Thank you...

I wanted to take a moment and thank all of you who participate in this blog, both the writers and the readers. Thus far the blog has produced a variety of amazing topics from light hearted humor, to deep emotional issues, to personal triumphs and hardships, and everything in between. I have had the opportunity to see new people join and develop a sense of fellowship quickly and easily as everyone is welcome in our group. I have had the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. I have grown to be a part of an amazing fellowship of diverse and wonderful people, and I couldn’t be more proud.

I know that each of the writers has his/her own individual blog, and it’s not always easy to find time, nor additional material to write about here. Yet, in a way, the blog and community has served its purpose in this area as to offer many topics based on solely on a single comment, or as offspring of another post. This is what makes every contribution an important one.

Every part of this blog contributes to the bigger picture; from each post to every comment, and the fellowship that has developed. Each is equal in importance as to its contribution to the blog as a whole. It proves to me that the whole has developed into something much larger than the sum of its parts.

So again I thank the writers for their contributions, the readers for their wonderful comments and input, and everyone as a group for making this blog it’s own unique, living, breathing, entity. It has grown of its own volition, and developed through individuality, different perspectives, and a common goal of sharing experience, strength, and hope.

One last note:

I have noticed that we seem to have more writers than I have links to each individual’s blog. If you are missing from our blog roll, please send me an email with a link so that it can be added to the site. Also if anyone has suggestions, comments, additional content, or anything at all that you think would make our blog better, please feel free to email me and let me know. This came together through a combined effort, and I would like to see it continue to grow through that very same combined effort, only now on a larger scale.

A New Friend.

Hey guys...if you want, go say "hi" to a newcomer to the blog world...this woman posted a guest blog on my site a few months ago, and now she's got a site of her own. I told her to come check us out over here, but maybe you all can say hello, too...

It's Mother To An Addict...and she's using Wordpress...I don't know if we have some kind of Blogger-only policy....

Hah. Nerd jokes are funny.

Friendship

As I was reading Wayward Son's previous post, I felt an incredible sense of community and fellowship. I never thought I would feel this way by joining a blog.

The main reason I joined the blogging world was because I wanted to get my feelings out. I have always loved to write, and always been told I was good. I have journaled my entire life. But as I got older, I couldn't find the time, or more honestly, didn't make the time to write. This was not only a great substitute to writing, but I could do it more frequently and while I was at work.

It was a shock and a surprise when I had my first comment, and after that, it was nice to have people reading and commenting. I found people who were going through similar things as I was.

Today and now, as I noted previously, reading Wayward Son's post and then looking at the list of members and writers to this community blog, I felt a sense of togetherness. I felt happy knowing that here were people that I have never met, but who were in it for the same reason as me. It is a diverse group of people, but one that I have come to grow quite fond of.

I love that I can read and learn and grow from someone going through what I am, and I have learned so much by reading an addict's point of view as well.

It feels good to know that we are helping each other - that we are listening without judging.

I just wanted to let you all know how your friendship has affected me. And thank you for it.

Welcome...

Welcome, welcome, welcome. Those of you who read my blog will know that I started this community blog because I felt there was some untapped potential for further communication, sharing, and knowledge. There are no restrictions on what can be posted here, or by whom (except a few, HA!). If you are looking to get an idea or a feel for this sanctuary, I will throw out a couple suggestions: Questions and answers; for those of you who have questions for us addicts, and for those addicts who have questions of those of you who stand by us, this would a perfect place to get input from a variety of people. Comments; if you have a comment from someone's blog that has turned more from comment more into a topic you would like to further discuss, this would be a prefect place (Don't forget the link back to the blog). Open discussions; my personal favorite and what I really would like to see here are ongoing discussions. Pick a topic, or a burning desire, post your opinion, or ask a question and start a discussion. By having the open forum, others are not limited to the comment section to discuss their feelings or opinions. The idea is to lessen the use of comments section. If you would like to respond to someone's post here, rather than leave a comment, leave a post. If you are not an author, find someone who is and get added, we want your valued opinion and experience.

I am sure you get the idea, or point, or whatever. As I discussed with Wayward, I see this as something that will develop into its own, come alive, become what it becomes. I don't want to have to police the blog, but if it becomes necessary I will in order to keep it a place people feel safe and comfortable to express themselves freely without the fear of being judged. With that said, here are some ground rules I have come up with this far (if you can think of something that should be added, by all means, add away):

I have added a new section to the Sidebar; "Community Mission," which contains a kind of Mission Statement, or the ideal behind this blog. I have also added "Our 3 Guidelines," to the bottom of the page. I do not want to police this blog in any way, shape or form. But thinking about my own addictive behavior, and since I did take the initiative to start this whole process, I believe it was up to me to set up a few guidelines for the sole purpose of protecting the community and the blog. As you can see there are 3 Guidelines thus far, and I believe that's all that should be needed; Anonymity, No Personal Attacks, and the all encumbering "Respect." Really respect should cover all the basis. Respect yourself, respect your fellow bloggers, and respect the community blog. Yes, the topics may get very personal, very touchy to some people, and that's great. But the basic idea is be respectful to everyone, treat others how you expect to be treated. We are all here for the same purpose, and that purpose is greater than any one person's ego.

That's it! Hopefully from this post you get the idea that this should be fun for all. Please have fun, email me if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions. (My email address can be found in my profile).

One last thing, and the best way I can put it, is to remember, "Principles before personalities."

Thanks to everyone who participates!

Ej.