👍👀
Ah our old friend time, mixed with fear the new friend isolation! This too shall pass and the elders will smile : )
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And you should continue being the way that you are Sara--no need to change. the haters are always gonna hate. Just like if they don't like what we write, they can read something else, if we don't like a comment they make about us, no worries, we can ignore them and delete the post! See? We all really can still get along--it just might take a little more "prodding" than we were used to!
Great post--Thanks for sharing!
Jeff
Wise words Jeffrey, Thank you
Thank you, Sara! Stay safe!
Jeff