Why is it so difficult to get teams to commit to unity? Why is everyone wanting to be "The first", "the only" or "the final" in anything? With such a finite community, you would have thought there was more cohesion. But there isn't. You know the story of the "one bad apple"? It is true here too. All it takes is one bad experience for a team or one bad team in general, to negatively influence a community and then taint that community towards others.
There have been so many struggles by good teams, that struggle to engage with the community and promote unity. But because of that one negative experience, that bridge is burnt. I have had my experience people like that, teams, WHOLE TEAMS that did nothing but internally fight and disrespect each other. I have sat back and watch a team, that did everything they could to destroy mine, collapse into ruins. Why? Because of negative or narcissistic leadership.
No one on that team worked together. No one knew which direction to go and worst off, no one respected the leader.
You must give more than you receive. You must give more than you take. You must LOVE the field and the experiences. If you don't, it will show and those that followed a lie, will leave when they discover it was all a lie.
I absolutely love what I do. I am so eager to explore and share what I do with others. So much, that I invite other teams to go with us. I ask other teams to HOST events with us, I don't lie and use them for "ticket sales". When I do host events, I ask that EVERYONE in a team wear their team shirts to PROUDLY represent their team and their association.
I once was asked to help start and promote a "Para-Unity" group. That person used it for his OWN personal recognition and used it as a stage to promote his team ONLY! A true abuser of trust! Yea, I am still a bit salty over it all. Not just because he betrayed my trust, but he hurt a lot of other teams. HE twisted their trust and commitment to the community. Some out right quit investigating all together. I mean, who "INVITES" you to an event only if you buy tickets? Then turns around and ... never mind. It is all behind us now. But you get the picture.
I VOWED I would NEVER treat anyone like me, and my team was treated that day. I would set the standard for events. I would not only set the bar but RAISE it each time. I wanted the individual to know that this event was about them and the location. NOT ME or MY TEAM! We were just the guides and the attendants.
I absolutely LOVE this community. I love the people I have met and the locations I have been able to visit and re-visit over the years. Some of my FAVORITE people are related to ghost hunting! Debra and Lisa from the Haunted Old Lavaca County Jail in Hallettsville (shameless plug!! LUV YALL!!) are the reason people LOVE going there. They embody what TRUE unity is about. They LOVE everyone that comes through there and investigates. They make your stay so enjoyable. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!! It's not just words, it's true emotion!! They are family to me!!
It is people like Debra and Lisa that inspire the next generation and push us old farts to the next level. They keep us centered and focused; they keep us humble. They show the community wat TRUE para-unity is, wait... forget that phrase. I'm starting another one...#paraluv. Because that is what they bring to the table, nothing but love and respect.
I learned early on, that if you want to attract respect, you first must give respect. This community is built upon mutual respect and kindness. It will continue to grow if we work together to ensure this community is here for the next several generations. As technology becomes more advanced, I am almost sure, there will be break throughs in the field of paranormal studies. Be it in the area of equipment or in the area of evidence captured, there will be breaks throughs! I just hope I am still around to see them! lol
What I would like for you to take from this little rant is this: love each other. Respect each other. Give more than you receive. If we all do this, OUR community will be a better place, bridges will be built, and friendships would have been established. So go out there, reach out to other teams, say hello, give more to a paranormal Facebook group that you take (don't just post your team stuff). Engage with your neighbors. But most importantly, have fun!
