Do You See In Yourself Continuing Jehovah's Witness Traits?

by minimus 33 Replies latest jw friends

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  undercover

  I guess it depends on the traits. Traits like honesty, being of good moral charachter, etc has not left. Not that those traits are exclusive to JWs.

  But other little things are still with me that are pretty much exclusive to JWs. I haven't been able to say "Happy birthday" yet. I know that the JWs can't prove their anti-birthday policy biblically, but for my whole life I have never been able to say it or wish it or believe it. Now that I can, I still find myself hesitant to do it. I tend to shy away from political discussions, just as I did when I was an active JW. I have opinions now that I didn't have before, but I keep them to myself for the most part. So some things are still with me. I'm sure time will help fade these traits from my conscienceness.
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  minimus

  Undercover, I work on this consciously every day. I make myself say "Bless you" when someone sneezes. I am the first to propose a toast. I have this year bought birthday presents for family and friends.....That's the only sucky thing, having to buy presents.
• 

  unique1

  I don't have the judgemental qualities anymore but I do find myself rattling crap off. Somebody will say something and I will just spit out what I was always taught to say. It is just so programmed, I forget to think for myself. Although, it is a habit that comes in handy when talking to those still in the Truth.
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  minimus

  Being programmed is what all JW's have been. Anyone that is presently a Witness and reads this should know that the programming lasts for years.
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  Piph

  I haven't been able to say "Happy birthday" yet.

  Funny you should mention that...I had occasion to say 'Happy Birthday' for my first time today, and I couldn't do it. I just stood there with my mouth open trying to force the words out. LOL Next time though, I promise myself that I will.

  Next month I will get to celebrate my first birthday. I've been singing "Happy Birthday to meeeeeee" a lot lately...

  I tend to shy away from political discussions

  Because of JWs I have hated politics, and now I know absolutely nothing about them...I ignored Government classes in school because I figured they were all going to be destroyed in a few years anyway... Now I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do.

  I've only been free for a month and a half, so I have a lot of experiences ahead of me. I have already been working on dissolving the critical, judgmental attitude I used to have and it's been pretty much gone for the past few years.

  But I have a feeling that whenever I hesitate of feel afraid of doing something new because of my JW upbringing I will drive myself crazy. I hate carrying around other people's (and other organization's!) fear. I will fight it for as long as it takes.
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  Nosferatu

  Yeah, the whole birthday thing was difficult. But getting used to any holiday after leaving the borg is difficult. I never realized how many holidays there were until I found myself spending money on every one of them (with my ex). I had the taste of celebrating mothers day, fathers day, easter, valentines, christmas, remembrance day, etc. I still don't think I've worn a poppy since I've left the borg.

  Heh, that reminds me of how I used to think soldiers were bad people. I guess I'm still trying to get used to holidays.
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  OrbitingTheSun

  I was only a JW for a brief period of time, so having ended all of my interaction with JWs and JW ideology I can confidently say all of my JW traits have discontinued.
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  DanTheMan

  **still waiting for the world to erupt into violence and anarchy**

  **still thinking that mortality and uncertainty are the cruelest cruelties**
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  talesin

  It took me a long time to stop being judgmental and hypercritical of others, but think i've pretty much got rid of that. It still rears its ugly head once in a while, though, and I have to stop and have a chat with myself at those times.

  Being a 'good girl' and seeking approval - that's been a big one. We all know that 'he' even knows when we commit sin, even in our thoughts. It has been difficult to erase feelings of guilt and shame for doing things that regular (ie, 'worldly') folks wouldn't think twice about, even though I've been one for many years now. When will it end?

  Hmmmm ... I guess they're both the same thing, just one is outer-directed and the other inner.

  i LOVE BIRTHDAYS, XMAS is GRRRRREAT! Took me a while (abt 5 years) to do either, but I'd never give em up now!
• 

  pamkw

  I still have problems with guilt. I have been studying up on the origin of man, and stuff like that. When I first went to the library and checked out some books about early man, I felt so guilty. I don't trust people, I wonder what they really want from me, and it is hard to make friends. That whole being afraid to feel thing is big too.

  On a good side, I love being able to question everything and learn whatever I want to.