Eagle, as always, well said, especially about the risks.

Thank you for browsing through my blog. If you read more of what I have posted on my blog, I think you will find it is a "mosaic" of who I am.

I came to live in CA through marriage. My DH was born in San Francisco and grew up in the Bay Area.

Very true, Eagle Heart, about the "risk when sharing our hearts in such an open public forum." I was picked apart verbally on another forum (not here at BWS) by one of the members because I allowed myself to be open and trusting. This statement is reflective of how I feel right now:

“Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.”

A mosaic of who you are...
yes we are all a small part of the Whole....and no one person can be read as the same as another, our facets are what makes for interest.Most people are different things to different people..
I have several roles...

My wish in life as well as in any community the bws included is to feel safe and welcomed.

Well said, NYWoman. To be honest, I admittedly pick and choose when and where to be open and trusting, even here at BWS. There are some discussions and threads where I have not felt comfortable or informed enough to speak my opinions, but I'm ok with that. It's the same for me in any social gathering, there are always different clumps of discussions going on in various sections of the room...some I hover on the periphery, interested but not knowledgeable enough to participate; some I jump right in; and others have no appeal whatsoever, so I bypass altogether. I see BWS as the same sort of thing. And I think it's only natural to gravitate toward the familiar (and safe), especially when I'm feeling most vulnerable or lonely, because those are the people I know best, I know how they're most likely to respond, respect and care if/when I dare to contribute. I hate to think that that makes it cliquish...I suppose it could be misconstrued that way. For me, it's simply "safe and familiar", a place to find stability and footing before venturing into the more unfamiliar discussions with lesser known voices - I'm ALWAYS afraid of being "picked apart verbally" - and WILL stay away from a thread if I sense that there's anybody there who could or would do that to anyone.

Your quote makes me realize how many women here have climbed in through my closed doors and locked windows to show me how deeply they care...there are many who have emailed, PM'd me time and time again, caring enough to break through my hibernation, silence and fear. I guess that's a huge part of the healing I've found here.

NYWoman,
Sorry you don't feel welcome sometimes. I have not met any of
these women in real life. Soon I'll be a member here for five
years. I feel the warmth and spirit of many of these members.
I suppose I mouth off too much. But I've been through a lot of
trauma these past few years and posting on BWS has helped me
stay above depression. I truly believe I was directed to this
site, because I have no idea how I found it. But Thank God I did!

The secret of feeling like you belong is simple and only three words long:...............................
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Anne,
Methinks U R a very deep thinker. I don't know the answers.
Sometimes I put my 2 cents in but not sure if that's a good idea.
I do care about U and am sorry you don't have family to talk
stuff over with. But know this: I have family I can't talk 2!

Ed3,
What's chu talkin' 'bout?????

lol Jabber, I was just replying to NYwoman's post. Sorry, didn't make myself too clear there.