So, where have I been?

Truthfully, I was actually taking a little sabbatical in response to recent events, letting some people blow off some steam before coming back. During this time (and upon making a quick jaunt around dA and FA), I took the time to ponder a few things...

Is it right to make snap decisions about people based on what friends have said, especially if you haven't gotten the chance to really sit down and talk with them?

Who do you trust if you don't know which side of the story to believe, especially when we are unable to provide others with the proof (or un-skewed proof)?

Is it so hard to see past a person's failures, be they those of the friend or their own, and be willing to forgive them?

Have acts of revenge ever solved problems?

Did you ever go along with what the person said because "mob mentality" started setting in?

Doesn't EVERYBODY get cocky at some point in their life, regardless of whether or not it pertains to art?

Shouldn't we hold our judgment of people until AFTER we've really thoroughly looked them over - not just once or twice, but as many times as it takes?

When you decide to look someone over, do you only look at their art/stories/journals, or do you also read the comments everyone's made (if any) on those items?

What separates the difference between a fan, a yes-man, and a friend?

If we continue to live and dwell in the past, how can we ever hope to reach our future?

If we aren't willing to be open about ourselves, how can people know why we act the way we do?

What gives you the right to go criticizing someone you barely know, if only because their art or writing appears better than yours?


If people are doing the best they can with the time they have, shouldn't we encourage them to take their time, instead of rushing them? How has forcing matters ever solved anything?

Just when, if ever, is a hateful outburst justified?

Is there ANYTHING so harmful that it is unforgivable? Even though I know people wouldn't admit it openly, after an argument, don't you know that deep down, you still privately care for the person? Additionally...

...If someone is GENUINELY trying to apologize to you, how will you ever get that message if you have them blocked?

...Take one look at this journal, and you can see that we're all guilty of at least ONE thing here in some way - for some of us, it may be several or all topics. I myself admit to being guilty of all of them, in one way or another.

A wise friend once told me, "Forgiving is easy. Holding a grudge takes effort." Said friend's step-father held a grudge against his grandparents for seven years before finally relenting. Take that knowledge into account, and ask yourself:

How much effort do you think the step-dad had to use to hold that grudge for so long? Effort that could have been spent otherwise?

Was it even worth it in the end?

How much of his life do you think he missed by holding on to that grudge?

Are you willing to do the same?

In closing, I just wanted to check in and see how everyone's doing. If there's still hostilities present, I'll disappear for yet another week and check again. Lather, rinse, repeat. To all those involved (you know who you are), COMMENT in this Journal. When new comments come up, READ THEM.

And to the parties responsible for the recent events...I will always forgive you, no matter what happens, and I hope you will do the same - but I want to see you forgive each other as well. More than anything, I want to see your comments FIRST before the others put theirs up. There needs to be no more secrets amongst ourselves if we are to still be friends. And I do mean NONE.

Lastly, listen to this song.

It only takes about 5 minutes. But you need only listen – let the words sink in; dwell on them. Think about the meaning of this journal, and the senselessness of your hate.

I pray for each and every one of you in the hopes of a resolution.

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EDIT:

Help out artists in need of monies! They're awesome, and could really do with commissions/donations...

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