Luna Bliss

No, through some very serious shamanic energy work I have morphed into my avatar. My physical being no longer exists. I don't even need to eat or sleep anymore.

Are you calling us psychopaths? ("Lack of empathy..") I'm glad you're aware that one component of a psychopath's makeup is lack of empathy. Most would realize this does not mean all people who display a lack of empathy about an issue would be a psychopath though. Most people would know this.

From my understanding, people who do bad things but don't have a guilty conscience, are called "psychopaths". She was responding to your assertion that those who were concerned about getting AR'd had a "serious case of guilty conscience". In other words, those who are concerned about the ramifications of all this don't have some sort of pathology -- they have valid concerns.

The oompa loompas are very freaked out about any type of sexuality, or so they pretend.

The infraction being reported likely doesn't warrant a lifetime ban and loss of all the time and money the Resident invested, especially considering that the reporter had the ability to just block and derender the offender. Most of all, the offence was probably just something that didn't suit the reporter's personal taste. The lack of empathy is astounding on this thread. The severity for breaking the TOS is much greater than for other types of infractions. No wonder child avatars are concerned.

Today I, as a fairy, danced with a tree at yet another Beltane celebration:

Me trying to trap Love or Love trying to trap me? Love trying to trap you. Just think of how all of our words here on the forum are frequently misinterpreted. If we would be able to access everything anybody ever said in SL, and especially without context, the potential for distortion would be enormous.

You tell me, I'm not the one worried about my IM's! I figure anyone who is must be pretty dark. No offense, of course. Trying to trap someone, especially via distorting what they mean, isn't kind.

However, according to grid survey there is a constant trend, A rated sims increase, M rated sims decrease, G rated stay more or less stable (due to the fact that they are almost exclusively residing on mainland). Why? Who knows? And who cares? Fact is that people set sims to A and these are mature enough to decide on that. Daniel cared, so I gave my best guess. Don't like my guesses, don't read them. And my answer had absolutely NOTHING to do with whether I thought a sim owner was mature enough to decide what they wanted, nor did I disparage them for making whatever choice they wanted.

I suspect that many who set their region 'A' simply don't like rules/restrictions, and when you've set your region to 'M' you've basically accepted a restriction given by LL for such regions (sex only behind closed doors, parcel set to invisible, blah blah blah). So it's the feeling one gets by being more free that often determines the preference of owning an 'A' sim.

Kirtan was fun today:

And before Kirtan, somehow I survived dance rehearsal, and only once did somebody have to say "LUNA!! You're on the wrong dance pad!!!"

I've been dancing @ Kirtan, and that always puts me in a good mood, rather giddy atm. About ready to peruse Fantasy Fairre before the doors are closed this year. A friend is one of the fire dancers @ 5pm.

We've elected you, Kathlen, as head of our new group, The Undie Patrol Group

I've started 'The Undie Patrol Group' for those who want to go out spying and make AR's on our fellow residents.

Much of what you said makes a lot of sense to me. A strong emotional response is the first clue that I better slow down and not say anything just yet. I question why I'm feeling so strongly about what they said before responding. Likely there's something within myself that could be interfering with how I'm interpreting their comment, and I need to discover what this is If I'm to come from a clear place with my response.

I really like using what's known as 'mindfulness' when speaking with others in a kind manner. Mindfulness wisdom often recommends reflecting on whether what we are about to say is true, kind, gentle, and timely. Is it True? Is it Helpful? Am I the one to say it? What are the Intentions and Impact? Is it Necessary, Now? Is it Kind? T: Is it true? First and foremost, we want to speak the truth. In this way, we avoid harming others, and we also are less likely to ensnare ourselves in a web of lies, mistruths and the cognitive dissonance and guilt that come with them. And let’s face it, lying usually comes from an attempt to defend our self-image and identity, also known as our ego, which only creates more unhappiness. What’s more, starting with a little lie, according to the research, does lead to a slippery slope where it gets more comfortable for our brains to tell bigger and bigger lies. Our limbic “alarm system,” which activates when we tell first a lie, diminishes with each new untruth, leading to more lies and more problems. Saying what’s true is more than merely the opposite of lying. It’s the importance of speaking our truth. At a more nuanced level, we want to speak important truths, because they might help and inspire others. Saying what’s true is more than merely the opposite of lying. It’s the importance of speaking our truth, and speaking truth to power, which themselves can be revolutionary and empowering acts. This can lead to the political change we’ve seen in truth and reconciliation processes around the world, restorative justice work being done in many of our communities and schools. It can also lead to social change, as it did in the #metoo movement in which survivors speaking their truth inspired millions to speak their truths and shake the foundations of how our culture perpetuates abuse. H: Is it helpful? Before we speak, we can reflect on whether it will actually be of benefit to anyone, including ourselves. One of my own habits I’m trying to break is gossiping. Gossip about others might be true, but it’s rarely helpful and often harmful. Even bragging might be true, but if it’s helpful at all, it’s only helpful to us—and more likely annoying and alienating to others. The same is true when we offer certain kinds of feedback to those around us: The words we choose might very well be true, but they might not exactly be helpful. Are you really in a situation right now where it is helpful to point out that the weather is lousy, or the traffic is bad? I: Am I the one to say it? Some statements may be true, and helpful—yet it may not be our business to give voice to them. As a therapist, I often am the one to say it, but with other roles in my life, I’m not. Gentle feedback might be better received from a coach than from a parent, and I’m certainly not going to be the one to teach my son calculus. On the other hand, I am often the best person to explain something emotionally challenging or to break bad news to my own family. Sometimes we wonder if we are the one to speak up about an issue, so as to be an “upstander” rather than a “bystander.” Wise reflection helps us discern that as hard as it may be, it is our job to speak up. Still, the challenge can come in knowing if we are being baited or trolled into a fruitless keyboard battle or dinner-table debate, which is when these other “I” guidelines may help: What is my intention, and what was my impact? While impact may be unpredictable, we would do well to reflect on it in our speech, as well as reflecting on the personal intention behind what we’re itching to say. N Is it Necessary, and is Now the time? Even when other guidelines work, we might still ask ourselves if what we want to say is actually necessary. We can WAIT, a helpful mnemonic I learned in my training as a therapist, and simply ask ourselves Why Am I Talking? Sometimes, the most mindful speech of all is no speech, but rather restraint of keyboard and tongue, or simply listening. Besides, we might also communicate through our body language and facial microexpressions in ways more revealing than our words. More of what we really mean might get across if we bite our tongue for a minute or two. All too often, we speak just to fill the space or alleviate our anxiety about silence with idle chatter. A friend may come to us seeking support, and in many cases the reality is that the best form of support is our silent and compassionate presence. It may be our ability to fully and mindfully listen and validate, rather than offering a solution that helps most. How much do we really have to say, at all? Experiment with using fewer words, and see the results. It is also in our silences and pauses in conversation that we create the space for budding insights and ideas to emerge. Silence is all too rare in our busy world, yet remains an opportunity for an intimate moment. We used to joke in my family that for my grandmother, the opposite of speaking was waiting, rather than listening. It is also in our silences and pauses in conversation that we create the space for budding insights and ideas to emerge. Also keep in mind that timing is everything. Is having the “drugs/sex talk” with your kids more helpful before or after they’ve begun experimenting? There’s a time for everything, and science backs this up: Researchers have examined the best times for things like asking for a raise, or when we tend to have the most effective work meetings. K: Is it Kind? In the end, feedback will be best received if it’s presented in a way that’s patient and kind. When someone is feeling attacked, their fight-or-flight response overrides their ability to take in new information. Under threat real or imagined, our brain shuts down the areas where we take perspective, see the big picture, understand where someone else might be coming from, and access our critical interpersonal and communication skills. Harsh words or tone may change how someone is acting in the moment, but often lead to collateral damage, and rarely do they create change in the long term. Another aspect of kindness to consider is whether our conversation is ultimately positive or negative. I’ve noticed in myself and others that it’s often easier to default to negativity than positivity, especially when we are trying to connect. We tend to think of adolescents as being dismissive of everything, yet as adults we’re not always much more mature in this regard, as we often grumble to each other about spouses or supervisors rather than focusing on the positive as a means of connection. As a challenge, try paying attention to this in your regular interactions, whether they are on the whole more positive or more negative. The answer might surprise you. Here, the old adage “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” is worth examining—see what arises in that quiet.

I see the announcement now.... ................. LAB GAB TALKS SPANKING HUDS

That's quite the can alright.

I have to disagree with your first point -- I think it's good that LL show they are not tolerating illegal activities in SL, given the political climate in the US and how restrictions are likely to get worse for all online venues. Additional help is needed from LL though (I agree with your past emphasis on this) so everyone can comply as easily as possible. And a kind attitude toward those bearing the brunt of these changes (child avatars) would also be helpful.

Thank you, Dyna.