RE: The new Active Rain and the importance of points...

My AR Friend Richard Weisser wrote a great blog today: Some thoughts on the new ActiveRain, the importance of points, and how it affects the old-timers!

I had to chime in, and as those of you who know me, I tend to get a little long winded at times.  But I was touched, I care, and I happened to be in one of 'those' moods because it was 'one' of those days when I came upon it, so there you go...

Richard, and a few others in the Active Rainiverse messaged me and asked, "Rene', dude, why don't you simply post this?" Well like 'duh'... today was just one of those complicated days, and that was just too obvious and I overlooked it. So here you go...

Richard: Nice post... I still consider myself a newbie around here, still staggering around in the dark. I do understand AR points I think, at least sometimes. I equate them to certificates of completion and approval. When the game is played fair, it's kinda like your community of peers giving you approval and rewarding you with a glass google juice. But, if it were all just about points (I do a little quick math) I could blog and comment everyday to the max for years to even touch most of you guys. That would defeat me, so why even try. Fortunately for me, that's not what I'm up to.

I'm a busy guy who puts in a lot of hours and am engaged in all kinds of really interesting things. One of them happens to be ActiveRain. I have a blast here and the points aren't what motivate me. I'm one of those weird guys I guess that don't need motivation. I'm always running around in awe with my hair on fire and need to remember to chill out once in a while and relax. I only know one speed, full tilt! There's just so many things to do, so many cool ideas to follow.

Scammers don't bother me (most of the time). Occassionally they're just kind of like a petty tyrant. That's what I love about the whole internet online thing. If you are a scammer, inauthentic, trying to 'work' the system... You really show up bright on the old radar screen.

I find joy and meaning here at AR and it's fulfilling to simply participate and contribute as I can. I've learned much. But, most of all, it's getting to know people like yourself. That would most likely never have happened if I wouldn't have stepped into the world of AR that one fateful day. So many of you have been very warm and thoughtful, engaged me, helped me, included me, and simply communicate. I love following several bloggers here including your own. Many of you delight my sense of curiosity, contribute meaningful conversation, but more than that... a few of you really have some depth and take on some pretty heavy issues from time to time with a great attitude and openness.

I think as a society today we're in a kind of mass cultural shock and stunned. The world changed profoundly over the past few years and no one actually comprehends the magnitude of it. We're to 'in it' and to close to see it. I don't mean that in the negative, it's just a fact. We woke up one day so globally intertwined it's baffling for most.

So what do we do now? I say it's simple... We need to be masters of the obvious. Back to the basics! Let the world be what it is. Build new meaningful relationships authentically and one at a time. Reinvent old ones and continue to build trust. Explore, seek to ask the right questions (they're way more important than the answers), contemplate, relax, enjoy each other... share, share, share, and keep communicating. Mentoring is a huge factor. There is no greater gift than talking with someone who has found their own voice. As John Lennon said, "Think globally, act locally." We just have a different local than we use to!

Again, thanks... you've given me a few things to think about.

René