Ciqueish? What is the definition of a clique?

@CookieCrumbs Ahh, well-articulated, but where does that leave the ones scared, scarred, hurt, left not trusting, but trying again, hoping, believing...

@CookieCrumbs This is a valuable thought for everyone, not just newbies. If you don't feel included maybe the person needs to look inward instead of trying to find blame in others. Maybe the person is a loner and simply, no matter how much one tries to include them, they are going to find fault because they do not understand or appreciate the efforts of others. Maybe there is no clique at all, but rather many individuals with different ideas of what a clique is, what being popular is, and what being ignored is. I am far from popular but I never feel ignored but at the same time I do try to reach out to others that express that they feel excluded. That was the whole point of the writers and other challenges, and we have talked about this before. Everyone is welcome to join us... we added song lyrics, pictures, photography, and other artistic efforts because people reached out to me and asked if it was okay. Not only was it okay, but we welcomed it. We added links to other person's posts on daily writing challenges as well although the people that were doing those haven't posted new ones recently. Yes, I'm the one that posts the weekly challenge, but let there be no mistake, that is NOT my post. That post belongs to all who decide to create posts based on the information contained in it. That is an example of, on average around 200 people that each week create posts or provide support to each other. People come and go there but it is a sign of people wanting to be included and including others. I think this is what the original poster was trying to express the need for this, because it isn't really enough.

@Ladyred

Those who are, in your words, “ the ones scared, scarred, hurt, left not trusting, but trying again, hoping, believing...” have other reasons for feeling that way, and it’s not entirely because of cliques in any community. They have their own real life experiences that have shaped how they see themselves, how trusting they are, and how willing they are to let others in.

Some of them would find the courage to reach out to the community. There are so many kind members who extend their hand to offer a kind word, support, and possibly closer friendship eventually.

@Fungirlmmm
And you could be right. Maybe those previous efforts were not enough, though they were a great help in bringing people of similar interests together.

What I’m trying to say is that I think the SW community is doing the best it can.... but they could only do so much.

We as individual members should also take a step forward to find where we could belong and who would embrace us, with all our baggage and faults. That doesn’t happen overnight.

There are those who would accept us for who we are if they see that we are showing our authentic selves. But we would not find those people if we sit at the sidelines...

@CookieCrumbs it has taken me years to decades to learn to trust and reach out to others. EP helped me to do that, as does SW. For most of my life I have walked alone, and thought that was what I wanted, because I saw people as cruel, violent and brutish.

Meeting people here, and occassionally in real life, I have learned they aren't necessarily as I believed them to be. That there are good people out there. I also learned it takes effort on my part to meet them and join in, they won't seek me out.

@CookieCrumbs You are right on the money. It is called "Similar Worlds" for a reason.

@PrivateHell 👍️ I'm glad we became friends through a crazy website. :)

@PrivateHell you’re a good dude. And honestly I think you’re an example many who may feel outcast should follow. I’ve seen an evolution in you over the time we’ve known each other. You may not see it but believe me I and others have. Proud of you my friend.

@JesseInTX That's some truth right there because you told me the exact same thing about him last night. I think you said, "I have much respect for Mr. Hell."

@JesseInTX @Fungirlmmm thank you both. It's been a long road, but I am getting there.

@PrivateHell You are amazing.

@Fungirlmmm so are you my friend.

@Fungirlmmm you got it exactly right. I remember first interacting with @PrivateHell and I 100% have respect for him.

@JesseInTX you are a great guy. Proud to call you friend.

@PrivateHell you’re doing a hell of a job my friend. And many people can benefit from your journey. Again I’m proud of you 👍🏻

@CookieCrumbs Thank you for that exposure, it was the depth of my story tonight...at once we can believe again that human beings are just human beings, we face the same fears, the same complications, the same joys, even the same difficult relationships..This is OUR story one in the same....thank you for sharing this with us..you are beautiful..(;