[![envision14-803.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmX33KRjEwVBUP9UoXUSrbGa2YBwiXDQQ76kZkMQrM11pn/envision14-803.jpg)]( https://zippylomax.com )
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In a recent post, [I explained how I found my way into photography, what draws my attention and why.]

When I began drafting that post, I'd intended to announce a new initiative. As a preface, I wanted to introduce the concept of using my photographic skills to highlight beauty and touch on why I feel it's important. Somehow, having delved so far into that, it felt out of place to then outline details of a Steemit-specific project. 

Here, then – to complete that thread – is a brief addendum.

[I explained how I found my way into photography, what draws my attention and why.]: https://steemit.com/philosophy/@zipporah/the-beautiful-choice
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<h4> Beautification </h4>

The first time my partner showed me this platform, I was immediately struck by how...*drab* it was – devoid of visual stimuli – lacking *creative* intention. Rather than be put off by my first impression – which was something close to how I've responded to the text-heavy slog that is Reddit – I decided to explore a bit.

Naturally, one of my first stops was the 'photography' tag. *We all know what a terrible disappointment that was.* I was pretty shocked to see truly unimpressive content earning absurdly high rewards. Of course, knowing nothing of bid bots and reward pool abuse and *allll* the unsavory stuff, I thought – *'I can do better than that.'*

I arrived with that intention, motivated to **beautify** this platform – to drop intriguing photos wherever possible – to bring the same level of intention to commenting as I afford my primary posts – to pour the entirety of myself into each song I share – to sincerely *show up* to the best of my ability. 

I likely would've been content to continue in that vein, avoiding *politics* altogether, had I not chosen to [speak up about sir Grumpy Kitten.]

[speak up about sir Grumpy Kitten.]: https://steemit.com/steemit/@zipporah/steemit-we-need-to-talk 
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[![CallofTurtle-265.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQifLvyWkXUcpqi8ZtjPpBZV5hRCNHyzYqgR5Xnk3kGn8/CallofTurtle-265.jpg)]( https://zippylomax.com )
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<h4> <i> Sometimes Our Roles Choose Us </i> </h4>

The fallout from that post led me in directions I could not have predicted. Though I initially perceived those shifts as being unrelated to my initial intentions for how I'd engage with this space, I've come to understand that *it's all related.* 

The *in-between* place in which I found myself during the week following that post afforded me a rather unique perspective. [As described in a follow-up piece], I saw a lot of unproductive bickering, and found myself wanting to step in – to *somehow* help facilitate resolution between opposing *sides.*

I saw a glaring need, and though I felt uncertain as to my ability to effect real change, I launched a diplomatic initiative –  the Steemit entity, @theziplomat, and its related Discord, [The Kindness Collective] – a dedicated space for conflict resolution, mediation and emotional support. *([@Sykochica and I recently had a chat], on record, about what that looks like.)* 

> <i> 'In an ideological age, diplomacy may seem weak and prosaic. But sometimes it is all we have.' </i> – Noah Feldman
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<h4> Allies vs Adversaries </h4> 

I now realize this initiative is an attempt to *beautify* the ways in which we communicate – to encourage more productive, gracious means of engaging one another, *as well as how we relate to ourselves.* 

I may still be a newbie, but *I already care about the health of this place.* Even if only by degrees – this initiative aims to bring a bit of balance to the overall conversation, lest we slowly erode our foundation, one petty argument at a time. 

***I know this won't be easy.*** On the contrary, I can tell already — it’s a rather thankless job. Regardless, **I won't shy away from it.** 

Why? Because I imagine how this space reads to those who haven't yet joined – folks like myself who're watching from the sidelines, wondering wether or not they should dive in. If what they see is the ugliness – the childish, retaliatory flag wars – the harsh, unfriendly exchanges between people – *how likely are they to want to join?* 
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[![bm14-1522.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdfCifjuQ2skDQQcrysrjCkVoYyZfoSD44fi2AgQBegSU/bm14-1522.jpg)]( https://zippylomax.com )
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<h4> The Kindness Collective </h4>

I may have initiated it, yet *this project is not* **mine**, nor is it about any one person.

I hope the community will come to embrace it as belonging to *all of us* – that others will eventually step forward to offer mediation and emotional support – that we begin to catch ourselves before lashing out, choosing to work through rather than escalate our grievances – that, in ways big and small, we learn to be a bit more compassionate with ourselves and one another. 

*An excerpt from the The Kindness Collective manifesto:* 

[![manifesto-shrt.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmap5dqVgV5qik16bhfjvUbEuVThBqZ4hyXFohPCqGFSEr/manifesto-shrt.jpg)]( https://discord.gg/KakMD6G )

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[![envision14-313.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmS2N8btnBVA3WMBVbiL7dk3c9ewjXJKKWQwRMbrJYTrUt/envision14-313.jpg)]( https://zippylomax.com )

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> <i> “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall take flack from both sides."- Unofficial UN Motto” </i> ― Robert Lynn Asprin, Sweet Myth-Tery of Life 

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<center> <sup> <i> Heartfelt gratitude to those who've already joined the effort: </i> </sup> </center>

<center> <sup> <i> • @aggroed • @yabapmatt • @teamsteem • @ausbitbank • @crimsonclad • @stellabelle • @shadowspub • @sykochica • @topkpop • @meno • @ankapolo • @pechichemena • @katrina-ariel • @krystle • @thekittygirl • @beanz • @verbal-d • @rhondak • @techslut • @appiepearl • @ellievallie • @intuitivejakob • @meanmommy33 • @amymya • @llfarms • @tinypaleokitchen • @ancapbarbie • @teutonium • @sapphic • @stace • @tiltedreplica • </i> </sup> </center>
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<center> <sup> <i> To request support, simply tag @theziplomat or visit the [The Kindness Collective] and leave a message in the #support-requests channel. </i> </sup> </center>

[As described in a follow-up piece]: https://steemit.com/steemit/@zipporah/a-touch-of-diplomacy
[The Kindness Collective]: https://discord.gg/KakMD6G
[@Sykochica and I recently had a chat]: https://steemit.com/dsound/@sykochica/20180303t003657646z-what-is-the-ziplomat-project-lets-find-out-with-zipporah
[The Kindness Collective]: https://discord.gg/KakMD6G