I have spent a good deal of time online, and much of it has been spent idly reading through online forums for Otherkin...
Now here is where you may say:
"Oh you mean like this one?"
And I will say:
"No. Nothing like this one."

Unfortunately a lot of these sites and forums have an unfortunate attitude to any and all of the rest. Many will question your loyalty if they discover you to be a member of another forum insisting that you cannot be fully loyal to one whilst posting similar questions or information on another. (I have just deleted my membership from one forum because of this attitude.)
However with only just so much information available and really only so many ways you can ask the same questions, aswell as the same popular questions being asked by all newcomers to the Otherkin way of life, (Who am I? What am I? Am I crazy? Am I making it up? Can you help me find my kintype? etc etc,) repeating some things is inevitable really, especially as the forums become better established as time goes by.
I don't know about any of you, but here I have never been asked if I am a member of any other forums, if I post anywhere else or if I have a site of my own.
I do not have any problems with the forum, but I feel that if I ever do, then anything I have to say would be listened to and dealt with fairly.
I have been asked for my opinion of every change or addition that has happened here since I joined. And I feel like my opinion counts, at least as much as it can with so many other members.
This forum seems to actually work on the principal of Pay It Forward.
Where you help others with their problems with the idea that they will then go on to help others in their turn.
Some forums will tell you that they have the same ideas, but when you try to share information they don't like it.
I have been a member of other forums because I thought they worked in the same way as this one, but when their way is challenged they quickly close ranks and bring everything back into line again. On these forums, Pay It Forward is unfortunately only a theory.
The owners of some other forums will tell you they are re-incarnations of important ancient ones. They will tell you they are thousands of years old and have re-incarnated several lifetimes! (But of course their memories of those lives are fragmented at best and non-existent mostly!)
The Admins profess to be Elders of their Races or they will tell you they are members of the Elders/Leaders of their groups. That they know what they are talking about and that you should listen to them. Of course they have no proof, none of us do. But most of us do not claim to be Cleopatra/Dracula/The Vampire Lestat/Van Helsing/Horus/Bastet/Horus/Kali/Herne/Zeus/Azazel/Shemyaza/Enoch/Gabriel/Lucifer/Satan/Quetzalcoatl/. Oh the list of the re-incarnated famous is never ending. They will spin you tales and stories which sound plausible, and in fact may be the truth, BUT they will tell you not that it MAY be, but that it IS. And when questioned or challenged will become belligerent/personal/insulting and downright rude. They will do whatever it takes just to shut you up.
From personal experience I think these individuals who shout the loudest about how important they are, actually have the least to say.
The whole point of this post is just to say:
Join forums that are interesting to you, there is nothing wrong with that, but remember that while you may be just a member, your thoughts are just as important as the thoughts of the Admins and the moderators. Just because they are in charge does not necessarily make them right. If you know something that conflicts with what they say, then you have the right to post it, and if you are afraid to do that then why are you a member of that forum? Honesty should matter to them, not just their opinion.
Ask whatever questions you may have, and then pay close attention to how the people you have questioned respond. They may not owe you proof of what they believe, but they should be willing to discuss WHY they believe what they believe. Otherwise why post it on a forum in the first place?
And while you're 'out there' don't forget that every person you help to a greater understanding of either Otherkin or themselves will then be in a better position to help someone else later.
Pay It Forward. That is the most important thing.

I hope this post was not so long that you were falling asleep while you were reading?

Thankyou for your patience with my ramblings.

Moon.

WOW I loved that very well written. This is also why I love this forum we vote on what happens it's beautiful really.

Wolfbrother

This is why i have a problem with other forums besides this one (i can't trust *some forums* any more sadly) the people are to quick to judge and annoy me to no end about my loyality to their forum just so bothersome i really wish more forums were like this one


Shadow Stalker





For the record this post was altered to remove the name of the forum. Wolfie is too nice to want to hurt anyone and I know that he is nice enough to understand that it had to be done.
I'm sorry love.

Camille. xx

This forum really is a diamond in the ruff, and it's really one of the most unique forums I have ever been on, and truly the best. The admin and mods here actually do listen to each and every one of us, and feel that our opinions count just as their own. I must say, this is the best forum i have ever been on in my life, and I must say, the only one I feel comfortable with really being on.

~DA~

It's great to see others who think in a similar way.
Makes me feel less like I'm the only one this happens to. lol

Just a thought Wolfie, but do you think you should have named the other forum? It might be taken the wrong way by some people.
I don't mean to rag on you, but I just thought I'd mention it. I hope you don't mind.

It's lovely to have your company guys, we can pay it forward together.

Blessings to you all.
Moon.

I concur. I have attempted to look at other forums, but they feel wrong. And if any of those famous people really were reincarnated I highly doubt they'd be broadcasting who they were, think of all the attention and annoyance from such attention! but very good post, i liked it.

I think it may be because this forum is so small. Like all the posting members know everyone else and we all to a degree know each other. As much as we can online anyway.

Wolfbrother

Small..... Hoo Ju Callin Small PeeWee?????
I Smasha Yor Face In.....

Awww I am just joking honestly.
I think in part you are right Wolfbrother, but I have a feeling that Lady C and Zygo and the team will do their best to make sure that things don't change too much when the forum grows as it is bound to do.
I do love this place, but most of us have been here a while now and as Wolfbrother says we know each other quite well, I think that will help though, as seeing how open and friendly we are with each other can only help new members feel safe to tell their stories.
I have been on other small forums and because of the attitude of the owners they felt no more welcoming than some of the faceless larger ones. It has as much to do with attitude as size I think, and if the attitude is wrong the smallness of size will not help it feel welcoming and cosy.
I think being asked to vote for moderators and forums and things makes you feel like your input is not only wanted, but welcome too.
And this might sound silly, but I love the way this place is set out and that everyone joins in to make this feel more like a real castle than just a forum. When a newbie joins they are treated like a guest and asked if their room is OK and everyone talks about seeing others in the dining room. LOL
It's wonderful.
Thanks to Lady C and Zygo and their wonderful team of mods for a great place to be.

I stand with you, ready and happy to pay it forward Moon. I have had, and I'm still getting, more than my fair share of help from the people here, so it will be nice to have a chance to pass it on.

Faith