So...

I can only speak for myself when I say why I do this. I love to give an open ear to people who have no one else they feel comfortable talking with. Being anonymousonline makes it so much easier to voice your problems and opinions. I am open minded and never judge someone who is going through something, and I try to make them feel better to the best of my ability. I am not paid for this, I do not get any tangible reward. The only reward I get from this is being able to help someone by spreading positivity.People leave comments and rating because they want to, and most of the time, they do not leave anything. I don't ask for it. I would hope that you could give this site a chance, being that you might find something it that rewards you. :)

Well, I don't have a mentor or that many badges or any other position. I came here for one reason that is to listen and comfort in the best way I can. I don't get paid and I don't impose on anyone. I find the greatest satisfaction is the person I am helping says thank you, you made happy or I feel better. They were heard when no one wants to or they were judged, here they don't have to feel that way. You can also see that I didn't put a picture of myself, it's not about me here. I can't help it if I can relate to them which I do so the reviews speak for themselves. You can't be a fake. People will know it.

I think themajority of listeners are here to help people. We came here to listen, and the added badges and all that are a perk. It doesn't really dimish our intentions to be here though.The badges, mentor, etc. are all here as positive reinforcement rather than ego-boosters. It's good tokeep morale up by rewarding greatachievements otherwise it's incredibly easy to become burnt out!

May I also add on to what Kane just posted. :)

Some of us do not need to spend their time here listening to other people. Some of us do it as their day job, who also get paid for it. Yet, for some reason, we keep it 'for free' here.

Badges do hold for positive reinforcements. But who wants to really help others, I can guarantee, that they are not doing it for badges.

Most of us listeners, that there is something in it for us also, when we open our hearts and ears to listen to others. It's a somewhat healing process for both the chatter and the listener. Some of us have understood at a deeper level, that we are in a way connected, and helping others would be in fact also helping ourselves. So in this manner, your cynicism might hold true. But it is not in a 'corrupt' way - to feed our egos.

As you see, we too use names which are unidentifiable to the outside world. :) and That's exactly the way I would want to keep it. I'm only doing this 'for myself' and 'for the chatter'. :)

Trust, :) and give the process a chance. :)

EndlessRain, I was actually wondering what the reason was for you to put this in the depression forum. If there is something you are struggling with, you are more than welcome to find one of our listeners and talk about it.

I'm actually touched by you taking the effort to post this, because it also means you care for us. Thank you.

Do I do it to boost my ego, no I don't think I do, I listen because I have been in a very difficult and lonely place myself and I know how desperate I felt at that time. Luckily for me there was someone who listened, someone who cared!

As I started feeling better I often thought of that person that helped me but I had no way to thank them for it, I came across this site and realised that I could be thankful in repaying that back in kind and listening to someone else.

Do I worry about my stars yes I do, I would feel that if my star rating wasnt good I wasnt doing what I came here for which is listening to people and showing them kindness.

Do I worry about badges no not really , however they make me smile when I get them because it is an achievment that I am proud of not something that I expect.

I think it is safe to say we are not forced to come and listen here we all do it because we want to, we all want to help others, is that an ego boost, I dont think so I think it is just kindness and dedication

Hey Endless rain , I've read a couple of your posts now and it seems you are not entirely supportive of being a listener and what we all do.Of course there is nothing wrong with this and it can be good to show where the system is lacking , but as you are not offering alternatives but are essentially devaluing a lot of the time we spend here , I fail to see your points.