This came up in a conversation today and I thought it might be a good thing to put to the community. I'm not an expert, I'm not a moderator, I'm not a figure of authority in any way, shape or form, and I'm definitely not smarter than anyone. But between experiences and stories and murmurings and comments, I have seen and heard a few things.

When you interact with someone on GWA that you don't know yet, keep this in mind: GWA attracts mostly caterpillars, not butterflies. Most people who come here do not come as fully fledged whatever-it-is-that-they-are. They will discover things about themselves and that will change them. If you are looking for someone who will be a certain way when they are fully matured and bloomed and self-realized, there's a very high probability that they're not there yet.

These people may be taking their first careful steps on a long journey to discover many things about themselves, to develop a taste for things they don't even know they like yet. There may also be people who think they are one way but will soon realize they're not, or who pull off looking like they are one way but really aren't.

What I mean is: talk to the people you're trying to get to know and find out what they're about. Be okay with finding out that sometimes you just don't click with someone, or that as one or both of you change, that starts to happen. Help people who are new if you have time, and always be kind to them. (And this is another topic, but if someone has helped you or done something for you, don't assume that your appreciation is obvious.)

Don't be worried or jealous or intimidated by people who are already further along their journey than what you are. This is not a race, and there's as many destinations as there are people. And since you always control where you're going and at which speed, no one knows where your destination is better than you do.

Look after one another, be patient with one another. Always remember that you don't owe anyone anything, and don't give anyone who fails to realize this the benefit of your time and attention. Most of all, enjoy yourselves and have fun. You are sexier than you realize, your spirit is worth feeding and this is a place where you are allowed to acknowledge both of these things without any consequences.