I just want to take the time to acknowledge what a great arena this is for dicussions and expressing opinions and views. Since I joined hubpages, and got involved with the concept of it, I have really enjoyed all of it. I mean it! One of the biggest rewards I have is being able to do just that, express myself.

One of the toughest topics to deal with is "religion", the other being "politics", for most people. In most (face to face) environments we may NEVER venture there. I know I have found it hard in the past. It seems like such a confronting and (sometimes) scary, or intimidating thing to do. One reason (I feel) that may be the case, is most of us are either unsure of what we believe, or can't express what we want to say. Fear of ridicule, confrontation, lack of eloquence etc. keeps many silent.

 I love to discuss my beliefs, experiences, thoughts and feelings. It does something for you, and in you do that. Stand up and be counted! You have a say, and there are others who want (need) to hear it (you). You are as important, and valuable as anyone else. So am I. That's why I don't shy away from it.

It is hard at first! Really it is. The main reason is that you make yourself vulnerable. You open yourself (and your views) up to others scrutiny. You have absolutely NO control over what responses you get. Some of them are downright NASTY. The secret is to not take it to heart. Develop a "thick skin". I mean, what's the worst thing that could happen to you? It will be mere words on a page. If you post something that gets a response, and you never read it, yopu will never know, and that will be the end of it. But if you do, it's up to you HOW YOU respond to it.

One night I couldn't hardly sleep over some comments I got. I was "gunna say this and I was gunna say that....", and then the penny dropped. No-one will know whether they affected me or not! I was in control of "how" I wrote again. Ever since then, I am calculating my responses and replies. Some comments are easy for me to handle, some are not, but that's the beauty of what I am trying to convey here in this hub. You can carry on discussions with others of all sorts of differing opinions and convictions. It's great. You learn heaps about them, others and most importantly, yourself!

If you want to get an idea of what goes on, just skim over any topic you are passionate about (or just interested in), and don't submit anything (untill you are ready).

To all of you that have interacted with me, (or will in the future), I just want to say a special THANK YOU. I desire to be respectful, courteous and open with all of you. Especially those of you who challenge me. I love to dig deeper to find out what makes me tick, and how. We all have "hot buttons", and I am not exempt, but that is the beauty of this media, it can happen in a "safe" anvironment.

I truly appreciate you all and your views and comments. I know that in the "real world", IE, face to face, we may never have met, let alone discuss what we have (and do). Keep me on my toes! :)