Hello Joy, Joyce, and all ECOFEMers, Joy's last post illustrates the empowering possibilities of reflexivity, sharing, and positive communication. ("Wow!" is right on the mark!) Thank you for your insights, Joy! ECOFEM is much enriched by your presence and sharing. Thanks too to Joyce for her comments regarding ECOFEM -- and her added thanks for my participation. I volunteer my time to ECOFEM because I strongly believe people's experiences and viewpoints matter. AND...I do so because I believe we're still in the process of (re)defining how we as humans communicate in a participatory and EMpowering space, whether in virtual reality or elsewhere. Seeing ECOFEM as one place to develop our abilities and to learn from one another is why I initially became involved. Being part of that process is why I remain here. Learning is not solely done in the classroom. We learn all the time, and it's great to learn with all of you. While we may feel friction and tensions, we must also learn to live with some tension and discover ways of making it a more welcoming emotion, rather than an adversarial one. I think ECOFEMers do that, every day! Thanks to everyone for participating. I look forward to continued discussions - - hot, dynamic, and provocative! Peace, Stefanie S. Rixecker ECOFEM Co-ordinator