I posted this in response to V for Veronika, but it probably makes more sense to post it here, in personal, so here it is.

I am wondering why we have had so many quibbles and I'm always trying to analyze things. I think everyone - and I truly mean every person, has some huge challenges going on in their lives. These can be overwhelming and we need to remember that others are struggling too, just to keep their lives functioning. We all have heavy responsibilities. Our world is in lots of trouble now and it affects us here on Cuties too.

We have learned to come to Cute for encouragement and support way beyond sewing and embroidery. It has been a wonderful source for me too, to talk to people about all the facets of my life. The support I was given for the quilts for Uganda is just one example of the loves we share, not only for sewing, but actually for the humanity, the living creatures, our families, and our world. The caring shown to me about raising a child with special needs has been overwhelming and gives me support I need, by people who truly do care, and understand.

I believe the problem comes from our stress, combined with the stress of the world now, AND also other social media practices. People will post anything on Facebook, but on Cuties we have been different. We don't enter into political conflicts, we don't try to convert others to our faiths, we just try to be positive while we are sharing who we are. This site is far different from Facebook, or other social media. In the US, there are TV programs where people argue constantly, with little regard for the other point of view - vindictive, vile words. We hear it sooo much!

We have had here on Cuties, in the past, the purest form of friendship that is well beyond typical social media. We have been polite and focused just on the positive.

I know I wish I hadn't said anything negative ever. But the fact is that no matter how much we want to be perfect, we just aren't. Sometimes words slip out of our mouths, though the keyboard that just can't be deleted and simply forgotten. Sometimes we push the submit button just too quickly. I know I need to reread what I have just typed to make sure it can't be interpreted in any way other than what I intended. In my busy life, I need to slow down to remember my job is to build people up, not tear them down. That's the better me on the inside, the one that tries to rely on wisdom, my faith and experiences, to help others. I just fall short sometimes.

I know God forgives me, and I do hope we can all forgive each other for being so darn human :-) I need to be aware that others may not understand where I am coming from - that they will understand the humor I try to include, and not expect them to read between the lines, to realize it is just my personality coming out in the words I choose. Communicating through the keyboard just can't always show my intent, and it's hard for others to interpret the few words I have chosen, no matter how many smiley faces, LOLs, or "he-hes" I use. I need to ask myself - does this really matter; is it worth someone else's time to read; is it building the group or person up; were my words chosen carefully so I don't offend others who utilize English differently- all BEFORE I hit that permanent SUBMIT button :-)

So, please forgive me for any of my many negative words. I am sorry. I'll try harder. Cuties means a lot to me and I want to be one of the people who keeps it a wonderful place to go. Love and Hugs, Jan