Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?

How expanded can Gaia be, for you to be comfortable?
How expanded can you be, as Gaia expands?
How inclusive does Gaia need to be, for you to feel included?
How inclusive can you be, to feel happy?

Re: Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?

Gaia has the purpose — to inspire and empower you to be the change you want to see in the world. 

Re: Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?

How expanded can Gaia be, for you to be comfortable?
As expanded as possible to include every member of our world with access to a keyboard and the Internet… Knowing all humanity could connect with Gaia would make me the most comfortable.

How expanded can you be, as Gaia expands?
At times, I feel so stretched beyond what I can possibly manage as Gaia expands. Buried under notifications. Missing my friend's blogs. Then I allow myself to stop feeling stretched and let myself dissolve into the essence of who I am, touching here and there in the Gaiasphere, stopping to smell a wildflower (blog) in the middle of a vast field of possible scents. It is not possible to smell every flower yet it is possible to take in the breathtaking view a field full of  flowers creates. (friend list)

How inclusive does Gaia need to be, for you to feel included?
Gaia is as inclusive as we allow it to be for each of us. Gaia has no control over how we feel. We have control over how we feel. I chose to feel included, to participate in the ways I enjoy participating, to engage in life here in the spirit of Gaia and in my interactions with my flesh and blood life. No matter how inclusive Gaia strives to become there will always be a choice for each individual to feel slighted or feel included. Which do option do you chose?

How inclusive can you be, to feel happy?
I feel happy whenever I'm on Gaia so I must be as inclusive as I need to be while I'm here! I didn't understand this question as well as I would have liked so this is my answer from what I could understand…

Smiles!
amber

Re: Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?-Our role

The Team definitely deserves our thanks and support as we can give in each role that we play–

• a member who reads the Team Blog and encourages the team for their continuing work and updates
• who comes back to the Support Pod and updates a support issue after it has been handled
• a pod cultivator who keeps their pod vibrant and within the TOU
• an ambassador who is service-oriented
  
• and any other way we can individually think of thanking them—as they would want to be thanked [which we have to intuit as they're not saying or complaining!]

Re: Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?-thanking the team

So there's a thank you to the team on the Lounge. Join in there!

There's also a grapevine message going around if you want to pass it on to a friend who hasn't yet received it [or 5]

TEAM THANK YOU WEEKS– Let's THANK the Gaia Team in November by adding to THANK YOU, GAIA TEAM!!! at http://pods.gaia.com/gaia_lounge/discussions/view/364631–Pl. Pass the word!

Re: Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?- discussing problems?

Dave said: “The world's economy is in a shambles… and here we are… a community who wants to change the world… and very seldom do we discuss the sad state of the world, and what we can do about it…

Hey… let's talk!!!!”

Dave–go for it! Let's talk on the Lounge! Start a thread! And then let us know so we can chime in.

Re: Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?

Backing up just a minute…it made sense to me that $3 per month is a very reasonable donation to balance the joy I get from Gaia.  I've looked for a way to switch to the $3/mo option, but couldn't find it.  Does anyone know the secret to signing up for the pay per month option?

With appreciation for the suggestion,
Helen

Re: Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?

Okay, I get the pay for it idea and I understand, but….What about people like me that struggle, i mean really struggle financially??  Gaia has been huge in maintaining my sanity as of late.  I was heading for a really dark place without even realizing it and I stumbled across Gaia…I have no Credit cards or bank account at present…if there had been a fee, i would have been SOL.  I know $3 a month is not much, but, for me, at the time, it might as well have been $300.  If Gaia would not have been there, I might not be here.

Re: Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?

Missy, you don't have to pay to be on Gaia; and certainly no one would ask that you do so, if that is not what you'd like. Gaia Plus is if you'd like to pay for an ad-free experience, with the benefits that Siona mentioned below.

Re: Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?

I only wish that when I go to other places or sometimes here too comments would be more helpful in terms of assisting people of expanding or narrowing or specify or answering some questions about people's ideas without fear.  I guess people are still in fear of rejections or constructive comments.  Of course Gaia is better, but there are always room for opening up a good dialog.
I need to be comfortable with myself to be anywhere, therefore Gaia only needs to be there for the people and thats it. Some think Gaia is more for the self esteem building and assemble together.

Re: Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?

Hey there rugged_gurl1!

Sometimes the best way to get some one to help is to ask someone on your friend list (or me!) not that I'd know everything but I would feel honored to help you find your answers if I can thru a personal email…

These threads are read randomly and alot of people like to read them but may not respond to them. Comments are simply that, a comment but maybe not an in depth answer. A personal email can get to the nitty gritty of a question.

As a human species I feel that 98% of us are still at some level governed by fear. I know I am worried about how I may come across each and ever time I post, what other's may think of my level of knowledge or intellegence about a variety of topics, if I'm even helpful at all, etc.. etc. The only way for me to overcome my fear is to put myself out there no matter what people may think. As long as I'm as respectful as I know how to be when I state my opinions or ideas then I can be resonably reassured that at least here at Gaia I will be answered, debated, or disagreed with respectfully.

Gaia is for self esteem building! Yay, for being able to come to a place where people will point out your good qualities for a change! Gaia is also a place where people can come together and communicate without the hype of the media fanning the flames of 'this position is right and this other position is wrong'! We need to have differing opinions and to learn to recognize that my or another's way is not the only way to get things done.

I assemble where ever there is a positive vibe and clear out whenever a discussion degenerates into name calling, I'm right you're wrong, conversation. I would assemble where ever you are anyday!

Hugz!
amber

Re: Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?

I believe that nowadays people are not very patient to read between the lines.  Thinking is becoming rather a rare gift.  People like bullet points in your interactions.  Convenience seems to be a virtue.  I am a very complex person.  I am not against self esteem building.  I am afraid it becomes what I see is you are great and lack of some constructive discussions of different viewpoints.  I may be a skeptic, but I am an overall a positive person.  I feel there is a lack of understanding of different people's styles of writing or creativeness and I am not being critical here.  I am being observant.  I may be idealistic on how the community should be, but I am not a journaller that likes to spoon-feed(that is the best word I can come up with)my reading audiences. 

Re: Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?

You couldn't have said anything more true…

“Thinking is becoming rather a rare gift.  People like bullet points in your interactions.  Convenience seems to be a virtue.”

and here…

“I feel there is a lack of understanding of different people's styles of writing or creativeness and I am not being critical here.”

I agree and it's the reason I am a member of the Gaia Networking pod. The board we're on Community: Pain or Pleasure has a topic called Warriors, guerilla soldiers, tennis players, monks, and who else?  where we discussed different styles of communicating. I won't be able to know where a person who is new to me is coming from if I have never been exposed to their way of thinking. So I believe we learn by continuing to interact or realize that not everyone is going to 'get' us nor are we all going to 'love' each other's styles but we can continue to love each other as fellow human beings.

Guilty of not understanding many different people's styles but really, truly wanting to learn and be respectful…

amber

Re: Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?

Meenakshi asked some interesting questions. I read them and walked out. I do this lots, actually a lot to be honest on here. Why? I am not that invested here but with my upcoming remarks I know what this signifies for me, I am investing so therefore trying to find a way to get my two nostrils working on here. So really, this rant is a compliment to Gaia…trust me! Same thing… I promise! 

I have given here so far my most vulnerable truth and one that I kept for over two years as I have also reached out to the most quiet in need on here late in the night. Give and take. At times, I find myself in these deep conversations with people on here that I don’t know. I have exposed myself to “strangers” that my most intimate do not know of me. I appreciate it but honestly find it strange on my behalf but I tell myself don’t worry because it is working! I have to keep reminding myself this, almost everyday as I choose to click in or not. Yet I have not given myself up in conversation like this either, only hidden in my blogs layered in multiple meanings where it is safe.

I have also had my mind blown open by some words coming from more “strangers.” I have sat here with my mouth open stunned at how the truth of what someone says, even if they believe it themselves or not…knock my socks off or pissed me off because it hurt that honestly. Make me think…for days. I don’t resonate and everyone here resonates…I get my mind blown open, wind knocked out of me,  #$%# my mind…this is more my language…! Same thing…I promise!

Please don’t ask me to resonate…just twist my mind. Same thing…I promise!

So I don’t resonate and I don’t love and hugs or kisses or smooches or pats on the back or kinder or …this is not my language…but I promise you when I say you’re a wonderful bastard or a goofball and punch you lightly in the arm…it is my highest compliment…this is who I really am…and when someone can connect with this understanding…wow…than I breath with two nostrils in action. Same thing…I promise!

JUST because I don’t talk like this does NOT mean I don’t feel it or that I am disconnected or full of ego or full of shit or full whatever or lacking this or lacking that. YES, I have exposed my “lackings” and “full ofs”…I get it and working it out! I am not here to debate, argue or fight either…I don’t even have any concrete views or advice to sell or beliefs in actually, I don’t even haven a book or another blog space…WHY? Because I don’t have a clue…that is why I am here in the first place!

I recently said to someone on here who was being “bashed” around… or not… just my opinion…that it is important to understand that art is subjective. I don’t care for still flowers in a pot. I don’t care who painted it either, boring! I hang pictures of “homeless,” people I know in my home, some in even 11x17 formats, you know in your face approach. People that come into my home…get it or don’t.

Someone called my art ugly…well I think there is beauty in the ugly…is this not what we should seek?

I would like to go through this exercise honestly with two nostrils in action, breathing. This is what we are asking of each other, right? I know we are…I can see it. Therefore, if I am actually going to hang around here and I would like to, I need to step up on this. Blow out of my two nostrils.

I agree completely with the line that Andrew is delicately attempting to approach. I don’t think him as an idiot or eccentric…sorry Andrew…I think this a well-posed attempt to say something you think that is against the norm. It made me stretch, I am here blabbing now!

I tick another way but it is so the same way, you have no idea. It is passion, love and heart that comes through…it just sounds not “flowery.” The best dialogues in my life happen this way…deep, hard, long, drawn out, emotional, messy and wonderful, loving, inspiring and most of all stretching… 

Stretch me…pull me…break me… 

I have witnessed people drastically draw it out and end it with a kiss, sincerely. I find beauty in that. I have also witnessed people drastically disagree and humbly walk away from it. I find beauty in that as well.

Is Gaia inclusive or not or expanding or extracting or shrinking…I don’t know…!

When in Rome do like the Romans do…so this is what I did. I caught on quickly, just turn the other cheek or click off, google something else. I get this and need to take this in. Perhaps it is I, what if I do lack tact or am _______ or ________? But what if it is not? 

I can keep this breathing up out of one nostril for awhile as long as I can see the exit…I am not looking for an exit here, one day I will I am sure but not now…so while I am choosing to be here in Rome…I just do like the Romans do…but I tell you I am not able to breath. 

I think a healthy debate or discussion in underrated…perhaps. 

Don’t ask me how you look in that shirt…I am more than likely going to tell you how fat your arse looks…truth …but not when in Rome! 

I am going to rewash my dinner dishes now… 

There…see much better…now…breathing with two nostrils! 

Love you…see you all tomorrow! 

Re: Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?

The moon must be full… Denim, you lost me! ~grin~ Are you saying you feel included or comfortable or are you expanded beyond the comfort zone?

Denim you said,

“I don’t resonate and everyone here resonates…I get my mind blown open, wind knocked out of me,  #$%# my mind…this is more my language…! Same thing…I promise!”

Believe me… Everyone DOES NOT, as you state, resonate here! We all get our minds blown open and the wind knocked out of us! We all have our unique way of communicating so your words, some of which are quoted above, have surely knocked the wind out of some Gaians reading them. Some can handle the @$%$ others cannot. Some can read another's pain or frustration and still love, others cannot. Sometimes people chose, like you, to 'read the words and walk out' [paraphrasing]… at other times they engage. There is beauty in the dance…

I believe that if we were in a sweat lodge we'd be living! And we would probably be experiencing too. Living a new experience, how 'bout that?! And you would be using alot of @@$% because it would be too hot and I'd be worrying about something unimportant like, “How'd I end up in a sweat lodge and what does this have to do with Meenakshi's questions above! ROT (sweat lodge) FLOL

Forgive me, I have a head cold…

Re: Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?

You humor is a great gift that you carry Amber, you use it well!  I agree it is a messy thought, it is in there somewhere. I got totally inspired by what I read. AND I never press send, I did on it on dare with no spell check!  “The world's economy is in a shambles… and here we are… a community who wants to change the world… and very seldom do we discuss the sad state of the world, and what we can do about it…”  I fell off my chair reading rugged_gurl1’s line, “I believe that nowadays people are not very patient to read between the lines.”  Than I passed out reading the rest of her thoughts…I should have just added, “me too”.  So as you can by the time I got around to an attempt at breathing in the open here, I was feeding, running, falling and passing out hence the confusion.  Gaia can’t make me feel included or comfortable, I need to do so. Yet there is still a give and take required, reciprocal reception, communication and understanding.  For the record, I have never cussed in the lodge, did lots of things but never cuss. I would likely have my ear yanked if I ever did, I know because %$^#@ slipped out in the moment…!

Re: Gaia- How Inclusive? How expanded?

{{{giggle}}} We'd have the grandest time in that ol' sweaty lodge wouldn't we Denim?! I'm only funny when I'm under the influence of cough and cold meds… a sweat lodge would be a great living/experience for me right now if we could put eucalyptus and menthol on the fire! Are there lights in a sweat lodge? I might pull your leg on accident instead of your ear! Hugz and Smiles!

I'm going to have to start a thread, it seems, about the economy and what we're going to get off our butts and do about our individual situations… Let me go find the proper place to do so!  … anyone else wanna chatabout the economy and what we're doing individually and collectively to ride it out?

Hitting the invisible HUG BUTTON on my laptop!

amber