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<blockquote data-quote="BSF" data-source="post: 1723962" data-attributes="member: 13098">Rel,I assumed the possibility that this was a gag.&nbsp; I also assumed that I could be cynical and derisive, or I could try to be compassionate.&nbsp; The fact that it could be a fellow human being in this mess is what urges me to post.&nbsp; After all, what are the consequences?&nbsp; If I post with compassion and concern, maybe it will be a gag.&nbsp; OK, ha ha, jokes on me.&nbsp; Big deal.If I post with cynicism and it isn't a gag, I just missed out an opportunity to maybe help someone.&nbsp; A number of months ago, we had somebody post that they were feeling like they could not go with life.&nbsp; The cry of troll came up in that thread.&nbsp; But really, who cares?&nbsp; I personally emailed that person with hotline numbers to call.&nbsp; I offered to call for them if they needed somebody else to pick up the phone.&nbsp; If it was a gag, what did I lose?&nbsp; If it was for real and I didn't try to help, what would I lose?&nbsp; One of those options is kinda funny, the other isn't.&nbsp; I would rather be compassionate and risk being mocked rather than be cynical and always wonder if I could have helped instead of derided.&nbsp; I know what you are saying.&nbsp; I also posted when you lost your friend.&nbsp; Yeah, enough gags will eventually wear people down, but we choose for ourselves how we respond.&nbsp;&nbsp; I hope the gags are few and far between.&nbsp; I don't delude myself thinking that I can cure anybody.&nbsp; But a nudge to helping that person find help themselves is a good thing.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="BSF, post: 1723962, member: 13098"] Rel, I assumed the possibility that this was a gag. I also assumed that I could be cynical and derisive, or I could try to be compassionate. The fact that it could be a fellow human being in this mess is what urges me to post. After all, what are the consequences? If I post with compassion and concern, maybe it will be a gag. OK, ha ha, jokes on me. Big deal. If I post with cynicism and it isn't a gag, I just missed out an opportunity to maybe help someone. A number of months ago, we had somebody post that they were feeling like they could not go with life. The cry of troll came up in that thread. But really, who cares? I personally emailed that person with hotline numbers to call. I offered to call for them if they needed somebody else to pick up the phone. If it was a gag, what did I lose? If it was for real and I didn't try to help, what would I lose? One of those options is kinda funny, the other isn't. I would rather be compassionate and risk being mocked rather than be cynical and always wonder if I could have helped instead of derided. I know what you are saying. I also posted when you lost your friend. Yeah, enough gags will eventually wear people down, but we choose for ourselves how we respond. I hope the gags are few and far between. I don't delude myself thinking that I can cure anybody. But a nudge to helping that person find help themselves is a good thing. [/QUOTE]

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