posted August 08, 2004 08:51 AM         

She thinks to herself, should I respond and say what I'm feeling right now? Or should I just let it go like usual, and let those concerned sort out their issues themselves, like I usually do, to stay out of the drama and flit about in my happy, butterlfy Aquarian land?

Her Aries rising and Leo moon get the better of her, and she decides to post what she's feeling, not caring if people take it badly or respond with more negativity. She really has to say something.... so here is what she says:

''I have come to this place to find a wonderful group of people who's thoughts, feelings and insights have made a difference in my life. I talk to my friends about the people I have met here, I tell stories and jokes, and opinions and of course the astrological secrets I yearned to know of before finding this blessed sancuary. I have been inspired, nursed, and welcomed by many people whom, although I may never meet in the flesh, I feel know more about me than many in the flesh mates. I have been saddened, grief stricken, touched and uplifted to hear about these people's joys and difficulties. I never feel ashamed of my thoughts, or judged for my actions, or the need to only show what is acceptable. Because as far as I've encountered so far, most things are acceptable. All these people who have endeared themselves to me have been nothing but real, something that is sooo hard to find these days. All that said, I know everyone is entitled to their opinions, that whatever we believe is ours, and although we may not agree on certain things, that we respect each others differences. We know what we can say to certain people, and what not to say to others who may not want to read about it. We know where we go for support, we find it in each other very often, and I don't think I'm alone in feeling this way. Hasn't everyone who has come here, come here because Linda has come into our lives in some way? Or if this place was found through some other way for others, haven't they felt too that they have found a great place to discuss their passions without hesitation? Without feeling they are going to be rejected or repremanded? Maybe I am the only one who sees LL this way, but I truly don't know what I'd do without it. Everyday I wake up and hop on my PC to come here and see how my friends are. I worry about them, care about them, and wish them nothing but happiness.

My point is, I have always appreciated the fact that we are a big quilt with many patches, all different colors, from all different parts of the world. But I know we are united in the fact that we have each other. Sometimes some patches are stitched very tightly, others are more loose, and others still are hanging on by a thread, but without them the quilt would not be complete. We all have our differences, and we don't all have the same values, morals, social standing, past experiences, etc... but where in the world is there a place where everyone always agrees? Show me where and I'll give you a dollar....(all I can offer, I am a student...).

I appreciate all that, but it really saddens me when things escalate beyond just sharing opinions, and disagreeing. I am trying to be as Switzerland about this as possible, as to say that we are entitled to our differences and then be irked when it happens doesn't seem that fair. But there is a fine line between having a heated discussion, and then just being viscious. I desperately want all this to be sorted out, however it may happen, but it doesn't seem to be going anywhere good.....

I'm for one, not sorry if I like to drink beer, or that I make jokes about boobies, or that sometimes discussions end up being risque, that's me. That's the me I was when I first came here, and that's the me I am now. I have never felt this was an issue, and have personally felt very comfortable saying what's on my mind. If that offends anyone, that's unfortunate. But I have had no problems listening to what anyone else feels, and have found that is the beauty of LL. We all share ourselves here, and we all accept who we all are. Or, so it seemed.... I'm not sure if I'm making the point I want to, but I'm trying to say, please don't let what is such an important thing to me become tainted and awkward. Please let it continue being the loving, supporting and squishy quilt I've come to love so much.

Thanks for listening...''

Finishing her prose, she got up and refilled her water bottle, and prepared to visit Astral Realms, to share a strange dream she had the night before. She knew she could, because she knew there would be those who would offer insight and love....

posted August 08, 2004 10:55 AM         

Even the tighest of families bickers, quarrels, and fights. To deny that those qualities are generally a part of our human nature, is folly, and I mean that with the deepest regard. When a family grows as large as LL, conflicting egos and opinions are bound to stir things up now and then.

I don't see LL as a quilt. I see it as an organism with its own life and breath, growing as it will. Why, we even like to look at LL's birthdate to see when it was born. LL is our host, we are the parasites that feed off it, or nurture it, we are part of its growth.

Life is never, ever static, whether we like it or not. Life is beyond our control, the only thing we can control is our reaction to our lives.

Sometimes we don't like what happens in our lives and sadly, we have to either learn to accept and love, or move on.

Generally I feel the same about LL. This place has its own chart, its own transits, its own difficulties. It will change and morph as it grows, it will not be static, and perhaps some day, it will die.

LL was and is a place of great beauty, just like this planet earth, another host on which we are the parasites. We are wise and we are stupid, we create beauty and we create ugliness, we are the Yin and Yang and somewhere balance will be found.

LL is not lost. It is perhaps in a state of flux. Don't let what you perceive to be negativity deter you. Continue to be the light that you are. That's what I plan to do. I am secure in my life and beliefs, and willing to be open to change and new perspectives. I will drink and copulate happily when I choose to, and happily allow others to not drink or copulate when they choose. I know my own truth, and have no desire to impose it on others. Some here will like me, some will not. C'est la vie...c'est la mort. Oh btw, a side note. Speaking of la mort, I was told the French call orgasm'la petite mort,' or 'the little death.' Cool.

I know a lot of Knowflakes consider LL a haven, a respite from their lives. It is, and can continue to be so. But rather than be rigid in projecting what we think LL should be...perhaps we should be a tree in the wind, willing to bend and sway, and learn from what LL is, as it continues to unfold. 'Cause the past, it never comes back.

Peace, lovelies. Make Love, Not War.
Change your perspective and you change the world. Pass that doobie, brother.

posted August 08, 2004 04:13 PM         

Remember that the people who post here are just human. Don't put them on guru pedestals, don't take what they say as absolute fact - not even if they happen to think they are the all knowing oracle. Some people try to make themselves spiritually superior so they can feel better about themselves. Those that have the "knowing" would never dream of drawing attention to it.
Do all that and you'll not be so sad about the changes.

posted August 09, 2004 07:16 AM         

Trillian,
I know, it's just that I felt like saying something about how I felt about all the arguing going on. I know it's like a family, and not everyone is going to get along, but the saddest thing I found this morning was that things had progressed to even greater heights of anger... I guess I have to get over it, but as an Aqua girl with a Libra/Mars and Libra in my 4th house, I always want things to be balanced, and for people to be fair with each other. Too much of a peacemaker, I guess. Peace to you too, sister.... I'll take that doobie! teehee

Gia,
I do appreciate that, but like I just told Trillian, it's hard for me sometimes to deal with anger and aggrivation. I like my waters with waves, but tidal waves scare me when I'm in my little boat!! I'm always afraid once things kick off, some people won't be able to let things lie, and something really explosive will happen...WCS...

Stacey,
Awww, shucks. Just sharing my feelings, glad you appreciated them. And yes, the bagel was quite yummy..... (Homer Simpson voice UHHHH....BAGEL...DROOL....

posted August 09, 2004 07:30 AM         

I hate the negativity that's come here, too, Ghanima. Let's all joke and have fun, I'll join in. But if I gotta listen to REAL drinking stories, and REAL f**king stories, under the banner of Linda Goodman, then I'm outtie. 'Cause I could get that at the local BAR.

posted August 09, 2004 09:12 AM         

Eat another bagel. Love and live and be well. Judge not.

We're all here for different reasons. Linda is a common denominator, but we have all searched for and found our own truths. I don't believe in the sort of spiritual consequences you subscribe to...I don't buy into everything Linda was selling either, but it doesn't change my love and respect for her.

If you leave here 'cause people are performing natural bodily functions that you feel the need to condemn, because they don't conform to your spiritual criteria...then go and be well. Find a place for yourself where you will be happy. There are no chains in LindaLand.

If you stay...be gentle. Stay out of conversations that you don't like, if you must.

There are three rules in life. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. The third is to be kind.

posted August 09, 2004 09:37 AM         

paras ~ That's just it, my friend. You don't have to listen to the drinking and fu*king stories. Ignore them! Click on another thread. It certainly seems to upset you so why cause yourself undue stress? Frankly, I don't enjoy those stories myself. At 33 my club-hopping days are long gone. This will probably be no big surprise to many of the people here but I am possibly the most Victorian-minded, anal-retentive, rigid person I know. And yet, here I am.

posted August 09, 2004 10:16 AM         

Good on ya ghanima81

posted August 09, 2004 10:42 AM         

<groan>

As if the bagel issue wasn't enough! Why do I always have some weird synchronicity going on with some Knowflake or another? Just yesterday, I was standing in the checkout line at Wal-Mart, when I noticed that two full rows of the candy rack had been taken over by low-carb confections.

I did an unusual thing. I bought a candy bar! A Peppermint Patty, if you want to know. A normal Peppermint Patty.

posted August 09, 2004 10:43 AM         

Paras,
I think I adressed most things in your thread. Okay, deep breath.......ahhhh. Now onto the boobie jokes! Just kidding... but I do have some pretty good blonde jokes...
And that is kinda weird about the bagel uniting us all.....I mean, it is a circle...

Ladies,
LONG LIVE THE BAGEL!!! Low carb or otherwise, eat them and be happy!!!

Peace, love, and bagels for all!!!
0 0 0 0 0 <- bagels I plan to eat now.

posted August 09, 2004 12:13 PM         

Er, I mean, Bagels.

posted August 09, 2004 12:21 PM         

Wish it was more like
(.)(.)