"Sincerity is the fulfillment
of our own nature,
and to arrive at it we need
only follow our own true Self.
Sincerity is the beginning
and end of existence;
without it, nothing can endure.
Therefore the mature person
values sincerity above all things."
― Tzu-ssu
"If you find yourself criticizing other people, your probably doing it out of Resistance. When we see others beginning to live their authentic selves, it drives us crazy if we have not lived out our own.
Individuals who are realized in their own lives almost never criticize others. if they speak at all, it is to offer encouragement. Watch yourself. Of all the manifestations of Resistance, most only harm ourselves. Criticism and cruelty harm others as well."
―
Stephen Pressfield [/QUOTE]
Amen.
And Senior, what might be construed as "catering to one's minions" just might be being soft to their differences, because we don't all agree and many of us do know and like each other even if we don't share commonalities of religion or politics. We support each other out of friendship.
Another thing is that if you read this forum every day, and keep a pulse on it, it doesn't take long to pick up on those who are angry about something that no one can change and are almost always negative.
Because we ARE older we usually have more of a traditional view of life. I think that the negative people feel that somehow they are being "left out". And some carry with them wherever they go the same things that have caused them pain and loneliness in the past. Some grow and learn and some cannot change.
And some although they have faced awful obstacles are always warm and loving and accepting. It is VERY difficult to know what a person is like from the printed page. And very difficult to pick up on what is truth and what is fiction. Many come here and try to invent a new self, but that doesn't work long. If they had controversy and trouble in the past, usually it will follow them, sadly that is true.
I look forward to you coming here and spending time with some of the frequent posters. I think then you can judge for yourself.
Kind wishes,
Gracie