Whether the holidays give you a chance to relax and enjoy a little more and you like the decorations and many family activities associated with Thanksgiving in the US followed by Christmas and New Year s(or various versions of those holidays dependent on your beliefs and customs) -
-or if the holidays and the family themes make you feel lonelier than ever and hate the world around you for leaving you out, as seemingly everybody else is having a great life -
-Or somewhere in between where holidays are a mix of bad days and good days, memories that are good and bad, wishes that this year will be better or different, and disappointment when it feels the same - etc.
-or maybe one of the very few that genuinely see it as no more than just another day here or there and no other significance and give no thought to it at all except wondering why everybody else seems to care ....
FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR MEMBERS-
The holidays season is basically here and and it is a very stressful time of year. SF cannot stop the calendar, and we cannot jump it ahead 2 months to skip it. but I am asking each and every member here - to do themselves as well as the thousands of other current members and the 1500- 3000 new members that will find us here in the next 2 months looking for help, support or just a sympathetic ear - to treat YOURSELF, as well as our OTHER MEMBERS, with kindness and compassion.
Treat yourself right- If you need help or support please let somebody know. We know we cannot change your real world life, but we cannot even offer support here unless we know you are hurting and need the help and support. We can do many things to show kindness and support, but we cannot read minds. In chat or on the forums- if you are having a tough day or tough month or tough winter- then post or speak up and let us know. You deserve the help and support. You deserve the attention. You are not bothering us here and there is nobody that deserves help more than you.
Treat others right- If you see a post from somebody or hear somebody in chat that needs a kind word please offer it. You do not need to solve their problems or provide an answer to all of life's difficulties for them- just a kind word or two, letting them know somebody heard and understands. Take a half second to click the "like" button to show appreciation and make then feel like they were noticed. If you have the energy and feel like you have some similar experiences share your experiences with them and how you got through it or made things better. If somebody offers you a word of advice assume they mean well, even if it does not fit your situation in your opinion- at least they tried so rather than upset they did not help be glad they cared enough to try. If you can make somebody else's day a tiny bit better it often has a way of making your own day a tiny bit better too.
We are all here for each other- as we can be when we can be. We know we cannot solve all of the problems that all of our members have, very often we cannot even solve our own problems. But we can make sure that other members know somebody heard and know somebody cared enough to say "hello" or "thank you for sharing". Particularly our new members that will join and do not know what we are about- take a moment to say hello and welcome them. Maybe you could use a new friend too. Maybe they could be that friend and it could be as easy as a "Hello, I am listening". Lets try to be there for each other and let others be there for us because every person on this forum deserves that much.
If you are in a "good place" or at least doing okay right now and would like to volunteer as staff please let us know- the holidays are always busy and we could use the help if you have had a couple months experience here so are familiar with the forum or chat. . Leave a message in Letters to admin if interested in being a forum or chat pro and you have the availability and are feeling well enough yourself to do a little extra to help pass the holiday hours.
Thank you for helping us make the next couple months just a little bit better whenever we can.
- Ben
-or if the holidays and the family themes make you feel lonelier than ever and hate the world around you for leaving you out, as seemingly everybody else is having a great life -
-Or somewhere in between where holidays are a mix of bad days and good days, memories that are good and bad, wishes that this year will be better or different, and disappointment when it feels the same - etc.
-or maybe one of the very few that genuinely see it as no more than just another day here or there and no other significance and give no thought to it at all except wondering why everybody else seems to care ....
FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR MEMBERS-
The holidays season is basically here and and it is a very stressful time of year. SF cannot stop the calendar, and we cannot jump it ahead 2 months to skip it. but I am asking each and every member here - to do themselves as well as the thousands of other current members and the 1500- 3000 new members that will find us here in the next 2 months looking for help, support or just a sympathetic ear - to treat YOURSELF, as well as our OTHER MEMBERS, with kindness and compassion.
Treat yourself right- If you need help or support please let somebody know. We know we cannot change your real world life, but we cannot even offer support here unless we know you are hurting and need the help and support. We can do many things to show kindness and support, but we cannot read minds. In chat or on the forums- if you are having a tough day or tough month or tough winter- then post or speak up and let us know. You deserve the help and support. You deserve the attention. You are not bothering us here and there is nobody that deserves help more than you.
Treat others right- If you see a post from somebody or hear somebody in chat that needs a kind word please offer it. You do not need to solve their problems or provide an answer to all of life's difficulties for them- just a kind word or two, letting them know somebody heard and understands. Take a half second to click the "like" button to show appreciation and make then feel like they were noticed. If you have the energy and feel like you have some similar experiences share your experiences with them and how you got through it or made things better. If somebody offers you a word of advice assume they mean well, even if it does not fit your situation in your opinion- at least they tried so rather than upset they did not help be glad they cared enough to try. If you can make somebody else's day a tiny bit better it often has a way of making your own day a tiny bit better too.
We are all here for each other- as we can be when we can be. We know we cannot solve all of the problems that all of our members have, very often we cannot even solve our own problems. But we can make sure that other members know somebody heard and know somebody cared enough to say "hello" or "thank you for sharing". Particularly our new members that will join and do not know what we are about- take a moment to say hello and welcome them. Maybe you could use a new friend too. Maybe they could be that friend and it could be as easy as a "Hello, I am listening". Lets try to be there for each other and let others be there for us because every person on this forum deserves that much.
If you are in a "good place" or at least doing okay right now and would like to volunteer as staff please let us know- the holidays are always busy and we could use the help if you have had a couple months experience here so are familiar with the forum or chat. . Leave a message in Letters to admin if interested in being a forum or chat pro and you have the availability and are feeling well enough yourself to do a little extra to help pass the holiday hours.
Thank you for helping us make the next couple months just a little bit better whenever we can.
- Ben
May it be peaceful, relaxing and a time of happiness.
