Congrats, Lisa.
I've been around a lot longer than my current avatar notes, so can relate.
I always read your user name as "Lisa saves gas 420." Isn't that funny? :)
Phae
Phaedra
JoinedPosts by Phaedra
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Joined 11/29/2002
by lisavegas420 inyep, i joined 12 years ago today.
just thought i'd do a drive by and a shout out.
i'm still happy to be free.
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What do you have to be thankful for?
by NewYork44M ingiven the recent holiday, i can't help but reflect that this has been a very good year and my life is pretty damn good.
there was a lot of hard work, but i get a sense that i am finally reaping the benefits of years of effort.. what do you have to be thankful for and has 2014 been a good year?.
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Phaedra
Quite a bit, in fact.
When I'm depressed, it's hard to see.
But in a twist of attitude, I realize I'm here.
I can make an impact. I can learn. I can love.
And not spend one more wasted minute pursuing anything that goes against my better judgment.
Thanks for the reminder,
Phae
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Higher Education... Some ideas for those that think it is too late
by adjusted knowledge inso many witnesses lost the opportunity to pursue higher education in their youths.
perhaps it took decades for many here to leave and now feel it is too late.
degree you will also earn multiple certifications from other agencies:.
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Phaedra
adjusted knowledge,
Thanks for your post. I concur with everything you said.
I first started attending brick and mortar college classes in my late 20s, while still a JW, after much agonizing over the frowned-upon message/programming I received as a virtual born-in about higher education from the organization. Got an associates in 2002 in something I had much passion for.
Now, on the cusp of a career change, I'm pursuing a new BA degree through WGU, after much research, and my experience has been excellent thus far. Being a ft student and working ft is hard work, but I keep thinking about my chance to fulfill something important to me and close to my heart and stick it to everyone who figured we'd be petting pandas by now.
If anyone here is interested in applying to WGU, feel free to PM me for a personal referral to waive the application fee ($65). Since I'm a current student and have unlimited referral power, I'll be happy to help out anyone I can save a few bucks to see if the school might be right for you. You'll have to give me your e-mail so I can send the referral to you, and as always, you can count on my confidentiality.
Phae
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At This Point In Time Would You Ever Subject Yourself To A Judicial Committee?
by minimus ini certainly wouldn't.
and if the elders wanted to have a meeting with me, i would respectfully decline.
if the elders wanted to deal with you, would you talk with them?.
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Phaedra
no
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Happy Thanksgiving
by skeeter1 ini'd just like to tell everyone in the us (and world), "happy thanksgiving!".
in many ways, the posters here understand me better than anyone else on this planet.
you all have helped me tremendously.
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Phaedra
Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
I will make it a point to focus on those things I am thankful for today.
I'm so glad this forum is here to connect with kindreds!
Phae
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What Made You Finally Wake Up?
by Tenacious inhello to all.
i've been on this site for a couple of weeks now posting here and there but have not had the opportunity to read about many of the regular members and what led up to their leaving the wt.. i understand that some of you (i'm part of this club) may not be able to disclose many details and i can appreciate that.. i'd love to hear what was it that finally made you renounce what is and hopefully soon to be "was" the wt.. i truly look forward to having good discussions.. thank you to all for your kind participation.. .
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Phaedra
I'm pretty sure reading CoC did it for me. That was way before this forum came into being, and other JW discussions like H2O were too prickly for me to play in.
Getting the "other side" of the story from one of its own deeply enmeshed members changed the shape of my mind to where it could not go back to its original shape. When I closed the book after reading it the first time, my eyes were opened.
Phae
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Just when you think you're past it all...
by Phaedra inyou"re now the "unbelieving mate" who is now pursuing your degree just before your mid-life crisis hits because until you woke up to the tatt, you bought into the whole "you'll never grow older in this system of things...".
you're watching your parents grow old fully-invested.... your spouse still invested because "there is no better alternative....".
your in-laws still won't come over tomorrow (thanksgiviing day) to eat turkey because it might just look like.... just when you think you're past it all and you feel that little bit of jw that is still there at your core eventhough you think you're beyond jwism..... and you remember and empathize and love your loved ones just a little bit more... because as of yet, they cannot find it in them to distance themselves from somethign you found limiting, closing, dark, and oppressive.. may they all find their freedom one day.
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Phaedra
All, thanks for your comments.
cBg! Missed you, too.
End of the year holidays always get to me.
Estranged family, even more distanced for living their lives according to the mandates of a few men who get to decide what's important in this high-control relgion. Auxilary pioneering in their 70's, being used up by an organization who only gives back empty promises of living forever in paradise on earth.
Arg!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
Phae
P.S. Missfit, it was one of those run-on poetic things I had to let out (o lord, could I have used spelling check!) I don't write much anymore, but maybe I should take up journaling again!
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Just when you think you're past it all...
by Phaedra inyou"re now the "unbelieving mate" who is now pursuing your degree just before your mid-life crisis hits because until you woke up to the tatt, you bought into the whole "you'll never grow older in this system of things...".
you're watching your parents grow old fully-invested.... your spouse still invested because "there is no better alternative....".
your in-laws still won't come over tomorrow (thanksgiviing day) to eat turkey because it might just look like.... just when you think you're past it all and you feel that little bit of jw that is still there at your core eventhough you think you're beyond jwism..... and you remember and empathize and love your loved ones just a little bit more... because as of yet, they cannot find it in them to distance themselves from somethign you found limiting, closing, dark, and oppressive.. may they all find their freedom one day.
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Phaedra
I do love them, Wasanelder, and hope that someday they might be "free".
Thanks for your thoughts.
Phae
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Just when you think you're past it all...
by Phaedra inyou"re now the "unbelieving mate" who is now pursuing your degree just before your mid-life crisis hits because until you woke up to the tatt, you bought into the whole "you'll never grow older in this system of things...".
you're watching your parents grow old fully-invested.... your spouse still invested because "there is no better alternative....".
your in-laws still won't come over tomorrow (thanksgiviing day) to eat turkey because it might just look like.... just when you think you're past it all and you feel that little bit of jw that is still there at your core eventhough you think you're beyond jwism..... and you remember and empathize and love your loved ones just a little bit more... because as of yet, they cannot find it in them to distance themselves from somethign you found limiting, closing, dark, and oppressive.. may they all find their freedom one day.
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Phaedra
YOU"RE NOW the "unbelieving mate" who is now pursuing your degree just before your mid-life crisis hits because until you woke up to the TATT, you bought into the whole "You'll never grow older in this system of things..."
You're watching your parents grow old fully-invested...
Your spouse still invested because "there is no better alternative...."
Your in-laws still won't come over tomorrow (thanksgiviing day) to eat turkey because it might just look like...
Just when you think you're past it all and you feel that little bit of JW that is still there at your core eventhough you think you're beyond JWism....
And you remember and empathize and love your loved ones just a little bit more... because as of yet, they cannot find it in them to distance themselves from somethign you found limiting, closing, dark, and oppressive.
May they all find their freedom one day. Until then, by myself I hope. In isolation and lonliness, I hope that they willl someday find freedom, for as loneley as it is...
May they find freedom from the oppression of their authentic selves.
Thankful four...
Phae
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Your "Things That Make You Go Hmmm?" List
by FlyingHighNow ini'll wager that the number is close to 100 percent.
what number?
the number of jws who have lists--lists of things that make them go hmmm or even wha'???
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Phaedra
A few:
- Counting time for endless pointless, wasted hours knocking on doors with nothing to show but expended energy and resources "volunteered".
- Loving works such as attending to the needs of fellow JWs, shut-ins, visiting elderly, etc. didn't "count" for anything.
- Categorization of and behaviors around judging other's spirituality. "Weak", "Approved Associate", "Marked", "DF" (Shunned).
- Outward display (commenting, highlighting WT) more important than secret spirit of heart (loving, humble).
- "I have to get my time in." Why? For whom? God? Really? Or is it a group of men?
- The fostering of creativity and development of talents and personal interests frowned upon.
- The realization of the legalistic nature of the org over the secret person of the heart earnestly trying to love her neighbor, do unto to others, seek peace, and connect with "God".
- The phrase "frowned upon". Because the JWs do so much of that to guilt, shame, and show their disapproval at every attempt you have at experiencing normalcy in life. It's the social equivalent of "that's wrong, that's bad, and if you do it, you don't get our approval, you rebelous outcast."
Phae