A Time for Change

[mol]

Sometimes you do things with the best of intentions. Sometimes you love something or someone so much that you tend to do the wrong things and it is clouded by that love. This Community was once a very small one. When we were about 200 members strong there was a presence in this place that could not be shaken. The rules were very simple then. They were:

1. Respect each other.
2. Don't bash anothers Path.

Of course, the second rule need not even been said when looking at the first. But that was it. And these were unwritten rules. Everyone just knew them, either by being told by another member (word of mouth) or by breaking them once. ;) As we grew I thought it best to create a deeper set of rules to protect this Community. I did this out of love and respect for this place. We did this with the best of intentions.

I was wrong.

By changing what we had set in motion we created an atmosphere not unlike many other places out there on the net. A place where you have to tip toe around and make sure that you are not breaking a rule at any given point in time. A place where you dont feel free to express your opinions, in fear that someone might take offense.

I am sorry.

We can rememdy this situation. And we are. From this day forward, the rules that were built by myself and other admins, etc are hereby thrown out the window. Forget them. They dont exist. Instead, one remains. One that encompasses everything that this Community was about when it first began.

Respect.

That is the rule of the day and the days from here after my friends. It doesnt need to be written down. Tell everyone you know. Tell new members when the come in. Let everyone know that this place is going back to the way it began. A place where people are free to come, no matter what Path you follow. A place where you are free to express your opinions. A place where the only rule that need be followed is the rule of respect. Respect your fellow members. Respect that this site is a family based Community. Most of all, respect yourself. This place is yours. And we are giving it back to you. Enjoy.

Love,
mol, Semele, and Kaylara

[Xander67]

Merry Meet,
I am in awe here,
may I add a suggestion,
Respect is important. and Accepting people for who they are is important too..

repect one another and accept them for who they are.

:)

I LOVE THIS PLACE....

[Shadowulfe]

Originally posted by mol

We can rememdy this situation. And we are. From this day forward, the rules that were built by myself and other admins, etc are hereby thrown out the window. Forget them. They dont exist. Instead, one remains. One that encompasses everything that this Community was about when it first began.

Respect.

That is the rule of the day and the days from here after my friends. It doesnt need to be written down. Tell everyone you know. Tell new members when the come in. Let everyone know that this place is going back to the way it began. A place where people are free to come, no matter what Path you follow. A place where you are free to express your opinions. A place where the only rule that need be followed is the rule of respect. Respect your fellow members. Respect that this site is a family based Community. Most of all, respect yourself. This place is yours. And we are giving it back to you. Enjoy.

Love,
mol, Semele, and Kaylara

Well Said Mol, i totally agree with you!
that was well said!

[Xander67]

Mol, one other thing, please dont feel you were wrong, you were only doing what you believed was right for the common good of MW...

[UnSolon]

Thank you Mol.

It is sometimes said that the total sum of laws can only equal the total sum of the population. However, I like your way much better, and it encompasses much more than 1000 rules and regulations would do.

[Myst]

Well of course I stand behind this decision 100%, and will strive to follow the one and only rule of MW at all times. I really think if we can all do the same MW will continue to grow and be a loving, helpful community for a long time to come. So let's all make a conscious effort to help :)

[MammaStar]

Respect is the key. How can we all expect to gain respect out there in the world, if we can't even show it ourselves. I for one, will try even harder and think a bit more before I write a post.

Ditto Xander's statement! MW is my home away from home, and work and play and.......

It's my mostest favorite place in the world. :lol:

:D

[Myst]

Very well said Starlite!

Also, guys, if you think someone is disrespecting you, why not report the post to the moderators and try not to disrespect the person back? That will help too!

[Danustouch]

Myst..you've GOT to stop changing avatars, darnit!!! You'r confusing the heck outta me. Find me an avatar if you're that bored!

LOL

Sorry..OT.;)

[kittiepoetrygod]

Does this mean we're allowed to be off topic? ;);). I wonder if any threads will be affected. Againm ;);).

Is there much point of moderaters is thats the only rule?

[Myst]

It means threads can wander a bit off topic just like before but we'll still be responsible for them if they get too far off or rowdy.. and yes the point of moderators is as it was before - to encourage chat and to help the admins keep things together ;)

[Danustouch]

Four Admins, HOW many forums? And 24 Hours a day. Do the math ;) :D

[mol]

LOL.

Danus and Myst have hit the nail. Right on the head! Thanks for the comments everyone.

[mol]

By the way, I have sent this out to the Community via email and have recieved wonderful responses back. Thank you all for your support.

While its true this Community will never be small again. The feeling can remain the same as it always was...

[Lavender]

I think this is a good change. :sunny:

[Myst]

me too :)

rah rah rah!

[Laiste]

Great idea to have just one simple but important rule! I sure hope it works...I for one will think before I post and try to understand where someone is coming from before I relpy!:)

I remember "the old days" of this comminity. I've been a member of this community since March and have seen it grow tremendously. I am always excited to see new members joining the family!:D

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mol, Semele, Kalara and all the moderators of this board!:D Obviously without all of you this place would not exsist...and all of us who have been lucky enough to have found this home away from home would be missing out on so much!!:sunny:

[Sita]

Well said.

[Shy Hawk]

That is the community I joined...and that is the community I will be glad to return to.

I know, I'm still away. But I lurk when I can. And, I totally stand behind this decision.

Thanks a bunch guys, I've been here a long time, and I love this place to no end.

[mol]

*laugh*

My inbox has been inundated with feedback from the community in response to this change back to the old ways. I want to thank everyone who has emailed me. I appreciate the care and support that all of you show. With permission I will be posting some of the letters I have recieved.

Here is one of them from Phrater:




*****APPLAUDS*****


It is one of the basic rules of mankind, that unfortunately
is all to often neglected, respect your fellow living being.


This does not mean that you must give up your own opinions
and disagreements to ensure the happiness of everyone around,
this does not mean that a white lie to improve someone's day
is the right thing to do. It means respect their rights to
believe what they Will, Respect their right to voice their
opinions and share their beliefs and traditions with those
around them. But also respect their ability to understand
and comprehend, give them something to think about by challenging
their beliefs and mode of thought. Give them YOUR opinion of
how things Are and how things ought to be.


Don't BASH them, Challenge them. I believe very strongly about
this, since it is MY belief that if someone cannot readily
explain or defend their beliefs... they need to rethink just
how much they truly understand themselves and how much their
system truly fits them.


I apologize for being so long winded. Thank you for
reading this far.


SINCERELY,


Phrater Lionfire

[mol]

Greenman said I could post his feedback:




Kudos! congratulations on the change.
it is an easy trap to fall into, that as things become bigger, they must be controlled tighter. as an old anarchist i appreciate your letting the people who come to your site police thenselves. it may not always work, but if they are enlightened enough to find their way to MysticWicks, then i think they (we) deserve the benefit of the doubt.
thanks for the terrific site, and keep up the good work.

[amberlaine]

Hey you shoulda posted my feedback:

"This doesn't mean I"ll get banned again, does it?"

:p :p :p

[mol]

Originally posted by amberlaine
Hey you shoulda posted my feedback:

"This doesn't mean I"ll get banned again, does it?"

:p :p :p

Hmmm. I will get back to you on that one...

[amberlaine]

:devil:

Bring it on, sucka.

[Shadowulfe]

Originally posted by Shy Hawk
That is the community I joined...and that is the community I will be glad to return to.

I know, I'm still away. But I lurk when I can. And, I totally stand behind this decision.

Thanks a bunch guys, I've been here a long time, and I love this place to no end.

not meaning to get off topic here but, Shy Hawk just hit her 1000th post!! :D

[sherry]

Things have changed alot since I signed on. When I did it there was 130 some members. Often as I watched the list grow I became excited about the growth of the family size and at the same time confused about the fact that family that say they care and respect the site could trash each other in such hurtful ways.

I feel this site helped me develope new skills, fine tune natural gifts, build new friendships and discover who I want to be. I used to feel as though I had family support on everything.


Granted we are not the Brady Bunch and at times did not show the class that we should have to be comparable to the Adams family, But I refused to believe we are anything but a family.
I know in my birth family there are those we dont always want to claim either but it usually takes a few well chosen words from an elder and they are set straight not everyone jumping on the band wagon slamming them and getting them all puffed up.
Anger just builds and everyone just gets angry, no solutions, no smiles, and it also makes it so others are affraid to express themselves.

[sherry]

WELCOME BACK AMBERLAINE!!!!!!:) Great to see you:D

[Myst]

Originally posted by amberlaine
Bring it on, sucka.

Where's the jello?

[amberlaine]

Originally posted by sherry
WELCOME BACK AMBERLAINE!!!!!!:) Great to see you:D

Awwww *blush* Shucks. And thanks :)


I got your jello right here, Myst. ::evil, manical grin::

[Ball-Bhreac Ròn]

:thumbsup: WE LOVE YOU MOL! :thumbsup:

[Wyrdsister]

:heartthro :heartthro :heartthro

Big, giant, lovin' hugs to mol, Semele and Kaylara. mol, I personally don't think you have anything to appologise for when it comes to this board. You have done an amazing job, as have all the other admins (::KUDOS!::), and I know everyone has just been trying to work for the benefit of the community.

Love you all!!

Wyrdsister

[bansidhe]

yup, tankies for everything mol, semele and kaylara, and all of the others who make this place what it is! how would i ever keep my insanity otherwise?! ;)
no harms been done so lets all juss keep the golden rule ! :) i know that i ll try my hardest!

[mol]

Im going to stick this for a while to make sure everyone see's it. Thanks for all of your support!

[Starlight]

:nonono::nonono::nonono::nonono:

Excellent thread mol!:thumbsup: to all the other mod's too! :nonono::nonono::nonono::nonono:

[MagickHLHgurl]

I'm basically new to MW just joined in november....but i love it here! you guys are all great....and mol, great job on the site and the one rule! so to mola nd all the other mods keep up th good work and thnk you!

[Chomper]

hi

[Laiste]

Welcome and Merry Meet Chomper!:D

[Ball-Bhreac Ròn]

hi Chomper! :D Kewel name!

[Starlight]

Hey welcome and Merry meet Chomper! Have a cookie and some Lemonade! :lol:

[Red Dragon]

Although I haven't been here for sometime, I find you continue to impress me... You are indeed...a wise man.
"Red":D

BTW, Hate the colors man....
Hee,hee

[Lavender]

Hi Red! Nice to see you again here. :)

[Red Dragon]

:cool: Thanks... WC!!!
I can't seem to get used to the current color??? Man it's crappy, nauseous even... did you guys vote on it???
Hee,hee
"Red"

...come to think about it, My granny had a bathroom in this shade in the seventies... :p

[Lavender]

Heheh! The butterfly at the top is nice! :D

[dragonmagic64]

Does anyone have any suggestions/
Is there any way through spell , potion, zoodoo doll , to help someone through an emotional, mental, spiritual, sickness.
It could be considered for selfish reasons on my part.
I will take what ever karmic debit I must.
My question is for the mother of my youngest son. She is a gemini monkey, and has both personalities of the gemini. One of them I love, charish would do almost anything for. The other is a destructive harpy who will stop at no lengths to destoy any realationship for any reason.
She is conviced that all her problems are caused by me.
Yet after going though this cycle she becomes the sweet loving women I fell in love with some 3 years ago.
When in these states of hate, it is like she is posessed, there is no reasoning, only the hollow hating eyes which consume her wholly.
It would be easiest to walk away, and if not for my youngest son, I would. Perhapes it is I who need the protection. No one is without fault, and I admit my responcibility , yet I still wish for her metal health. I've attempted to speak with her parents as the father of her oldest son has as well. We are met with anger and resentment.
Magik my hold the answers that I so deparetly need. Not for myself alone, but for our children as well.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Dragonmagic64

[Laiste]

First off, welcome and Merry Meet!

I think maybe a moderator could move this post...
so we are not so off topic...I will post on this when I see it elsewhere.:)

[Sunday's Child]

I suppose those who do not respect others... do not respect their selves... Maybe those are the ones we need to reach out to... Maybe those are the ones that need help.

[Chibi-Fallon]

Or they're just snobs. Or have really big egos. Or they're dumb. A lot of dumb people do that.

[Myst]

Did you ever wonder if by saying something like that you're being disrespectful... then you get to be the snob with the big dumb ego too?