Appreciation Thread to Anyone who has made themselves Vulnerable here at DU.

[Mike 03]

It's not that easy to spill your guts here anymore about some intensely personal issue you may be facing or experiencing, and it's not uncommon to get attacked or ridiculed by someone.

I just want to shout out to anyone who has dared to talk about something really personal here at DU over the past months or year or so. Thankfully, I still do see these posts and I'm so grateful for them, because they often reflect my own fears, feelings, regrets, hopes--oftentimes feelings that I'm too afraid or shy to share.

Thank you to the DUers who are not afraid to write about your utmost personal experiences that you are facing.

[Taverner]

1. w o r d

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. Let them deride.

Those who would do so are on the same demonic amusement park ride as the rest of us. They'll be looking for help and sympathy soon enough.

[Ikonoklast]

9. Yes.

"The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on."

[myrna minx]

3. Some of the most compelling and moving things I have ever read, I have read here.

:hug:

[seabeyond]

4. hugs to you mike. i know you have been having a tough, challenging time

of late.....

[Kajsa]

5. This is so true.

It does take a lot of strength to spill your innermost thoughts here.

Thanks, Mike!

And thanks to everyone who has done so and helped
others by sharing their stories.

:hug:

[leftyclimber]

6. Rec #5

I am humbled by people who will let all of us pixels out there into their lives. They help us understand.

[Missy Vixen]

7. Mike, thank you for the thank you thread

We're in the middle of it, too. There is no way in hell I have the courage to stand up and talk about some of the stuff that's going on right now, because frankly, I don't care to watch our lives and our decisions shredded and mocked by the Keyboard Kommandos.

You are a kind and thoughtful person, and I am grateful to those who are brave enough to speak out.

[midnight]

8. I have been grateful to many who have come here and shared

experiences and wisdom.

[Flying Dream Blues]

10. K&R nt

[angrycarpenter]

11. I've done it a few times.

Nothing brings out the trolls like a sob story. At least three sock puppets have been tombstoned on threads I posted about having hard times or being unemployed.

[applegrove]

12. Nice post.

[pacalo]

13. You are so sweet.

[zeemike]

14. It is those posters that are willing to share their personal

Experiences that makes this community great.
And for the most part most responses are positive and suportive...but yes there is always a few.
But like someone above said...the dogs bark but the caravan moves on.

[eridani]

15. Stories let you see charts and data in terms of real lives

Many are hurting now, and we have to be here for each other.

[ProgrezivIndie]

16. k&r n/t

[Cerridwen]

17. Thank you, Mike.

I'm happy to see people feel they have some connection to this community and feel comfortable enough to share.

I'm not one of them; that's just me. But I surely admire those who can do so.

I hope when those who need something from DU during those times, find what it is they need. I'm afraid I'm guilty of not being as "community oriented" as many others. But I do appreciate the fact that it's here if I need it.

Nicely said, btw.

:hi:

[omega minimo]

18. And it seems that DU response most enthusiastically to threads with personal approach

Look at the cheese sandwich threads, top of Greatest, about something simple, basic, that touches all of us in some way.

One reason more people don't "make themselves vulnerable" personally is that certain topics -- even mention certain words :wtf: -- are enough to draw detractors and attackers like a swarm of flies, closeminded on a single issue as if it's all black and white......

That's an area where DU could "open up" and be "vulnerable" to grey areas and other POVs.



"The dogs bark........................"

Thanks for the thread.

[MikeH]

19. Thank you for your very nice thread

I have shared my personal preference for something that is (at least currently) outside the norm in this society, namely body hair on women (I am a heterosexual male).

I find rather sad some of the reactions people feel free to express about something that is a matter of personal taste which they happen to dislike, such as "gross" and "disgusting". I would expect such reactions to this at a place like Free Republic or any conservative web site, but I find such reactions to be very unbecoming at a progressive place like DU.

Here is a current thread in the Lounge in which this is being discussed.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=8564132

Here is a discussion titled The Politics of Body Hair in the Women's Rights forum, which has been going on for two years, in which I have made a couple of posts expressing my preference.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=229x5935

I consider my liking for this which is outside the norm in this society to be no different from the fact that while most people are attracted to people of the opposite sex, some people are attracted to people of the same sex, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.