Changes

==Further InformationThe Mission and Idea of the group==

Honesty is encouragedI often think back (yes, reflect) on why I started the Reflections Meetings. I think, for the most part, so it becomes more than silly was just to get people together and openly and honestly ask a very basic question, "Club ChatWHY do WE need a second (or virtual) life to begin with?" or subtle put-downs. What am I looking for? The expectation comments that came from that simple question has been and continues to talk openly about the Virtual Life experience does lean toward members addressing good, bad be very eye-opening for me and ugly moments in their virtual livesa bit cathartic for participants. (both current With my 35 year RL background in the study of human behaviour, of course, the various responses are intriguing to hear and on other gridsfor the groups themselves? a mystery to decipher.....but NO Grid bashing!!!)

Without exceptions, participants Several questions grew out of this group on one simple question:~ How well do you respect other grids 's boundaries?~ How can one tell if they are addicted to VL?~ What is your greatest skill that might be shared with a grid?~ What has been your best/worst relationship?~ Why do some hate or grief?~ What have you learned about yourself through VL?~ How does anonymity play into VL?~ What advice would you give to anyone coming into virtual life?~ and many others...... However, after having conducted 4 years of Reflection meetings in virtual life, I have had positive thoughts witnessed another (or maybe several) side benefits. 1) The act of residents coming together and words for sharing the honest "good, bad & ugly" history of their journeys here in this effortcrazy world has helped us BOND. They often say things likeWe quickly observe we have all shared a LOT of similar highs and lows of virtual life. The virtual platform allowed us to see the same heartaches, disappointments and thrills in dealing with people, even in the virtual avatar form. 2) The 'coming together' with the purpose of honestly sharing with fellow residents also seems to build "This is TRUST". Trust was a very reoccurring theme and topic. We all appreciated the value and how critical trust played in our virtual world. But to push forward and openly discuss 'trust' in a group setting was in and of itself unique" or "! It opened us up to be known'. It revealed WHO we donreally [200] were and what 'needs't get we had for this experience....a slippery subject in this type of virtual universe. and 3) I have seen how being honest conversations about our virtual livesbuilt unity and cooperation among grid members. The term "family"is often overly used by many grids where there seems to be very little actual evidence of a 'family feel' at all. But what is a key factor in a family???? (Una Riona Well, in my opinion, healthy ones share openly with all members.....acknowledge the good times and Orb Emerald bad...are two you could contact held accountable with responsibilities but learn from mistakes ....and above all....have a climate of respect, acceptance and forgiveness. I have witnessed the Reflection Group meetings building and supporting all this and i hope would more. SOOO.... what's the "mission" of REFLECTIONS???? The Beatles may have positive things to say about THEIR participation in said it)best "COME together....right now....over 'us'....." "We do not learn from experience....we learn from reflecting on our experience." ~ John Dewey