Does showing our upset or anger regarding our life as Witnesses a good thing or a bad thing? Personally, I feel that everyone of us has to express whatever feelings for however long time it takes to heal. (I'm not talking about carrying the same anger or hurt for 25 years). Ignoring or making believe it doesn't exist is counter-productive.
Is It A Good Thing To Ignore Our JW Past??
by minimus 21 Replies latest jw friends
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Emma
Ignoring or making believe it doesn't exist is counter-productive.
I think you're right. Speaking personally, my emotions on this seem to ebb and flow. We can't bury our heads in the sand regarding our past, but dwelling on things is counter productive, too. I had a lot of anger for a while that I'd lost my youth to the pressures and teachings. Now, I'm resolved to use my life the best I can. I still get stuck in "shoulds" sometimes, but far less than I used to.
Emma
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justhuman
YES INDEED
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minimus
no it ain't a good thing.
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Stefanie
A part of me died when I became a JW, and I lost a portion of my life during that time. IMC I dont want to Ignore it, I would rather learn from it.
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Markfromcali
I would say that it is only by not ignoring it but really looking and seeing through it that we can move on and let it die, put it to rest as it were. Until you do that you are only spinning your wheels and struggling with yourself, and that is only a half conscious attempt to resolve it at best.
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ApagaLaLuz
Well, it depends on just how horrible your past may have been. You cant really have one blanket answer for every one person. For some their JW past was so horrible they may need professional help to deal with it and move on.
My JW past wasnt great, there are things in my childhood I wish I could change (but I think most people feel that way about their childhoods regardless of being raised a JW or not) I choose NOT to ignore mine because I learned so much from it, and it made me who I am today. I can deny it all I want, but it's not going to make it go away
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Markfromcali
Well, it depends on just how horrible your past may have been. You cant really have one blanket answer for every one person. For some their JW past was so horrible they may need professional help to deal with it and move on.
I agree Chevy, there's a time and place for everything. However, if they seek professional help that's still a matter of not ignoring it of course, dealing with it doesn't necessarily mean you face it by yourself.
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minimus
Some might seel professional help while getting help here, too.
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kls
I certainly cannot ignore it nor will i . It taught how vulnerable i can be to get trapped into a lie. It's like if you get scammed ,you learn not to get scammed again ,but the most important thing i have learned is how evil an organization is, the depth it will go to hurt and recruit and lie.The power it has over peoples lives is literally the matter of life or death ( according to the blood beliefs) I have been out 25yrs and still have the same hate i had when i first left, you can try to hide a scar but it will always be there.