One of my favorite quotes can be found in the picks on my Second Life profile.

You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying,
to run by running, to work by working;
in just the same way, you learn to love by loving.
                                             ~ Anatole France

This quote just purely makes sense to me. While I think that the quote really focuses on the last bit about love, it is true about everything.  We learn in many ways, but for most of us, we learn best by “doing”.  It makes me think about what I’ve learned during my years in Second Life.

I’ve learned how to ‘play’ in Adobe Photoshop.  I’ve learned to create graphics for large and small events.  I figured out how to find sources for graphics that could be purchased to utilize in these posters, invitations, logos, announcements, etc.  I have learned how to plop one of those designs onto clothing templates (mesh and system) but it isn’t always easy for me. I’ve learned that I can be over-committed to virtual events for good causes just like I over-commit in my first life with work.  I’ve learned to landscape and set up relaxing, beautiful, enticing natural spaces and I’ve truly learned to shop!  Definitely learned all those by doing them!

But I’ve learned other things too…I’ve learned that people find the virtual world an excellent place to hide, to show their fears, to overcompensate for their shortcomings, to be bullies, to be rude and show anger…all behind the cloak of the internet.  I’ve also learned that good friends can be made, that love can be found, and it can even transcend beyond the internet. Sadly, I’ve learned that hearts can break even more intensely than with a real world relationship.  I’ve learned to accept the departure and disappearance of friends and those close to me. And slowly, I’ve learned that real, caring, truthful friendships are very rare in all worlds.

What have you learned?

Credits:

The Scene:
Location:  Chateau Village – a ‘World of Darkness’ roleplay sim
(for more information on the sim and the roleplay, click here)

 I’m wearing:
Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4
Skin: -Glam Affair – Caroline Skin –  New Day  – America C
Freckles: IGOTIT – Ginger Freckles Face and Body (SaNaRae)
Eyes: {S0NG} :: Luna~ Envi Eyes
Lashes: ::BB:: Mesh Lashes V.01 (minimalist black)
Hair: Exile::Loose Ends (Collabor88)
Ears: [MANDALA] SIMPLE_EARS_HUTUU
Earrings: Cae :: Elusive :: Earring
Necklace: MINIMAL – Alianza Necklace LightGold (ShinyShabby)
Hands: Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands – Casual
Rings: MINIMAL – Amanecer Ring *7* Silver (Gacha Garden)
Rings: MINIMAL – Zima Ring *5* Gold (The Season’s Story)
Rings: MINIMAL – Zima Ring *6* Silver (The Season’s Story)
Rings: ieQED jessi.rings.silver
Outfit:  *agp* (Agapee) Amy outfit wool brown-Slink/TMP/Maitreya (Kustom9)
Feet: Maitreya Mesh Body – Feet V3.4
Shoes:  Ingenue :: Amelia Boots (Maitreya) :: Chestnut (past Collabor88)
Bag:  !gO! Mercy.Bag

Poses:
oOo Studios – Travelogue_four

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