Just offerring another perspective...
Often I click on "New Posts" to get a list of threads that have been posted to since the last time I was on the forum and then pick what I read from that list. The downfall, I've realized, is that I often don't notice what area the thread was posted in, such as "PTSD Success Stories". Had I paid attention to the fact that your post was in the success stories section I probably would have interpreted it differently. However, this wasn't the case.
I had not read Anthony's original post that you quoted so I did not know what that was about. To me, the first half of what you posted sounded like you were upset with someone on the forum and stepping in to defend Anthony.
I did want to say that I don't think Anthony needs to apologise for having other healthy interests as well as the forum. A balance between the two is good. Like Anthony says to others you need to have a life outside of the forum.
Yes, I read the rest of what you wrote but I guess my PTSD brain just glazed right over the positive. All I went away with was the impression that you were upset with someone for giving Anthony a hard time for not being around (I now realize that wasn't the case) and that it didn't involve me so I would just stay out of it. I wasn't at all offended, just trying to mind my own business. If other people read it the same way that I did, that might explain why there were so many views to the thread without much response.
...about how well Anthony was doing with having some projects which currently keep him occupied during the day versus spending hours and hours on the computer. He looks better (more fit and healthy) and is doing extraordinarily well on top of an excellent job with his projects. It is really nice to watch him have motivation to get out of bed and get going into the day ahead.
This post explained to me much better what it was you were trying to convey.
I must admit, however, that even if I had interpreted the original thread correctly I probably still wouldn't have responded. I don't accept compliments very well myself and while I am quite capable of giving compliments IRL, I still feel awkward doing it on the forum. I consider myself to still be a newbie on the forum. I feel very timid about giving a pat on the back to someone I don't know and with whom I haven't had any substantive exchange.
Honestly, I don't know much about Anthony. I know that he has combat related PTSD and that he started/maintains this wonderful forum. Since I am still new to the forum, I haven't observed him posting to very many threads or to be around a whole lot. (I'm not complaining, merely observing.) So I didn't realize that this was apart from the norm for him. I guess I didn't realize that his successes were so new.
But, since I've written so much already...Way to go Anthony!! :occasion: And, by the way, thanks for creating and maintaining this forum. I really appreciate everything you've put into it.
