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The value of forum upvotes

Roadie June 11th, 2015

[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.

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KyleConnor June 16th, 2016

Ya. You know the upvotes are just a way to tell a person that you found their comments helpful / useful.

It's like a positive response and cheers up to know that you're helping people.

That's the best feeling.

delicateBeach66 June 16th, 2016

Hi everyone,
I am here as an intern. Hope it will work fine. :)

This is a wonderful thread @Roadie, I wholeheartedly 100% agree, the power of an upvote is priceless, and often carries with it, a smile, recognition and undoubtably, a spurt of confidence. ALL of our members deserve to be heard if they take the time and courage to reveal their life story!

I've also leaned the meaning behind - BUMPING! ๐Ÿ˜€

2 replies
Roadie OP June 23rd, 2016

@professionalPerspective60

Thanks.. it's been a year since I posted this but the message remains the same

Lilylistens June 23rd, 2016

@professionalPerspective60 ~

I agree with you so much! Which I guess is obvious, as I have bumped this up many times...hoping that this gives it the exposure it deserves, and is read and taken to heart by even more persons here. heart

ps: Thank you for the smile! Your comment, "I've also leaned the meaning behind - BUMPING!" certainly put a big smile on my face. laugh

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Lilylistens July 6th, 2016

*bump*

SerendipitousWillow July 16th, 2016

Bump! Because this is beautiful. But I also have a question: I thought I got a notification saying somebody "hearted" something I posted. The notification disappeared so I can't go back and check, but if I'm remembering correctly, what's the difference between a heart and an upvote? Thanks

2 replies
Roadie OP July 16th, 2016

Hi @SerendipitousWillow

If someone hearted something that you posted, it would have been something that you posted in the Feed. If someone upvotes one of your posts, it's a post in the forum :)

1 reply
SerendipitousWillow July 16th, 2016

@Roadie Oh, that makes sense! Thanks so much!

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NumberEleven July 17th, 2016

bump

MelodyClementi July 21st, 2016

Need some upvotes. Can you help me out? :/

2 replies
Roadie OP July 22nd, 2016

Hi @MelodyClementi

Post supportive around the site and you'll find that they come to you in spades :)

1 reply
MelodyClementi July 22nd, 2016

@Roadie Yes, I will. Thanks so much! :)

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Roadie OP August 22nd, 2016

Bumping this up for a new month

1 reply
professionalPerspective60 August 22nd, 2016

@Roadie

Haha! Great minds think alike! This was on my 'to do' list for today ๐Ÿ˜€

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Occulacemy September 5th, 2016

Couldn't agree more. Had my first upvote today and it really put a smile on my face. The fact that something I wrote connected with someone is a great feeling.

BellaFreedom September 7th, 2016

@Roadie Beautiful thought! Let us say YES to appreciation, motivation, acceptance, respect, love and support... we all deserve that! Let's make this world a better place, there's too much suffering already!!!

heart