Christine, I am not going to apologise for using the term as an all encompassing "word".My Sabbatical was to decide to be a part of the Group or leave, given there were a lot of negative energy aimed in my direction, for which I was always saying sorry as a conciliatory method.I believe that I am aloud a voice, even when it is at variance to others.As it stands, I have yet to make up my mind.Please let me know in the interim if you feel it would be better, for the group dynamic, if I did not return, you have my email address, if you so desire.
May I say that I would like you to stay with the group Simon, and be your interesting and individual voice.There is a lot of dignity in being generous and conciliatory. But here, there's no need to say sorry for having a thoughtful, genuine point of view that's different from someone else's.Everyone in our core community participates as a learner, and a teacher. Where you find disagreement, there may be an opportunity to teach someone or to learn something for yourself, or both. Thanks for what I've already learned from you.Sensitive people are affected by strong opinions. I am. I know though, that I'm accepted here (even when no-one will admit I'm right ), and if you stay, you will feel confident of that too. It's a gift I would like you to have, the gift of people who value you enough to be curious about you, to challenge you, at the same time embracing who you are.
LOL Violet....I have strong opinions and I voice them, I would never tell someone to leave because they disagree with me...basically though, it will come down to whether or not you feel comfortale here and only you can decide that. I do not have negative feelings towards anyone unless of course they a foolish enough to try to attack me.Simon2 I find you certainly raise some interesting topics and that's a good thing, but you have to expect us to disagree if we feel you are wrong as I'm sure you would do if you felt strongly about something.No one here expects you to keep saying your sorry by the way.
Simon i just to want add that i have enjoyed you're input & totally agree with Christine that words on a screen can be misconstrued. whenever something raises my hackles both online & in real life i like to take a step back and look at the intent, i believe there's a lot of strength in letting things go. of course sometimes you have to stand your groundvive la difference i say.