The Daunting prospect of opening up

So i'm quite new to TOTJO and indeed forums and the like.

I have been reading some of the threads and have been compelled to chime in but every time i've written something i find myself deleting it and going back to reading. I find myself a little intimidated by the eloquently written articles as i do not have the most educated background in terms of academics.

My knowledge has been largely gained through experience but my experiences have never led me to a place like this before. Its feels like a big jump, especially when you factor in the study side of it which is not a strong point for me. To open up and share my opinion here currently seems like an impossible task even though if we were in person i would have no issue with opening my mouth.

I guess i'm asking if anyone else has been in this situation and how they moved forward. Even if you haven't experienced it but have some advice please leave a comment.

Thanks

The Jedi Community itself has been around for well over 20 years! And TOTJO itself since 200...5? I believe it was 2005...(id have to re-check the archives) Due to this, there are alot of members who have long since solidified themselves and their beliefs in the way of Jedi and the passion of their beleifs show quite brightly in their posts and responses. Because of this, it is understandable that other's, more new to the Community might feel a bit intimidated.

Don't worry I have been around for a long time and I still can't keep up with the highly intellectual/philosophical threads. I as well, only have what Experiance and personal research has earned me. I don't even have a highschool diploma and I am now thirty years old and growing older. :laugh:

You will find though that the members here are understanding and very kind/great people (if not a bit passionate for some) Just jump right in and in time you will get the hang of things

Just Enjoy Doing It - JEDI :ohmy: :lol:

I started by mostly posting in my journal. Then I started my own threads rather than responding to others. You seem to have figured that part out too.

Some of my first ones were ridiculous. I started one asking what the little flags in the upper left corner were for. LOL How anyone has managed to take anything I say seriously since then is beyond me. :laugh:

Eventually I was able to respond and do more partaking.

As for writing up responses and then deleting them, I still do that. I've done that at least three times today alone.

So i'm quite new to TOTJO and indeed forums and the like.

I have been reading some of the threads and have been compelled to chime in but every time i've written something i find myself deleting it and going back to reading. I find myself a little intimidated by the eloquently written articles as i do not have the most educated background in terms of academics.

My knowledge has been largely gained through experience but my experiences have never led me to a place like this before. Its feels like a big jump, especially when you factor in the study side of it which is not a strong point for me. To open up and share my opinion here currently seems like an impossible task even though if we were in person i would have no issue with opening my mouth.

I guess i'm asking if anyone else has been in this situation and how they moved forward. Even if you haven't experienced it but have some advice please leave a comment.

Thanks

I have been here just short of a year and I still have this problem. I am getting better, however, as I get to know everyone. Just relax and post what you feel comfortable with, the rest will come with time.

You don't need a silver tongue to share good information Share it if you've got it! No one's going to harp on you for speaking more plainly. And honestly, most of the time the more plain and to-the-point you are, the clearer your message is.

Sit back, enjoy, listen, sip some *insert favorite beverage of choice here*, and when you feel comfortable, ask questions or offer what experience you have! No pressure. Whatever you feel comfortable with. I spent a long time listening and just writing in my journal and meeting people in chat before I really became active on the rest of the forums.

You and I have had conversations about this before... but lack of education doesn't mean a lack of understanding, it just means you might not know how to express that understanding as easily.
A very eloquent, long, and intelligent sounding post may actually be a lot of hot air hidden behind fancy words and grammar.
Knowledge is also about application, which you don't get without experience; all the knowledge in the world is useless if you don't use it.

Just post what you want to say (however you say it), that's all that matters to us

I barely made it out of high school, and went to summer school every year from middle school on... Because I was bored, and refused to show what I know as proof to anyone, who the hell are they to judge me, I mean... wait, sorry, I'll save that..

I read a lot... Used to read even more than I do now... I also learned most through experience...

I also observe, a lot, used to do this a lot less, lol...

The exchanges we have, are helping us to further along our paths... This exchange, this post, for example, besides the bad humor, forces me to evaluate myself a bit, and that wasnt something I had on my agenda for today, lol... Not like this anyway... Motorcycle classes tonight for me, the wife, and MnL... We are pumped, lol... IM licensed already, and hoping I dont look like a boob, lol... Worse than normal, anyway, lol...

And, I feel overwhelmed by these people and their fancy-schmancy words too sometimes, but, I simply ask what they mean, and look things up... I didnt even know what 'secular' meant when I joined, lol.. (in my, cough late 30's, cough)

Asking, when one doesnt know, shows intelligence, in my opinion... But, then what do I know, lolol...

And, as I told someone, 'just because I dont know the word "juggle", doenst mean I dont know how to juggle"... Throwing objects in the air and keep them rotating is what you are doing... "Juggling" is a word someone picked to mean that combination....

Edan wrote: A very eloquent, long, and intelligent sounding post may actually be a lot of hot air hidden behind fancy words and grammar.

"If dazzle them with brilliance you cannot, then baffle them with bull$#!? you may"

I'm pretty sure it was Yoda who said that... true story, ask the internet.

"just do it". Learn by doing. This is a safe place to learn, fail, explore and practice.

Personal experience is huge. it goes much farther than "philosophy" or "theoretical" answers. All have there place, put practical suggestions are encouraged - by me. for me, spirituality and jedi are practical ways of being. the more we can all express our experiences of that the better.

If you like, find someone that you trust and ask them to review any posts that you make. by inviting critic, you can improve - if you feel you have something to improve. who knows, what you write could be ultimately sublime. We could be learning from you.

Your "voice" matters. please just share it.