Truc - I get a bit overwhelmed by forums too. So far I've only lurked but not posted, but I might make it a new goal for 2011!
Alicia -- Beba Photography - When I worked at Disneyland years ago they taught me one of the best lessons: You can't help everyone. But for those that you can help, they'll be eternally grateful.
They told us a story of a man walking along the seashore, picking up starfish and throwing them back into the ocean. The beach was covered with hundreds of them because the tide had come in and washed them up on shore.
His friend came jogging up alongside him and asked, "What are you doing?"
The man threw another starfish back into the sea and said, "I'm rescuing these starfish. If I don't, they'll lay here on this beach and die."
His friend gave a puzzled look and said, "But there's no way you can rescue them all--there are hundreds, maybe even thousands of them! It's impossible!"
His friend threw yet another starfish back into the ocean, never wavering.
"Yes, that's true. I can't rescue them all."
(as he throws another starfish into the water)
"But to that one, it matters."
You can help, but you're just one person. I've been totally guilty in the past of asking crazy amounts of questions until someone pointed it out to me and I stopped myself. You have to put a limit somewhere.
Find those "starfish" around you that you can help and then trust that someone else will have a helping heart like you do and will pick them up and direct them where they need to go. : )
Try not to let it limit you, but don't let it overwhelm you either if you can't help everyone. It's oookkkayyy. : )
Heather - I have been avoiding forums for the time reason too - I'm sure I could get caught up in wanting to read what some people have to say. That said, I just signed in with OSP, now, to go in only when time allows - hmmm, we'll see how that goes, thanks for the push :D
ajira - That's really awesome. I found you through the Pictage forum but no longer a client of theirs so not sure that I have access. :(
I've tried for over a year to join OSP but no luck yet. No-one over there has responded to my pleas for help in joining either, either. Double :( :(
Heather Corporan - I think this is great Melissa. I Just joined OSP a couple weeks ago - and I too feel completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of posts/responses etc. But I noticed you on there and thought, how cool that she still finds time to give back : ) Keep up the great work MJ!
Jessica - Melissa, I've seen your comments on OSP recently. It's nice to have a "positive" answer to questions. i joined that forum a while back and posted a few things here and there but was basically scared off by the "veterans" who treated me like an obnoxious "newbie" which I'm not. I don't post anymore, just lurk around. it's a shame that something so positive can be so intimidating. Your posts help though.
Lori - I have a hard time with forums and conflicting information. I also find a lot of negative people. Do you run into that too much?
Suwanee - I'm in the same boat, I've been missing from all forums now for at least 2 years. And I was just thinking about joining again this morning and here you are with this post-perfect timing!
Charrie - I've been a member of a photography forum for a few years and have gotten burned so badly by harsh comments from the pros that I now very rarely say anything. It's also caused me not to want to join any others. I find alot of my info from blogs like yours. Thanks for your willingness to share.
Julie Branyan - oh my goodness, I feel the same way. I've been a member of OSP for almost two years and just started commenting. I realize how important it is to be part of the photography community, but it's seriously overwhelming! Due to my goal list too, I started commenting on photography forums. Glad to hear I'm not alone!