Do you care ??

[The_Lady_Snow]

Originally Posted by Merlin

About people who post on here ??

I care in a way that I like to read about the people here so that I can see other's experiences, thoughts, ailments, happiness, everyday life is like. I learn about humor, likes and dislikes, their families habits etc. It's like a small book of facts and sometimes it's nice to have that to fall back on if something comes along and you want to reach out and say hi and let someone know you do pay attention. Now, there are some people I have more heart strings attached to the caring, some I talk to on a daily or interact with on a daily, I've either met them or interact with them be it daily, once a week or month there is something about them that has a special compartment in my heart. I'm more invested with these folks since it's an equal balance for both and friendships, family ties are in the making or have been made.

I mean really ??

As I said above it depends since there are people I would never associate with due to differences in culture, racism, fat phobias, trans phobia and flat out ignorance. I'm pretty stern about setting boundaries with those kinds of folks be it here or in my non computer world.

Forums sometimes can feel so impersonal and distant ..

I guess depends how you have learned to maneuver yourself in them, sometimes forums can be very personal and deep and you end up with some amazing friendships and chosen family, other forums are not so warm feeling and tend to be on the yuckier side of things.

It's like a faceless friend and yet so many forums are used the world over to make a connection with others.

Before meeting people and the way technology is I still had deep affection for the people I have now, getting out and meeting them, going to events. or just picking up the phone, yahoo, Face Book and other social networks have made it possible to keep friendships strong with those I've yet to meet and hug physically other than that their place in my life is just as important as those I have and spend time with.

Thoughts ??

Do you care about the people in your neighborhood Merlin?

[NJFemmie]

I care. I am just very careful "how" I care. I enjoy being online because I not only enjoy interacting with others, but I get to gauge the interaction. I can care without getting too involved. I can meet new people without necessarily meeting them, and that's okay. I can also meet people if I so choose and that's cool too. I don't necessarily "know" most people on here, but I care what happens to them - good or bad.

I've met some great people and I have met some not so great people being online. Yet, I love the fact it exists because I wouldn't be able to interact with most of you otherwise.

[Corkey]

I grew up without the electronic devices some here take as their everyday convenience.
Had to do math, trig, the old fashion way, pencil and a piece of paper.
I did not get a computer until I was well in my 40's, at least 10 years ago.
So what has this to do with the topic you ask?
Communicating on a personal level isn't just eyeballs and touch-screens, it has to be deeper, and those of us who now use this form of communication must be aware that not all of us grew up with the privilege of calculators, gps, twitter, and FB. We actually had to talk to people.
Fast forward to today. How I operate here is how I operate face to face, because communication is still an art form.

[Merlin]

I am a carer.
My job is in care.
I care for those around me and animals.

I care how a peron feels.
I care about their dreams,aspirations,goals and them as a whole.

I am forever caring.

[Andrew, Jr.]

Merlin,

I am one of those people who care too much. It is a curse instead of a blessing. I have been hurt more than I can count in all honesty.

[LaneyDoll]

I read this once and I think this sums it up for me (for the most part.)

Dear Friend's

People ask, "How can you be friends with someone you've never met?"
I tell them, "You've never been online I bet!"

It's something people offline will never understand.
You open up your heart to friendship with your typing hands.

It's a world full friendship at your finger tips, there is so much online,
it only takes a heart to reach people with your touch.

First you start out online, surfing all around.
Next thing you know a great friend will be found.

You will chat a lot and surf cyber space.
Soon it will be your second home, a comforting, special place.

A Friend to share your dreams and your tears
and to help each other wipe away life's fears.

You will share life together and help each other along
You will make it thru bad weather because friendship is so strong.

No matter how far apart you go, your keyboards will keep you together,
and in your heart you will know you don't need a face to be a true friend forever.

So, How do you explain this to people who've never been online?
I guess it takes a gesture of friendship & a little bit of time.

So let's start by sending this around and passing our special touch.
A smile, a website, a gesture starts it all becoming friends doesn't take much.

[bigbutchmistie]

I Care

For those who have done nothing but daily show me their friendship. I have lots here who email text or phone. Most I've never met. Some I have lol

I dont care for drama. And choose to be selective about who I allow in my every day life.

[Andrew, Jr.]

I cannot remember the title, but Rosie has the book. In the book there was a part about telling the truth to others. When people asked how you were to be honest. Tell them your back hurts, your m.s. is flairing up & you have to go to the grocery store and really don't feel like going, or you just got diagnosed with Lupus. I know I know...most will back up 100 feet and answer the question as most do (fine thanks and you?). This time I say just be real, honest, and put it out there. But that is just me being real. I would rather be me, and be real then otherwise.

[MasterfulButch]

I care.

An online community is like any other with a cross-section of people all with a myriad of different needs and intentions. True, some of those are incompatible with me and vice versa but there’s nothing wrong with that. Stripping out those mismatches, I believe there remain many genuine individuals who have ideas I want to hear, jokes I want to laugh at, experiences to guide me and the humanity to offer heartfelt support when life challenges us. I believe it’s a fundamental human need to connect in this way and how could I possibly say that a connection with them is somehow less because I type and read rather than talk and listen? It’s about the intention behind the words and I know that mine, and plenty of others, are genuine. So yes, I do care and I’m glad to have the chance to be a part of this community.