The value of forum upvotes
[Note: Originally posted in Listeners Only forums, but moved to general forum because this is relevant for all!]
There is something that I've notice about the forums while just observing and not actively participating.
If you're interested in supporting people, truly interested in supporting people, I ask you to try this one thing after reading this post. Go to one support forum thread and read someone's story. You don't need to reply but just read.
I think we can all recall times in our lives when we have been hurt, have been spurned, or have felt alone. Have been lost in our negative thoughts, seeking affirmation from others whether it be positive or whether it be negative.
Do you remember those times?
When I read the support forums, I see hundreds of posts made every day by members. And I see hundreds of threads created by those same members.
What are they after when they post?
Are they after a panacea, a magic bullet to cure all of their ills?
Can you think of a time when you've been there?
When you feel as though you're alone, hiding in the dark. Terrified from the
lack of light, all you are after is one spark to inspire. One spark to remind you that you are important. One spark to acknowledge that you're still worthy of someone's time and attention.
So when I see post after post after post unacknowledged, it makes me wonder. If I was them and I had shown the courage to spill my soul out onto the page for others and nobody had acknowledged that it had even been seen. How would I feel?
As a listener community, we give appreciation readily and openly to one another. Community shout outs to listeners are posted every day. Anonymous appreciation messages are sent daily, again to fellow listeners. Acknowledgement after acknowledgement of one another which is so kind and open however why can this not be shared with our members?
Let me just say this.
A man beaten down by society sits on the side of the road, soul destroyed. Watching person after person look away quickly to avoid his gaze. It makes you feel like less of a human being. A smile, an acknowledgement is worth more to that man than all of the gold that has been mined from this earth.
In the support forums, that acknowledgement is easy. It's called an upvote. A simple click of an upvote to show that someone has taken the time and care to read what they have posted.
Please, spend 30 seconds and make a difference to a member's life today because a forum upvote can be all that it takes.
To go along with this (I'll throw this into the suggestion box too), I have seen forums where it's possible to select those where there's only the OP, no other posts or replies following. Is this something that could be implemented to make it easier for us to find the posts that have been overlooked?
Roadie, I completely agree! Sometimes I go through the original-poetrythread and make sure that no one has a lonely 0 upvotes next to his or her submission,.
If someone has the guts to post a personal work of art for all to see, I think they deserve at least one upvote--mine.
I try to post textresponses, too -- but when I'm pressed for time, I go from page to page reading poems and adding upvote, upvote, upvote. 
And other threads, too. When a listener has taken the time to write a thoughtful response, I don't like tosee0upvotes, so I'm there upvoting -- even if it maynot be the bestestmost super-awesomepost. It's a little appreciationcampaignI like to do (anonymous love-drops) -- a way of saying "thanks" tolisteners who take the time to peruse the thread and offer their ideas and experience. 
Rock on, @Roadie!
@Roadie Powerful thread you have created here. Thankyou for the time and effort you put into such a well articulated and mindfully shared post. I think that it is important to do as you have encouraged here, and I will definatley be an ongoing part of upvoting, and any other ways of supporting members and guests hereas you have so wonderfullyencouraged all of us Listeners to do. I will also continue to support my fellow Listeners here, as well, through the forums,chat rooms, etc. All people here at 7 Cups of Tea deserve to feel "seen", heard, suppported, and validated, as you so elequently pointed out here. Much thanks to you. Again, very powerful, and I appreciate this so much.
Thank you to everyone who read this and took a something out of it. And thank you very much to @YourNewLight for your encouragement and advertising of this post. You have certainly paid it forward to the members by doing so. I really appreciate it!
Upvoting to support the cause!
I love this post @Roadie. *huge bump*
Also a big fan of this post @Roadie *bump*
What a wonderful sentiment, Roadie. I'll get started right away!
The reason behind this post hasn't changed in the past few weeks. Our members still need support in the forums. Unashamedly bumping.
Such a quick and simple thing we can do to make others feel heard. I love this idea. Let's all commit to up voting our member's posts as much as we can.
thank you for the gentle reminder. Will do some upvotingnow
I must say this is very well put and what a outstanding Thread that gets views and gives a way supported information to help......