Three years ago this month, I left the JWs...

by logansrun 22 Replies latest jw friends

  • outnfree
    outnfree

    Congratulations, Brad!

    Life is a process of ever-shifting parameters, hopefully with love given and received along the way.

    outnfree

  • Doubtfully Yours
    Doubtfully Yours

    Very insightful.

    Be well while continuing your journey.

    DY

  • Netty
    Netty
    I have come to the understanding that leaving the Witnesses is a process, a developmental process of growth

    I think you are right on there Bradley. I used to remind myself of that, and still do, it makes it all easier to handle. Congratulations on your anniversary!

  • logansrun
    logansrun

    Thanks for all the nice replies. I was feeling a little bit down this morning, to be honest. Perhaps it's the gloomy weather Chicago has had the past few days, but hearing from some of you folks who have "been there" is really meaningful. I just hope I can continue to grow. I hope we all can grow.

    B.

  • Narkissos
    Narkissos

    Thanks for this beautiful post Bradley,

    Your path is not an easy one but being who you are you have no choice.

    Take care,

    Didier

  • Evesapple
    Evesapple

    Congratulations! This July will be my anniversary...10 years! A Decade! I remember that 1st year being the hardest too, starting all over again, making friends, and questioning everything, I had a hard time trusting people...kinda wierd. I did a lot of reading as well, I've always been very introspective, however, I've learned to let go, and really lighten up a lot, laugh more, enjoy life more. It's been a great journey for me.

    I have a quote from one of my books that I carry with me always. 'The true self is always in motion like music, a river of life, changing, moving, failing, suffering, learning, shining.....you must freely and recklessly make new mistakes....for what is true to you today may not be true at all tomorrow, because you see a better truth' ~Brenda Ueland (If You Want To Write. A book about Art, Independence, and Spirit).

    Good luck!

    P.S. You should really consider coming down to the city tomorrow for my charity pub crawl :)

    Take Care. Eva

    Eva

  • Sunnygal41
    Sunnygal41

    As always, Brad, you impress the **** out of me.

    BTW, have you ever given thought to becoming a writer?

    Terri

  • gold_morning
    gold_morning

    Logan,

    I read your post with depth. I saw myself inbetween the lines. I have been out since the early 80's and the course you discribed took me 16 years. I look back now and life was just a swirl of color. Nothing defining.... nothing with substance. I can't explain it. Perhaps the word purpose would be better.

    It took me 16 years to realize what was missing was God. NOT RELIGION...but God.

    So.... I began to investigate that. At least with as free a mind as I could. I couldn't believe how different the bible was from what I had been taught my whole life. The search took me over 3 years. Now I have come to know God as a friend. No rules.. no works earning salvation. It changed my life. It gave me the substance and purpose I was lacking. Mostly... I now had the REAL TRUTH. They were the ones loading heavy burdens on our backs... not God. It was such a huge relief to see the whole hurtful mess was all about the organization..... not God. I could now put the blame where it belonged.....on a controling cult.

    Well.. thanks for your post,

    Gold

  • cruzanheart
    cruzanheart

    Congratulations, Brad! Me too: in May of 2002 I walked out of the Kingdom Hall for the last time. It's been a wonderful journey so far!

    Nina

  • frankiespeakin
    frankiespeakin

    Logan,

    Great post. I left in Feb. 2001, and have been in a state of flux ever since. I'm thinking this flux state ain't bad,, it may even keep you young,, it is much better than the alreadly "know it all" state where your thinking stays in the same old rut and becomes duller and duller.

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