Forgiveness Appreciation Thread

[Lyric]

This is not a thread about any one specific DU'er. Rather, this is a thread that is meant to honor every DU'er who displays tolerance and refrains from holding grudges. Have you ever noticed that there are some DU'ers who you can argue viciously with in one thread, but laugh and joke with in another? I really appreciate the hell out of that. I can be a very angry person sometimes, and I can nurse resentments with the best of them. I've had a really hard life. That's not an excuse, but that's the only reason I have.

Even still, whenever I find a DU'er who I can battle mercilessly with in one thread, and then feel like "friends" with in another thread, I feel an amazing amount of gratitude. People like that are treasures. They really are like "family", just like I can have a knock-down-drag-out with my sister one day, and then the next day we can wordlessly forgive each other and be close again. I love the people who do not think that saying (or hearing) "I'm sorry" is an offense to their pride. There's a feeling of safety in it; a feeling of, "No matter how angry I am with you today, I still know that you will be on my side tomorrow--and vice versa." It's freeing, and it makes it easier for ME to forgive and forget. It makes me a better person to be around them.

I'm probably fumbling this. I'm having a tough day and the words are not coming easily right now. But I do hope that the people I'm talking about above will recognize themselves, and know that even if I don't always appreciate or agree with their words and ideas, I DO always appreciate THEM.

:grouphug:

[Behind the Aegis]

1. K&R

:hug:

Don't know that we have ever battled, but, I do have loads of respect for you.

[Lyric]

2. And I for you.

:hug:

And no, I don't think we've battled, at least not yet. But if we ever do, please remember this, lol.

[JuniperLea]

3. BEST! APPRECIATION! THREAD! EVAH!!!

Well done, Lyric!

I was just telling someone that I refrain from posting in appreciation threads... this is a wonderful exception.

I call what you're talking about "being an adult" and I applaud all who are able to do this.

I know there have been several DUers I've butted heads with that ended up being wonderful pals here.

Good on you, Lyric!

[babylonsister]

4. You didn't fumble a thing, Lyric. Your words

to me are like poetry; you are a terrific writer. And your sentiment is great, and part of the reason I like DU also. I've needed a 'family' recently, and DU always seems to come through. :hug:

[truedelphi]

13. On this thread it seems appropriate enough to say

Totally agree with you, BabylonSis.

[babylonsister]

16. Awww...

:hug:

[pinboy3niner]

23. Amen, Sis. Amen!

DU came through for me recently, and it made a HUGE difference--all the difference in the world. I am eternally grateful for the support I received, which meant far more--and had more of a positive impact in my life--than my fellow members will ever realize.

It may just be a message board on the internets, but it has the power to have a REAL impact on REAL lives of REAL people.

:grouphug:

[babylonsister]

24. I remember your thread, pinboy3niner...

:hug: I'm glad DU was there for you. It's been this way ever since I joined in aught-4. :D I was always impressed by the camaraderie when it counted.

[Brickbat]

5. After going head-to-head with a DUer on a really contentious topic, I was shocked a couple weeks

later he appeared to support my position in a thread on another contentious topic. I sent him a PM thanking him for his support, even though we had disagreed so strongly earlier, and he replied that he didn't remember our disagreement at all.

It really raised the bar for my own posting and my allowance of things that bother me to take up space in my head. There are grudges I still hold but I do try to remember this poster's actions and graciousness toward me.

[Lyric]

7. That happens to me all the time.

I blow up at someone over some disagreement, and then the next day, they reply to me in another thread with words of support and solidarity. At first I thought it was confusing. Now I'm just grateful that there are people here capable of easy forgiveness. I never was until I started interacting with others who were. Now, I find myself staying angry for far less time than I used to. As I said--it's made ME a better person.

[pgodbold]

6. Your post reflects the very highest standards of DU. Hugs.

[whathehell]

8. I love your sentiments, Lyric, and I feel the same way.

If someone didn't personally attack or aggravate me to the point of being put on Ignore, I hold no grudges, or even memories, really, of past arguments.

[blondeatlast]

9. Nonsense, you said it beautifully and you spoke for me. I'm toning down

my spitfire grudging thanks in very large part to the toxic AZ SB 1070. People I've bitterly fought with before have joined me in vocal protest of this institutionalized hate--and to each and every one of them, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[Vickers]

10. But....I *like* holding a grudge.

:(

[Greyhound]

11. I never K&R this type of thread, but here's one for this great sentiment.

However, this type of discussion has become all too rare here in the last few years.
:kick: & R

[me b zola]

12. K&R

:thumbsup:

[Raine]

14. You put it perfectly

DU really is like a family where we may disagree with each other, feud and fight but are there for each other when support is needed. :grouphug:

[grantcart]

15. Well said and I hope that you have a great rest of the day.

[pampango]

17. Well said. Tolerance and foregiveness can be viewed by some as a sign of weakness.

When those traits surface in a poster they are most welcome.

[pipi_k]

18. Disagreement....we're pretty much all going to do it eventually...

There are people I agree with in one area and not in another. We're all different, and that's what makes this place interesting.


I can pretty much forget disagreements.


One thing I won't forget, however, is nastiness from people. Name-calling or baseless accusations. That gets an automatic trip to my ignore list.

[pacalo]

20. Yes, unnecessary nastiness is hard to forget.

When a DUer is tracked down on other threads for no better reason than a difference of opinion on a hot topic, to taunt & disrespect that DUer, I'd say those thick, intolerant heads have some underlying issues that I'd prefer to ignore permanently.

I come to DU for information & pleasant conversation, not dealing with time-bomb keyboarders who are actually more embarrassed by their exposed callousness than they are angry with those who disagree with them.

Thanks for pointing this out because it needed to be said, pipi_k.

:hi:

[gratuitous]

19. Gosh, a nice post like this should have some responses

Unless of course the responses are all from those rat-bastards I have on ignore. They know who they are, and they know why. :hide:

[babylonsister]

25. Hahaha!

:thumbsup:

[pinboy3niner]

29. Aha! THERE you are...

You'd BETTER duck! :evilgrin:

[hfojvt]

21. this is a nice thread

but I sorta doubt I am included in it, although I do not hold grudges against many. Some of whom fiercely attack me.

[political_Dem]

22. This is a thread worth noting.

Thank you for creating an oasis of peace in what has been a rather contentious day. It's very hard to read the back-biting topics at times, but it is the passion and heart that keeps this great place alive. :hug:

[donheld]

26. One of the things most in need in this world is forgiveness.

[FredStembottom]

27. I've had nice reconcilliations right inside the same thread.

I fight concepts and Received Wisdom.

Never people.

They're the best!

[Uncle Joe]

28. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Lyric.:thumbsup: