HELLO TO ALL
Yes I'm new to this forum and I have been searching the net and reading with interest peoples comments here and on other sites. As most know reaching out as a Faithfull JW to others outside of the congregation is difficult at first ,as I guess we think anyone outside the congregation is wordly etc. and we can't open up easily to "strangers" as Jehovah would not approve. But I put it forward ,as I am personally discovering ,that the real issue of not opening up to "outsiders" is not really a problem with the society blocking us from doing so ,but it is WE OURSELVES in our minds that percieve that we can't reach out and talk normally about things with outsiders because we have been indoctrinated into seeing others as "lower" or dangerous to us and our spirituality. This born from the teachings and attitudes of the carefully scripted writings of the Society over a period of time .I feel I have been imprisoned by my mind and it has kept me from coming closer to others over the years as I have percieved alot of people with suspicion because of FEAR of the outside that was cultivated by Society teachings. I came from the world and yet my view became distorted . To illustrate ....my wife and I went on a short holiday recently after not going to meetings for a couple of months. Our view of the Society has been very slowly changing for some time and it was'nt until an experience on holiday shook me into facing the changing person inside me. We stopped at a petrol station and while my wife was at the counter I stayed by my car and engaged a motorcycle rider in conversation parked next to me and my wife observed this . When I farewelled the rider my wife was astounded and asked me to think about what I had just done..."You never would normally talk to someone, a stranger like that before?"
Now this might seem odd to some or even only a small thing but it did illustate to me how wrong I've been in the TRUTH in my relationship with others in the world . That is not to say I"m unable to deal with people as I have a business and deal with people all the time, but now I'm more relaxed around others without having to change the inner me in fear of them being "worldlings".I hope some one understands me,and I feel this is only one change that I will feel I guess now we are leaving the grips of the Society.
I have many questions for you all and I guess I will deal with my thoughts and relate my experiences in the org. in due course. I don't have any time for manic so called apostates that spit hatred over the org. but need to heal through reason and getting to know and trust others again I guess. Hope this is'nt too long.