Thread: A reminder about support & judgment here
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DocJohn
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Arrow Nov 26, 2012 at 08:16 AM
 
You know, we all have opinions, and a part of a support community such as ours is to share our experiences, insights, thoughts and opinions with others in a way that hopefully they can take something positive away from them.

But if someone disagrees with our opinion or insight into an issue, that doesn't make one person "right" and the other person "wrong." It just means that even after further consideration, they have chosen to take a different path than us.

We have gotten too many reports and see too many members in this forum who are focused on being in the "right" and knowing, beyond any doubt, that their perspective and opinion is the "right" one for any particular situation shared by another member here.

It's time to put this attitude and judgment to rest. Opinions are neither right nor wrong -- they are simply one person's perspective on a situation. If someone disagrees with your opinion, that doesn't make them wrong, an idiot, or without insight. It makes them different than you, that's all.

I would like to see more members in this forum focused on the support aspect, rather than the sharing of what they believe is the "right" perspective on a situation.

Remember, others will continue to make mistakes -- that's how we learn -- whether they follow or don't follow your advice or opinion. The key is to offer it in a supportive manner, and then let it go. If someone has a followup question, it's fine to answer it.

But it is not okay to defend your opinion to the death and to act like it is the only right way of looking at a situation -- in this forum, or any forum in our community. That is not supportive, and not in the spirit of our community.

Also...

I would remind members that it is inappropriate to question or call into question another person's experiences or history. It is unsupportive to do so, and can be very invalidating. Nobody should be here to play amateur detective.

Yes, having such a policy may mean members somehow get "duped," but if that's a concern for you, then I suggest you not contribute to a thread where you question the member's story.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in this matter.

DocJohn

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Last edited by DocJohn; Feb 10, 2015 at 12:27 PM..
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