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Be Mindful of Other People’s Joy
Your paths will inevitably cross other people’s paths.
What makes you happy and brings you joy is not the same for everyone else.
For over 28 years now I have been participating in an interactive medieval reenactment society. Through this organization, I have made amazing friends, met people from around the world, and developed some really cool and fun hobbies.
Over the last few years, there have been some really positive changes to the organization. Efforts to increase inclusivity and better police harassment and bullying have been occurring, for example.
However, people have also been arguing more vehemently when their paths cross in very different ways. For example, some demand more historical accuracy and less anachronism. Others demand more paths of recognition in the awards system. Some just play the game and want to have fun doing it.
Rather than just go with the variations in theme, people get into heated debates, blast at one another, and fight — usually online — about who’s way is right and who’s is wrong.
The most important takeaway I get from this is to be mindful of other people’s joy. Most importantly, don’t stomp on it if it differs from your own.
