The Pot-Luck Dinner of Support

We all come here to give and receive support, but support means different things to different people. For some, it's a word of encouragement. For others, it's advice or suggestions. For still others, it's the simple acknowledgement of what someone is going through.

It's like a potluck dinner -- everyone is bringing their own unique dish to the party, and everyone can share the meal. (And it's a good thing that everyone didn't bring the same thing!) I've been a part of a number of these online forums, and I think one of the things that really makes this one stand out is that people respect each other's contributions. In some forums, folks can get downright nasty with each other if they aren't getting the "right" kind of support -- in PC, though, members really seem to appreciate the "dish", even if they aren't particularly hungry for it at the moment.

Any thoughts?

wow, ben! how cool a thought is that!

i think that's also what made PC my home. at other sites, i felt i had to go with the flow and couldn't express my pains and needs. i was immediately embraced at PC...immediately.

also, i notice that alot will offer hugs, even if they don't understand exactly what's going on. they're still there to show that support. that's awesome!

i have learned about so many different "dishes" and have learned to appreciate them.

you are so right...PC stands out in the crowd for sure.

what an awesome post, ben!

kd

Great post, Ben, and I fully agree.

And just like a potluck dinner, not everything is available at every moment. Other foods, silverware, glasses, cooking classes, cook books are available elsewhere too. Along with other mixes of people.

At potlucks, as here, I can pick and choose what I want to eat/participate in. I can also bring to the table what I most want to share with others.

Sarah

Interesting analogy...odd that it made me think about how I always seem to bring something to potluck dinners that everyone says "how interesting" and no one eats.

mj, i've never, ever seen that about you. i really haven't. i must be that oddball there

i've always thought your contributions supportive and interesting.

be safe,

kd

kimmy, thank you for your kind words.

Ben, I'm sorry I replied the way I did...I shouldn't have done that in your very thoughtful and positive thread.

mj, Your thoughts made me think of the potluck dinners I've been to when everyone decides to eat the same thing which quickly disappears. Many won't try anything new leaving much wasted nourishment. That reminds me of how frequently people are unable to open their minds to new ways of thinking.

Ben, I like this thread.

Cool thread Ben. Thank you for posting that.

~Dottie

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mj14 said:
Ben, I'm sorry I replied the way I did...

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No need to apologize I asked for thoughts, not just positive thoughts. (I liked the "dish" you brought to this thread; not everything about a potluck dinner is positive, after all.)

MJ, you may have apologized but I don't think it was warranted... or is it because I so agree with you! For me, it's a case of saying "Try this!! It's SOOOOO GOOOOOD!" Sometimes, I'll get a "It LOOKS good, but no, thank you." Some of the time, I can't even get anyone to even look at the "dish" and sometimes, a person will pick up the dish and throw it in my face.

I think this ties in with Ramses' post on the Kearkegaard(sp) thread... at least, for me it does.

Good analogy. I like to add that people might like a certain dish one day and a different kind of dish another day, which is the same as looking for different kinds of support.

A question - were you hungry when you were writing this post?

Not sure, but it's a pretty safe bet. I'm always hungry.

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Interesting take, I had never thought of it as such.

Thanks for giving a new perspective!
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What's nice about Pot Luck Dinner Support is if you don't like it, you've still got a lot of wonderful support
Angie