Periodically, I have to make a decision to put myself on 'good behavior.' I make a conscious decision to NOT post my thoughts or opinions, especially when my opinions are philosophically and experientially based, and doubly especially when I find that I am reacting instead of responding. I'm in one of those periods now, and wish I were better at staying in them.

I delete a large number of posts without ever hitting the submit button.

With difficulty, I will refrain from going back to read threads about topics of interest and importance to me when I realize the urge to hit that submit button may be irresistible. Otherwise, I read with interest, ponder people's perspectives, shake my head or nod, wish I could sit beside some of them and have long, convoluted conversations to help us both tease out and understand all the layers, dialectics, paradoxes(ii?) personal experiences and paradigms to understand ourselves, each other, and the world of humankind more completely and compassionately, then turn off the computer and go to bed.

I remind myself of the many times I have entered into 'hot topic' threads, only to regret it, because I don't like flack, or beating my head against a brick wall, or because I temporarily forget that 'who you are is none of my business', because I inadvertently fed a troll, or because I haven't mastered the art of calling a jerk without turning into a jerk myself. Or because I realize after I have posted that, for me, the issue is too complex and multi-layered with the interplay between psychology and sociology to get into in an on-line forum.

I remind myself that there are only one or two areas of knowledge in this world about which I actually know more than the average bear, and many more where I know less than the average bear.

I remind myself that there is no evidence at all that anything I have ever posted here has influenced some one else's behavior or point of view.

I don't think, however, the same is true for you, Kevin. Often, I think of you as a steward of this on-line community. Your posts tend to be thought-provoking for those who are interested in having thoughts provoked, and not of the pot-stirring persuasion.

Janie