Coffee
A Small Gift To You. (I hope...)
by AllTimeJeff 31 Replies latest jw friends
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steve2
AllTimeJeff you sound like a great guy - someone I'd be happy to meet wherever and whenever. Flexibility for change is the key to growing and learning when faced with adversity. To be able tov look back and say, "I was once over there but I am now here and it's been an unexpected and amazing journey" reflects emerging maturity and belief in one's abilities. The biggest "gift" so to speak that the witnesses gave me was tossing me out of the infernal play school.
Tossed into the darkness, i could easily have sunk...but I swam. I wouldn't wish the trauma of leaving the witnesses on anyone, but it's surprisingly survivable, one day at a time. In time, we learn to run, we reduce the amount of time we spend licking our wounds and we come to accept that there has been a parting of the ways. I once was a JW in a JW-infested extended family. I am now grown up and, in my more honest moments, I can still wonder how I got my life back after the JWs tried so hard to convince me I was a loser without hope.
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clarity
You are right Jeff ... thank you for the large gift.
Each one of us is more than meets the eye ... or ear!
Not only do people 'pigeon hole' us ... we do it to ourselves. We rarely think big enough.
We must reach for the Moon. But if that is beyond our reach, then at least, we will capture the stars!
A very merry xmas to you and all reading this. Best of times to come in the New Year!
clarity
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garyneal
Great post Jeff.
Happy Holidays
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OnTheWayOut
I accept your gift. I am trying to watch what I eat and do more for myself. Thanks.
Merry Christmas, Happy Kwaanza or Hanuka or Festive Festivus. Happy New Year, whichever it is.
May Smurfs cross your path as you toast to your birthday right after voting. -
sizemik
Thanks for that ATJ . . . and best wishes to you too.
Remember, it’s not about what you are capable of, it’s what you’re willing to do that matters.
Your post reminded me of a great quote C/- our mutual friend compound complex . . .
By way of a thank you note . . .
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes
- C R Swindoll
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SixofNine
It is edifying to see you taking the lead in such a fine manner, Jeff.
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mamalove
Very true! You strike balance! Have a great Christmas too! If you ever come to the metro-D side of the state, please let me know!
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willyloman
Merry Christmas to you, too, Jeff. It has been an amazing journey and, like you, I wouldn't trade it for anything. We gained our freedom and no longer live in judgment of others. To be liberated by the courage of one's own convictions is real freedom and satisfies the soul. Peace to you in the New Year and all the new years to come.