With technology today, we have access to more resources and can communicate with each other all over the world in an instant. While this is good, it is also bad in my opinion. We have lost the art of written communication. Our hurry-up and get moving society has led to the slaughter of written words. We are quick to the point and have resorted to using abbreviations, dropped the use of capitalization or punctuation or in some cases, reply with a solitary animated icon.

I became acutely aware of this with the addition of two new members, Moonlight and Starlight. They write in a manner that is reminiscent of a forgotten time where the written word was the only entertainment and information we had. Words seemed to have much more meaning then. The words almost melodic in themselves; forget what they were trying to say!

I applaud Moonlight and Starlight for bringing the joy of reading back to me. I enjoy the posts because the writing is so eloquent. Each post sets a mood with visualizations and effective use of language.

So often, I have seen terrible misunderstandings in forums because the tone of a post was misinterpreted. The reader hears a negative tone where the writer meant something else. It is very difficult to add emphasis and feeling or to convey emotions. That’s why I call it an art. Spoken words have inflections and pauses where you want to emphasize what you are saying. Sarcasm is difficult to read in posts sometimes. So yes, I say again, written communication is Art when done correctly.

Just had to get that out there. LOL = Laughing Out Loud =

Awwwww...

*huge soggy happy smile*

That's so sweet...

*nudges Moonlight* Lookit what she said about our writing styles...

Don't you just wanna hug her? I'm going to.

*giving Pandora a very warm hug*

Thank you.. for your wonderful praise about the few postings (I think this is number 3) I have done here...

I agree with you that many people have either lost or simply have not ever developed writing skills... I am not sure what the reason for that is.

I do know that words have always been wonderous things to me and your reaction is truly positive reinforcement of that.

Again, thank you.

Hear, hear, Pandora!

I must say that I agree fully with your thoughts and it truly is wonderful to have both Moonlight and Starlight join us as new members here at SK. I, too, enjoy reading their posts; they're *most* enthusiastic and their posts a delight to read.

xoxo!
Kell

I couldn't agree with you ladies more!

This is short, yes, but to the point

*warmly agrees with Starlight about it being so sweet, to read so many kind and generous things said about us both!*

*is deeply touched by such thoughtfulness and sweetness. *

Awwwwww! *grins as he sees Starlight has echoed that feeling* Y'know twin, sometimes I swear we're two bodies and one mind...

*warmly* Well take it from me, one of the things that attracted me to this place was the willingness for people to write literately, warmly, and at length about any subject that interested them. Put simply, you lovely women are no slouches yourselves, when it comes to the art of communication! *huge smile*

I am truly overwhelmed by this thread *gets a bit soggy himself* It is such a lovely feeling, to be made this welcome, and to feel your words are so appreciated! =)

*gives Pandora a deep warm hug for posting this in the first place*

*then gives KellKell and Trinity a big warm hug too, for adding their own positive feelings!*

It truly is, a pleasure to be here! Thank you!

*love and light* - Moonlight =)

Pandora, you have made such an important point, and it is true that feeling has gone out of writing in modern times, and people think they can convey feelings with shorter and shorter responses. It just isn't so.

You are right, SpiritKeep has been specially blessed by the presence of Moonlight and Starlight in our midst, and I cannot help loving the way they write. They are two very special people, and everyone should have at least one friend who is so kind and full of love, it just fills the room.

Thank you both, Moonlight and Starlight, for joining our little sanctuary on the internet, and helping to make it a better place for everyone who comes here. Spiritkeep was founded on just this kind of hope and dreams, to have a message board where people don't flame another, and try to tear down someone else's belief with cruel words. Here, we try to show kindness and understanding to all. Every person has their own truths, and it is not right to be tearing each other to shreds, even by accident, by saying something carelessly or in a fashion that can be taken in too many ways by those who read it. Coming back later and saying it was "only a joke" is a poor excuse for not expressing yourself with the right feelings for what you really meant in the first place! All too often, the supposed "joke" was really not a joke at all.

Much love and many blessings to our new members, Moonlight and Starlight. {{{{warm soft hugs}}}}

Mare

*reads what Mare posted and feels incredibly touched by such heartfelt, positive words*

*isn't often lost for words himself by things people say... but this time, is willing to make an exception*

*collects himself, and tries to do such a warm-spirited message justice, in his reply*

*quietly and warmly* Mare, I have travelled all over the web over the years, and talked to - literally - thousands of people, in that time. And some of the things you said about our presence here have to be some of the warmest and most welcoming words it's been my pleasure to hear!

I am so in accord with your philosophy of a place where people are made welcome and treat each other with kindness and affection. In fact, reading the words you wrote, they could have been written by me, such was the empathy I felt... *smiling and nodding in agreement*

You speak about our presence lighting up the room, but what comes across for me, is how much your presence lights up this entire place! You are so filled with positive energy, so upbeat, so lively, so warm and enthusiastic that it makes me smile inside AND out, every time I see your name appear on my screen! =)

Bless you, for making us feel so welcome. And bless you for having a place like this for making us feel welcome in! *huge beaming hug*

[ August 07, 2006, 08:28 PM: Message edited by: Moonlight ]

*stacks up some kindling*

*piles lots of very dry wood on top of that*

*lights it all with her lighter*

*gathers everyone around and gets everyone to hold hands and sing Koom by-ah*


*very warm laugh* I hope nobody takes offence at the first part of this posting....

It's just that this is such a caring, warm community and this thread is so sweet and full of compliments to each other that my humourous side had to say something.

By the way, I don't think people are nice enough to each other often enough so this thread has touched me more deeply than you might think.