I will continue to do what I do now. Be thankful for each day I have to grow and experience the best of life. Whether I'm around for 30 more years, 30 more days, or 30 more minutes, I will live being true to myself and helping others to realize the best in themselves.
alias
now that you don't practice the religion, is it safe to say that you reject everything that you were taught??
?
Now that you don't practice the religion, is it safe to say that you reject everything that you were taught???
Certainly not. Many things I've been taught have served me well. alias
i am healthier mentally - no more depression and i have the freedom to think and believe what is right for me and not dictated for me
i am healthier emotionally - i have the freedom to be happy or sad or angry or whatever it is i feel in the moment.
i no longer have to pretend to be happy to keep the congregation looking good.
Interesting question, Lee. I'm glad you feel much healthier in your life. It's great to review these things.
Since I've been away I've certainly grown a lot in different places of "me." Passing from my 20s into my 30s without the extreme JW perspective certainly changed the way I feel about life in general. I have more personal freedom to explore and experience things that I find joyful, and being true to myself has been the greatest gift. These things alone are wonderful and healthy.
I've less stress in my life as well; no one looking over my shoulder (peer pressure) to measure my level of spirituality or committment to the organization, no meetings or door-to-door ministry to run off to. No feeling of an obligation to preach my belief system onto others in the privacy of their own homes. Refocusing on my own spirituality without aligning myself with a group of others has been empowering.
Growing older in a system that I was uncertain of even existing in the year 2004 has forced me to seriously pay attention to my health and fitness levels. Thus, taking care of my body and nourishing it with wholesome (hey piph!) food has made me healthier too.
I do have some biological issues that require medication to balance out at times. Understanding that it has nothing to do with my spirituality (or lack of) has given me a healthy attitude towards accepting it and taking care of it to function at my best level.
I credit taking responsibility for myself as I grow older to being healthier, but having the time and energy in my life to pay attention to such things has undoubtedly been crucial. If I were still an active JW I have no idea how I'd be feeling right now, or if my viewpoint would have changed so much to allow myself to be more human.
I'm happy to be in the place I'm at now. More healthy, yes.
alias
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no exceptions......... " i wish i could come up with better starter questions than minimus......".
your go........ (one wish remember)
My wish: That people exercised the power to see, encourage, and appreciate the finest qualities/talents within eachother.
The potential people we could all become with supportive energy like that....
alias
is there a certain album that you own that just makes you feel a hell of a lot better?
for me, it's cinderella's "still climbing" album.
it's about life in general, about how it sucks, but you gotta make it work for yourself.
One or more of Kate Bush's CDs does it for me.
depression relief diet.
sue gilbert, m.s.. .
if it sometimes seems that food is the only thing that will make you feel better, it's not just in your head.
It is most unfortunate that some people refuse to take responsiblity for their own well being.Studies are now proving that people that take antidepressants have a higher rate of suicide.If you exercise and eat right you won't have a chemical imbalance.
And it is most unfortunate that some judge and unecessarily fault individuals for biological imperfections. How do you know that "people" aren't taking responsibility? Just because they have a differing viewpoint and know from their own experiences what works best? How sad.
Some interesting things I noticed about the iVilliage article was that in the opening paragraph it stated "If you're trying to beat the blues"... That alone indicates that it's not aimed at serious depressive disorders.
Notably, it also did not use end-all words like "cure" or "eliminate" like the title of your post. Instead the title was "Depression Relief" and the article correctly used ideas conveying "mood boosting", "even keel" and suggested a diet which included St. John's Wort tea, an herb that many use to "self-medicate."
Even funnier were the ads below the article promoting depression medications.
alias
now, i'm not referring to sesame street, mr. rogers, or any of the educational kids' shows.
i'm talking about the ones for pure entertainment, cartoons and such.
however, i can't really classify this as purely cartoons since some of you might have watched things like hr pufnstuf.. i grew up in the 1980s, when the magic of saturday morning cartoons existed.
The Puppy's Great Adventures
OMG, Nos! That picture you posted brought back some memories!
I was also an 80s Saturday morning cartoon addict. My faves included the Hanna Barbera Cartoons like the Flintstones and Wacky Racers. I also liked Captain Caveman, Scooby Doo, the Littles, New Shmoo, and the one ugly dog who had to wear a doghouse on his head. Remember that one?
I also lived for the 11:am weekend story special featuring kid-friendly stories based on books like the "Soup" series (Robert Newton Peck) and others. What a nerd I was (am).
I miss the good 'ol days! BTW, I grew up on Sesame Street and the Electric Company. Woohoo!
alias
depression relief diet.
sue gilbert, m.s.. .
if it sometimes seems that food is the only thing that will make you feel better, it's not just in your head.
Ruby,
Thanks for the information. Without a doubt diet plays an extremely important role for balancing our bodies. Unfortunately for some, diet alone deesn't override a chemical imbalance where medication might be necessary.
Definiately good reminders about proper nutrition, exercise, and rest.
alias
i'm a newbie, but have been reading this board for quite a while.
i have never been a jw nor anyone in my family, so i feel like i don't quite fit in with all of you, but hope you'll welcome me.
i have done extensive research and study of the watchtower teachings.
Welcome Nan! Did you know that your name is a palindrome? :)
alias
i've heard that there are people who thrive on being with people.
they gain energy from it.
then there are the loners who gain energy from being alone.
