by Newborn 21 Replies latest jw friends
...that if you had never been a JW you could have been in a totally different, hopefully better, place than where you are now? Both when it comes to proffession and family etc...
Sometimes I feel that I never explored any hobbies coz preaching was my hobby. I never had any children
I know it's not too late for babies or new hobbies but still sometimes that makes me sad.
Love
Newborn
I feel bitter because my wife is still in, and I fear that us as family will never experience the things that you are starting to explore now . On a personal level though I feel being a JW was an experience that made me more aware of things I would never considered otherwise. Yet the association did create some problems too, which I am trying to patch up right now - like lack of real friends, warped thinking, social problems. But this is how life is - giving some and taking something in exchange.
nah, i can plan for tomorrow but i cant change yesterday.
so what hobbies you got in mind?
Yes very often..though I'm a positive mind, EVERY DAY I feel that small drop of bitterness: for not having had a normal life, a normal teen-age life, never going out with friends for dancing or simply a concert for good music or singer, never spent a saturday or sunday morning in our bed, playing with our children (stolen by field service or Watchtower study), never free to read other than Watchtower stuff, enjoy a whole day without some WT activity, etc, .....it has been an invasion of our private life, a stealing of our time......bad boys there in Brooklyn...
Ya know, I've considered this over the years and can honestly say "no, I'm not bitter". If it weren't for the cult, my parents never would have met and I wouldn't be here. The same can be said for being raised in as well as all of my life experiences since. Not all have been good, not all have been something I'm proud of later, but all of them have made me who I am. I love who I am and therefore wouldn't change any of the things that brought me to this place. There are millions of things that would or could be different and each of those would have changed who I am rather dramatically over time. Even now every decision I make will have lifelong effects and I'm good with that, it is what it is.
Not so much, no.
I agree, in ways about still being bitter, but it is what it is. I have a son now (josh jr.) and I will raise him without the JW religion and see through him what my life could have been. I know its not the same and I don't want to live my life through his but it will give me a general idea of what could have been. He's two now and looking like things for him will be "Just fine"
I dont feel bitter when looking back on the scars, being bitter just makes those who did that to us change who we are, they arent worth it, I try to look ahead and stay focused. Its hard though because remaining a JW is a constant reminder, but im happy serving Jah.
Yes and no...i agree with bigwilly, in that all of our decisions (and even some not our own) bring us here, make us who we are. So although i resent a certain part of me that was raised as a witness...it wasn't all bad. And again, it all brought me here today.
Sometimes. If I didn't join the JWs and marry a JW I probably would have kids and grandkids by now. Instead I'm a divorced grouchy guy over 50 working like hell so I won't be destitute when I retire.
W
