My thoughts on our community

[FrostBeard 2,061]

Well then..... I wanted to finally come and talk a bit about our community, its impact on my life.

Firstly, I have to say that joining VHL has probably been the best decision I have made in the past 5 years and that includes decisions like - buying a new honey extractor, learning how to build beehives, joining National Guard, finishing Master's studies. So, yeah, VHL for me holds an important place in my life and in my everyday moves. For me, it has moved in as more or less a place to talk with cool people and enjoy my time rather than a full blown hockey sim experience. 
Secondly, VHL has been a rough ride and I am not going to lie - there have been times when I have wanted to quit. Not that league had anything to do with but last year has been less than favourable and for me, it meant losing all motivation for anything I enjoy. I enjoyed my time as VSN lead, had to quit because I felt that I am gonna drag it down because of my lost passion, was thinking about quitting  GMing as I felt like I am not gonna be here enough and not gonna be there for my players enough for them to want to return to Malmo. It was a tough road. 

Right now I am feeling better and I can finally appreciate what our community is about, it helps to lose your mind among mindless conversations, it helps with necessity to chat about issues you don't feel like talking about. Still have not made that move myself but I guess it will happen once. I just know that when I will be ready there will be people here that will listen and chat and be nice and wholesome. I could do that with any one of my 2 friends in Real life but sadly I feel less than comfortable doing that. I think that our community has grown so much in this past year that I can honestly say that I am not only impressed, I am thankful for the path we have taken together to make everyone feel involved and needed. From strides to eliminate bigotry (Even though I might not agree with some approaches, I respect them), to make our forums and our league feel like a home to people who might be oppressed somewhere out there. 

I guess what I am trying to get at is that for me, VHL is a place where everyone can find their place no matter who they are. Community provides so much help and support that even though you might be beaten down in everyday life, you can come here and enjoy a little bit of peace. 

Unsure if there is much more to say than to wish everyone who I have talked to and who I hope to talk to (That includes everyone) truly wonderful Christmas, no matter if you like this term or not, no matter what kind of holidays you celebrate - I wish you all the best and I hope that our community will grow and be accepting of everyone and every opinion no matter what! 

Now I guess is the time for me to crack open that cognac bottle I have saved for 2 years. Cheers!

[FrostBeard 2,061]

Claiming Christmas TPE  

[Banackock 8,160]

Hi Frosty