Long time members, how do you cope with so much tragedy on this forum?

PEC

I have only been here for six months and I can see why so many people have to leave or at least take breaks from this forum.

What are you doing to cope? I want to stay, please help. PM me if needed.

Philip

PEC- I know, there does seem to be an awful amount of tragedy on this board at times. I think it's in part because so many people here have left family and friends behind when they stopped going to meetings, so this board is (temporarily) their only emotional support. Also, when something wonderful happens in our lives, we often don't share it with the board like we do with the terrible stuff, so it seems like some days there's nothing but bad news.

To answer your question, though....Fellow members of this board have helped me get through the worst events of my life, just by allowing me to vent and by giving me what advice they could. So, I feel good when I'm able to do the same for someone else. If, however, I'm just not able to handle it, because we all have our mental and emotional limits, I either hang out in a lighter section of the forum, such as "Jokes and Humor" or "Entertainment", or even take a few days/weeks/whatever break from this site altogether. Taking a break from time to time is a really healthy thing to do, no matter what.

sass_my_frass

I think it's because this is the place to vent. This isn't where we come when we're having fun, or enjoying ourselves. It's where we come to lick our wounds and find consolation. For a while, just learning that there are so many identical stories around the place is a good feeling, as there aren't many places in our lives that we can tell these stories.

Mrs Smith

Some stories on this forum pull at my heart strings for sure. Some days I just cannot cope with reading the more tragic post and steer clear of them. One the whole though I feel that we need each other and to just post a little message on someones tragic thread makes us feel like we are not alone. There is a lot of compasion and understanding on this forum and I try to focus on that rather than let the stories get me down. At least people posting here have left the WBTS behind. Most of us that have left or faded are having a lot of postive changes in our lives.

Gordy

Personally having gone through attempted suicide, depression, separation from JW wife and break up of family.

I found great support from this forum.

Many have been through similar things and even worse.

Its realising that you are not alone having suffered at the hands of the Watchtower.

A lot of tragedy.

But also a lot of joy and fun and laughs.

jgnat

I received what I needed from the board within the first few months. After that, the posts became rather repetitive.

I sat myself down and re-evaluated (I do that a lot). Was there any good reason to stay, if it were just to be entertained? That could never be enough, at least for me. Was there value in listening to the same advice over and over without taking action? (no). Could I help others? (YES!)

I've also established some long-standing friendships, an unexpected side-benefit to the 'net life. It's not often that the cyber world intersects with the real.

I firmly believe that if we treat the internet like television (entertain me!) we will ultimately be left empty and disappointed. My joy and energy comes from connecting with people, heart-to-heart. When that happens, it is a beautiful thing. That sort of connection is rare enough in real life, let alone the internet.

Yet, here we are. Newbies signing on all the time, asking the same questions and going through the same anguish of discovery as we did. Even so, every one of their stories is unique and engaging. It is their awakening, and my participation in it, that is a joy.

Probably also why I like gardening so much. Every spring, hope rises again.

jaguarbass

People come and go, you just step over the bodies and keep on trucking. That's life.

nvrgnbk

People come and go, you just step over the bodies and keep on trucking. That's life.

You're such a sentimental guy jaguar.

jwfacts

Whether you come to the board or not, once you have been here you can not forget that there are a huge number of Witnesses that are suffering and needing help to leave. I feel better doing my bit to help than to move on and ignore those that are suffering. Plus, I'm addicted.

mrsjones5

Tragedy is a part of life, no one is immune but when it happens hope to God you have the wherewithall to cope and that you have others around to support you and help you get through it.

Josie