Newer People Outreach Idea

Aqua wrote: You have people who care about you

Maybe that's the part I don't feel like I have here (or really anywhere). Am I'm completely and positively aware that that's on me, not any of you.

Cracks are where the light shines through, but maybe there's some folk who have cracked so much there's just dust left.

Or maybe I'm just a melodramatic fool.

I am sorry to hear that. If I can help you, my door is always open, even if you only need a place to rant or shout at.. my door is and always wil be open for you. For now I stop posting in this thread as I feel that I have said enough.

It's my own fault.

It's come to my attention that maybe people in higher ranks think the lower ranks know more than we do.

I seem to be one of the more informed lower rank folk (or at least I was a few days ago)and here is what I know. Some old higher ups came back. They weren't Keen on the new ways. Some newer people weren't Keen on the old ways.

Somewhere in there someone, probably Hannigan or Mortose but I'm not sure, got banned.

Literally, that's all the information I have. If that's how it should be, that's cool. But if people think there's more info out there, well, it may not have trickled down like folk might be thinking it has.

I'll echo what others have said. What's happening now has been building for a while. It comes and goes in waves, but this one is by far the biggest and strongest I've seen. As much as I don't want to say as such, I don't think it's going to recede back any time soon this time, simply because I believe that the push for change has grown too large to be ignored any more. And it may get worse before it gets better.

To what you've just said though: what you know depends on who you know. Some will share more than others. I think it's important we all remember that none of us have the full story to anything and to be cautious against spreading rumors and gossip.

Mortose was, from what has been said, returned to a banned status. There is a discussion about Hannigan, but it is merely a discussion; no decision on anything has been made.

People have been leaving posts because of the growing pains associated with that wave and frustration that has built as a result. Even at this moment, I'm having a conversation with another apprentice over what the future may hold. But that's all conjecture at this point.

But you are not selfish for mentioning these concerns. All of us have a responsibility for tempering our reactions to these changes. And your suggestion is a good one. It will help newer members acclimate a bit better I think while we go through these changes.

Thank you River for bringing it up. Like the others, my inbox is open if you need to reach out. And I'll check in with you from time to time too

ReallyRiver wrote: It's come to my attention that maybe people in higher ranks think the lower ranks know more than we do.

I seem to be one of the more informed lower rank folk (or at least I was a few days ago)and here is what I know. Some old higher ups came back. They weren't Keen on the new ways. Some newer people weren't Keen on the old ways.

Somewhere in there someone, probably Hannigan or Mortose but I'm not sure, got banned.

Literally, that's all the information I have. If that's how it should be, that's cool. But if people think there's more info out there, well, it may not have trickled down like folk might be thinking it has.

As a newer-then-River person, I will say that's way, way more than I know. I can see multiple threads with Hannigan and see from the interactions there where he may have made friends or foes, but the rest of the stuff is a complete mystery. Therefore, seeing people post things out of the blue like, "You know what? I'M OUTTA HERE!" is confusing at best, and possibly disturbing to those who've been around a bit longer than me and see friends talking about leaving but don't know why.

Asakura Shoji wrote: As a newer-then-River person, I will say that's way, way more than I know. I can see multiple threads with Hannigan and see from the interactions there where he may have made friends or foes, but the rest of the stuff is a complete mystery. Therefore, seeing people post things out of the blue like, "You know what? I'M OUTTA HERE!" is confusing at best, and possibly disturbing to those who've been around a bit longer than me and see friends talking about leaving but don't know why.

Thank you for sharing. I can't imagine what it's like to see those kinds of posts out of the blue like that.

We are working on making this place better. Its been a rocky road to say the least. But we are here for you if you need to chat and get your worries off your chest. If anything, my Inbox is open for you if you need it.

Thank you for bringing this up, River. We live in an energetic universe, and we are all integral parts of it. What affects one affects all, to some degree. This is maybe more true here, where we are learning to reconcile this concept with the way we have been conditioned to see the world. And yeah, right now the energy around here is a little roiled up. It's a sad truth that the deeper you can see into the forum, the more discord becomes visible. All this is symptomatic of things that we need to deal with, like a sore throat signals something you need to treat.

But that's right now. And it'll pass. Just like a month ago, things seemed pretty calm and that passed too.

River, and anyone else who feels unsettled or unsafe because of these symptoms the Temple is experiencing, please don't hesitate to share your concerns. Talk to any Knight, Apprentice, Clergy member, anyone with whom you feel a rapport. There is not a single member of our Clergy who will not listen to you and support you through this. We can address your concerns without descending into complaining, or gossip, or vitriol. Talk in public in the threads, talk in chat, take it to PMs. My inbox is always always open, and I can rattle off the names of thirty good people around here who would tell you the exact same thing.

Maybe I'm naive or a terrible attractor of drama/gossip, but I haven't noticed the rift; because I'm not allowing myself to nurture the anxiety of the things I have no direct control over.

It's best to remind ourselves that life is a balance. Sometimes as a group we can be synergic and other times it's the compete opposite. I can't "do" for you, but i encourage you to stay and pursue your own journey of self growth. Remember, we understand things because of their relationships. Good and bad arise mutually, they are not causal. I have faith the Temple will return back to its center if we focus on the "here, now, and this." Let's keep an open mind, be mindful of our actions, and empower others to the utmost of our abilities.

And River, don't be so hard on yourself. Smile inside and out.

thomaswfaulkner wrote: Maybe I'm naive or a terrible attractor of drama/gossip, but I haven't noticed the rift; because I'm not allowing myself to nurture the anxiety of the things I have no direct control over. )

Well, one might also notice the rift without feeling particularly anxious about it. I notice it, but because I don't really know anyone yet I'm not experiencing the same reaction someone like River is (and her concern is valid). It's not like someone has to go looking very far when drama is spilling over onto the "My TOTJO" page with numerous "outta here" posts and seeping into seemingly unrelated threads all over the forums. I'd say the only people truly unaware that there's anything rumbling around here are perhaps following not following any new posts very closely.

I mean, you're aware now, at least, because you're posting in this thread that's telling you, "Hey, so, there's drama," right?

Certainly there are many who will let the drama flow by. However, it's also worth noting how pervasive it is at the moment and acknowledging that it can have an unintended impact on people who wouldn't otherwise be involved at all.