take this test...what is your true talent?.
http://64.4.18.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=en&lah=4fc5b5279291b13ceb8e96988627c431&lat=1029459166&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2eemode%2ecom%2feredir%3fm%3d159813129%26u%3d52749.
your true talent is abstract reasoning .
Mine was spacial ability as well, and I'm kinda surprised! I guess we don't always know ourselves
as well as we THINK we do... I like these tests because I still haven't figured out what I want to do
for a living yet--and I'm 34. I'd like to go to school for some training, but don't know where to begin!
I guess I just need to start taking classes I like and go from there.
Thanks for posting this--I always appreciate checking them out.
Becky
i had the pleasure of adding jesika to my list last night and after the haze of the sake bombs parted, i had good thoughts of all the apostates/people from this board i have met.
if i left some of you off, feel free to rebuke me at any time and please remind me if we have met and i just couldn't remember.....i'm wondering if we have six degrees of bad association...if any of you lovely folks have met any of the folks on my list then lets play a game and see how many names we can come up with and add your own list too.
megadude, elsewhere, gopher, lauralisa/evan , comf, billygoat, mozzerforlife, xena, tyydyy, sixofnine, gilwarrior, roo, rekless, desertflower, peaceloveharmony, joannadandy, eyegirl, scoortergirl, dirtyoldbiker, staceman & diane?, cara from minn, not interested, dave from minn, jim & sue from minn...and i hope many more very soon!.
I have met Zev, Somebody, Red Horsewoman, coffee_black, ChuckD, JJRizo, DocBob, Intuit39,
Bob's Girl, Alluminutty, mpatrick and a few more I can't remember right now. When I lived in Cincinnati
we had several apostafests that were a lot of fun. I also helped organize one in Providence where I live now,
and hope to have another one soon. I'd love to be a part of an international one someday!
Becky
i am just wondering, because i think for me it did.
i am a woman with grown children,.
so i am coming to these things from a different stage in life than many do, but since.
Truman,
AMEN!!! I'm 34, and tried it sporadically a couple of years ago. I enjoyed it, because of the freeing sensation it gave me. About a year and a half ago I met my boyfriend Jonathan, and have since learned how it helps me spiritually. Upon leaving the jw's, I felt pretty bereft emotionally and spiritually. Mj has helped me tremendously on my quest--it helps me to let go of the fetters that have been placed on my mind. The incredible experience of being able to THINK--about anything at any level is simply amazing to me.
Thanks for reminding us of Tool--we listened to some after reading your post. Have you ever heard of Widespread Panic? Their music is kind of like swampy jams, with a large variety of percussion, a didgeridoo thrown in occasionally in their live shows, etc. I went to their concert last year and danced my a** off! I felt my first real connection to the music, the people, the entire energy of the place. It was definitely a life changing event.
Saint Satan,
I too have finally figured out how to use the feeling to do different things--but it took me awhile. Being able to have an intense conversation with someone, listening to great music, enjoying nature, reading--anything to expand my mind. And I appreciated your comments about the gov't--we sure can't have a nation of peaceful people now can we! Duh!
Teejay,
You don't know what you're missing--especially if you're already a lover of music. Maybe we need to throw a different kind of apostate party soon.....we'll host!
Farkel,
I always knew the demons somehow had it better!
Becky
even posting not so often, but with pleasure and feed-back as well, i do wonder why former-jw and i as well with my own subjects - have this "need" to gather and to discuss subjects related to wt.
some seams to use close to hours each days in front of the computer.
i don't see many other web pages of former-catholics or former members of other religions (not of my knowledge - i can be wrong).
Hi Beroea,
We have this "need" to discuss it because it's the only real way to heal. These types of forums are very beneficial because they provide the outlet needed to vent, discuss, argue, complain etc. We were never able to truly think for ourselves before, and finding a place with people who've been thru the same crap helps us to move forward. Being able to discuss real life issues without fear of disfellowshipping is a breath of fresh air--and some of us take it in huge gulps!
Sometimes I feel like I'm on here way too much, but for whatever reason I need that at this time in my life. I don't know that I will always be around, but I do know that I've grown in leaps and bounds since coming a couple of months ago. I just received an email the other day from someone who enjoyed a post of mine--and that made every minute I've spent on here worthwhile.
I am eternally grateful for the amount of research that has already been done by so many posters, and their generosity in sharing the findings with us here. While most of us probably won't be here "for good", boards like this will always need to be around as long as there are groups who manipulate people by their tactics--with the result that many die and are abused in many ways.
Becky
i love water, the healing soothing properties of sitting in a serene spot in the woods by the riverbank, does me the ruddy world of good.. who else here loves water and has a particular spot where they just enjoy unwinding and chilling out?
can you describe this special to you, place?.
who here has spent also many hours in reflexive meditation just watching the way that water moves and swirls along, perhaps eddies over the estuary mudflats, those tiny tubular rollers, or seen the way that ripples interact with one another?.
Terrific post! I LOVE the water--I learned to swim when I was two and have been addicted ever since. My lifelong dream has always been to live near water, preferable the ocean. In January of this year I moved to Rhode Island with my boyfriend, and it's wonderful to be able to go to the beach whenever we want!
I actually just got back from taking my dogs for a swim with another friend and her dog. We found a great beach that was practically empty! I also think that being a Pisces affects me too--I was always called a fish when in the water.
It's nice fulfilling a life long dream of living near the ocean though; and in a couple of weeks we're moving a little more south in the state and we'll be about 5 houses up from a big lake. We can see the water from our place, and have a wall of windows looking out towards it. I am soooooooooo excited! Ain't life grand when you're not waiting............and living each and every day instead.
Becky
i think when people leave the organization, they lump it all together- jehovah- religion, organization, etc.
i am not doubtful there is a god, but just doubtful that he used the wts to be his one & only means.
just wanted to say that.
Hi Melissa,
I enjoyed your post, even though for the most part I don't agree with it. I appreciate the way you've expressed yourself, and where you are after the borg. I've gone through various stages after my leaving, and can empathize with some of your thoughts.
As far as Jehovah bashing goes (from your original post), I would hope that you've read a thorough history of who "Jehovah" or any other God is from the Bible before you come to any major conclusions. There's been excellent research done on that topic here on the forum, and there's much more info out there. From my own research, as well as what I've read on here, the characters in the bible have been drawn on and influenced by Greek mythology, as well as many other cultures that were in existence before the bible. By taking into account the complete history of the bible and it's pagan influences, you get a much more reliable and complete picture of what it is--a book written by man, with some overall good points to live by and treat others.
In answer to your questions from your last post, I think when we die we return to the "energy" of the universe around us. No eternal torment, no horrifying death at Armageddon. Would a "just and loving" god allow millions to die because they don't live in a Christianity based area? Would he allow them to die if they were born homosexuals? I'm choosing to believe that we choose our life course based on our actions (like you've chosen a new house and car based on your earning a good living). And I don't need a god telling me not to harm others--I do it because "I" don't want to cause pain or suffering to others. I am not afraid of death anymore--it's a natural part of life. I'm sad when someone dies, because I'll miss them. However, the fear is GONE!
The purpose of having children--now that's an interesting way to phrase that. It seems to me that a large portion of society doesn't CHOOSE to have kids--they have sex and that's the result. But no, it's not to live a crappy life then die. My life isn't crappy, because I've made choices to be happier. If I choose to have kids (or have them without planning), I will hopefully be able to teach them love and respect of all other people. I will do my best to make their lives happy--not crappy. And I will definitely try to teach them that THEY are in control of their life--to a certain extent. I will not fill their heads with horrid, violent stories about a god that may or may not let them live "in the future". They will be taught responsibility for their actions--not condemnation or judgement.
Christianity does not IMHO define how to live a "better life". From what I've seen and read, we're taught to hate (or condemn to death) others who don't share the same views. For me, that's not better than being a JW. I've since chosen to adopt the views from Buddhism, Taoism etc. They focus on love for ALL OTHERS, and have been a huge part of my growth into a much happier person. I am no longer filled with the fear of doing something wrong, because the bottom line is how we treat others. BTW, they also focus on responsibility for actions, not eternal torment.
One last question for you though--why does it have to be a "god" who blesses you, or answers prayers? Have you ever wondered if it's that innermost part of you that's doing the answering? That YOU, Melissa, have the abililty to find the answers you want/need in your life? If you have that ability, then why give the glory to something else? Kind of shifts the perspective doesn't it. We were told our whole life that we were NOT in control, that we were WAITING for things to be better based on God's timetable. If we don't give that power to a god, then are we capable of changing things for the better ourselves? Me thinks YES!!!
Thanks for the post,
Becky
my husband and i have had sort of a disagreement of sorts.
he says that men cannot be friends with women.
he says that any man that appears to want to be friends with a woman really just wants to get in her pants, and if they end up friends it's purely by accident.
I'm a 34 yr. old female, with a boyfriend of 1 1/2 years. I was married for 8yrs., but that's another story... I think that it's VERY HEALTHY to have friends of both genders. We get a unique perspective to our partner when we can have honest friendships with those of the opposite sex. I do think there are many men out there who WOULD have sex with their friends if possible; however, hopefully that's not the majority.
I have many male friends, some of whom I'm very close to. The difference is I'm honest with my boyfriend about my friendships--I tell him when I've talked to them and what we talked about. He doesn't feel left out, and I'm not doing it behind his back. They provide a viewpoint that is invaluable in my dealings with my boyfriend. And he has friendships with women too--two of his best friends are female. He has been close friends with them for about 3 years or so.
I do agree that you have to be relatively mature in order to have a relationship with the opposite sex that is nonsexual. And from what I've observed over the years, when sex (or fooling around) does happen between friends, there is a lot more to the story! Someone is feeling lonely, neglected etc. It certainly doesn't excuse the actions, but NO ONE PERSON can usually be blamed for a problem. If you have a strong sexual feeling for someone else other than your partner, maybe that's an indication to something that's missing. And yes, I have been in those shoes myself, but that's another story too....
Great topic--thanks for the opportunity to add my 3 cents worth.
Becky
i've been doing some research on dream interpretation lately and as i would like to know if you ever had any strange or recurring dreams when you were a jw.
for instance, if you often had dreams of being chased by the police or some type of powerful entity, it could represent your struggle with the quthority that the organization often represented itself to be.
i think it's an interesting topic, just thought i'd see if you guys had anything to add.... .
Preston,
Great topic! Dreams are something else I've been interested in lately, and want to write mine down if I can ever remember them! I used to have dreams that I was in some sort of amusement park, (which should have been fun!?!) but that I was really tiny in comparison to all the other people and rides. I remember the feeling like I was afraid that I'd break, like I was really light weight, brittle boned maybe? I can't describe it very well, because it's been a long time since I've had it. I had them often enough at times that I would sometimes dread going to sleep, for fear of the reocurring(?sp) dream.
The dreams always seemed dark, and some felt like something was chasing me. I wasn't ever able to watch scary movies as a child--my parents had to take me out of "The Sleeping Beauty" because I was terrified of the witch! To this day I haven't been able to watch many things that are too horrific or violent. It upsets some deep part of me in a very large way. But, since I left the borg about 4 years ago, I don't remember having a bad dream. (I also used to be able to wake myself up from a bad dream, by saying mentally--while sleeping--'wake up, it's not real')
Thanks again!
Becky
"it's the end of the world as we know it ... and i feel fine" .
i have always loved this line, as it sums up my conversations with witnesses and family that remain witnesses.
when 9/11 happened i got a lot of letters, conversations, and phone calls from witnesses wanting my wife and i to become active again.
Kenpo,
I had to tell you how much your post affected me! I FEEL FINE TOO! (except for the odd days of lingering confusion) I really appreciated your remarks about saving yourself, and being able to love others unconditionally. I think that feeling alone was one of the biggest releases for me--I am so much happier living in a world that I'm not continually judging "to death". Thanks for the pick-me-up post!
Becky
even though it has been years since i last stepped into a kingdom hall, it is only recently that i have accepted the idea that the jws are a cult.
the word cult has such a horrible connotation, i mentally reserved it for the most overtly offensive groups.
then, last evening, i went to mass with my husband.
HbH,
IMO, yes, for the most part. If a religion professes to have the "truth", especially in connection to whether or not you'll live or die based on THEIR teachings, it's a cult. If it excludes others for reasons like race, sexuality, income, attire, appearance; then it's a cult, because people are relying on man-made regulations to determine future life and death (instead of their own choices).
I've visited only 2 churches so far in my life who IMO do not qualify as cults--a Unity church in Cincinnnati, and a Unitarian church in RI. I found that they were truly non-judgmental towards others of various backgrounds, and that I did not have to ATTEND to be saved. They focused on building up our own self-worth, and not relying on people to give it to you. They were also very diligent about education--they constantly informed the church-goers about different lifestyles, encouraged a wide variety of reading, had an EXTENSIVE library (many things we would have been DF'd if we'd just looked at them), were college educated themselves etc.
Although I think that there were some members (who I met) who probably were more cult-like in themselves, the views and beliefs taught from the core members was about acceptance. I healed tremendously while going--it was truly a place of love and I needed to realize there are places like that. I am now in a different phase of my life, but I still want to visit other religions so I can see for myself what is being taught. However, I do not ever want to be a part of something that EXCLUDES others and has a death sentence for non-believers. I prefer to believe that we are in control of our own lives (although we do need help!)--not a faceless entity.
Thanks for posting such a great topic! And sorry I haven't emailed you back--I've been stressed out this weekend and am just now finding my feet again. I'll write to you soon with more about me.
Becky
