Posts by chrissy

28

What to say...

by wanderlustguy in

jw
friends

.

i don't know what to say here, i've typed this 10 times...and deleted it.

i just feel really, really alone.. goodnight.

chrissy

Ok, probably going to end up with two in a row here from me, but what I'm talking about is we set our whole life up on a fabrication and lie, so then all the sudden when the rug is yanked out, we have to put the pieces of reality back together that were missing before, and man is that a tough one. Like, where do I want to be when I'm 60 and pushing my walker around? Will I live that long?
For me I just wonder if I'll ever be happy. I've been happy a few times, but it's always fleeting and followed by double the bad.

Aww...hugs to you wlg.

This may sound lame, but have you ever thought about keeping a gratitude journal? Write three things down in it each day that made you feel thankful or happy. And since happiness is not a feeling so much as a memory, you will have all day to reflect. I got this idea from an article in TIME magazine, as suggested by a U of Carilona psychologist, based on extensive research regarding human happiness.

Here are a few others from the from the 1/17 issue of TIME (The Science of Happiness):

2. Practice acts of kindness (suggests both random and systematic)

3. Savor life's joys (pay close attention to momentary pleasures and wonders)

4. Thank a mentor

5. Learn to forgive (the WT for their trickery???)

6. Invest time and energy in friends & family (won't work if they are all jw's..i know, i know..but article suggests that strong personal relationships is what human happiness is all about vs. money, job title, health, etc.)

7. Take care of your body

8. Develop strategies for coping w. stress & hardships

http://www.authentichappiness.org/

I hope you feel better tomorrow.

Chrissy

16

sweet home Kansas-balama...

by tetrapod.sapien in

jw
friends

lol .

a true story from snopes:.

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/outrage/wright.htm.

chrissy

But today, I'm a little more secure in MY faith and MY beliefs, so I don't get all up in arms when someone expresses their spirituality differently than I. It's just different.

Billy,

Yes, good point. Walking into central christian that day was my first church experience. It was an overwhelming introduction to 'christendom' for a pair of very greenly freed jw eyes, as you also said. At that time (about five years ago), I was barely twenty or so, and half expected armageddon's arrival...the walls would cave in, and I would be crushed in the rubble as Jah looked down nodding in disbelief that I was even there.

I have been in other places of worship since then and am able to, if nothing else, respectfully observe free of judgment. Still, no place compares to CC of Wichita.

Furthermore, I am not surprised that the sneaky and inappropriate prayer went down as it did. That place had a certain feeling of arrogance and self righteousness. And the way they blocked intersections to protest abortion...rather hostile, not to mention inconvenient for drivers.

Wow. it is so good to say I am not in kansas anymore. no offense, kansans.

59

Hi everybody

by Cellist in

jw
friends

we "faded" more than a decade ago.

at least, we began to fade.

it took a few years before they gave up on us.

chrissy

Hi there, and welcome...

The cello is such a beautiful instrument...too bad we can't all hear you play.

37

What is a "Sheldon"?

by GetBusyLiving in

jw
friends

a turtle?

income tax consultant?

messed up ex-cultist?

chrissy

I don't know who came up with may name...but it means 'christian'. I guess I will forever be stuck with that title. (thanks a lot)

16

sweet home Kansas-balama...

by tetrapod.sapien in

jw
friends

lol .

a true story from snopes:.

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/outrage/wright.htm.

chrissy

Tetra,

Oh my gaa...

Would you believe that not only did I live in Wichita, KS. for three years and know exactly where Central Christian church is, but also, that my husband, a member there, drug me into the place and insisted I sit through hours of that same crap from probably that same jackass.

Its true, that church is soooo huge. (2500+ members) ...its like a trip to an amusement park...freaking six flags or something. People are waving their hands in the air, saying things out loud from the audience, getting down on their knees next to you and praying on their seats..its some crazy stuff I never saw go down at the KH. I was thinking how nice it would be to be back at my old windowless monochramatic hell hole kh right about that time.

Anyway, I don't know how he got away with it. Thank god at least one person got up and walked out during his prayer in the house of senate.

76

Leaving the Truth - Songs to Destroy Your Faith By

by tetrapod.sapien in

as some of you may know, i am a recently self-deconverted jw.

the experience of deconversion was at times emotional.

i have compiled a list of songs i would listen to on those emotionally turbulent occasions.

chrissy

Great idea TS...

I like your list. Elliot Smith and Jeff Buckley are two of my favorites.

I'll add Nick Drake and the entire Pink Moon album. I discovered it shortly after I left and it was very comforting. Each song is like gentle hug from a stranger. I think its Drake's voice...totally dreamy and just plain awesome.

And I think all three of these guys died in some tragedy and way too young. What a strange coincidence.

42

Weight Issues

by TomCat in

jw
friends

my wife has been struggling with her weight since the birth of our children.

she's done every fad diet and always gives up.

now she's turned to phentermine, a controlled substance for weight loss.

chrissy

Hey dudes,

I guess where I was coming from was just that he emphasized that her weight was baby related, not medical such as thyroid, metabolism, etc. If it is all just baby weight it will come off natuarally, without the use of diet pills. Doesnt sound like it is life-threatening, he did not mention that she was obese before pregnancy... Unless I missed something.

I did not understand or interpret Tom Cat to be complaining about his wife's weight in general. No man hating here.

Chrissy

42

Weight Issues

by TomCat in

jw
friends

my wife has been struggling with her weight since the birth of our children.

she's done every fad diet and always gives up.

now she's turned to phentermine, a controlled substance for weight loss.

chrissy

Hi Tom Cat,

This is the second topic I have responded to where a man is seemingly over concerned about his wife's body weight. What gives dudes? I just have to wonder what you men look like and how you take care of yourselves? In defense of new moms everywhere I have to say, I think it would be incredibly hard to lose the weight quickly, as you are trying to juggle the new baby and all of life's other responsibilities. Especially if you are not in good shape to begin with (before pregnancy).

At any rate, the diet pills are a temporary fix and in my opinion an unhealthy and totally unnecessary means of weight loss. The body has all of the components needed within itself to maintain its own healthy weight. Of course, you have to do the usual...eat right, exercise, or engage in active lifestyle, etc. Until people accept this the multi-billion dollar diet industry will remain flourishing.

Phentermine, with its effects on blood pressure, sounds way too much like that herbal supplement ephedra, for my liking. Remember that baseball player that died from taking ephedra? I believe he had a heart attack in his 30's. Its really nothing you want to mess around with. I'd suggest she get off the diet pills asap.

Chrissy

74

who escapes more often, those born into it or adult converts?

by kid-A in

jw
friends

what strikes me on this board is the number of adult converts that have left the borg, either fading out or getting df'd.

from my experience (i was born into it, 2nd generation, left before getting baptized) most of the faders or escapees were also like.

me, born into it, never really accepted it and just bowed out at the first opportunity.

chrissy

Statistcally, I could'nt say who "escapes" more often. But also having been raised as a witness myself, I have wondered what it would be like to have grown up as a free spirited person and then all of a sudden this sect approaches me and asks me to give up my entire way of life and a bunch of my traditions to join in with them and thier hopes and promises. I can't imagine it.

Those that do join as adults, yeah, they are giving up a lot, therefor making their devotion stronger.

However, I also never understood or personally knew anyone that grew up a jw but did not whole heartidly believe it all to be true. Unless their parents were "spiritually sick" themselves, or failed to raise them up in a way "pleasing to jah" or whatever. Maybe I just stayed away from those "bad-associate" kids?

My first doubt was at 9 years old, and my FINAL doubt was at 20.

Oh my gosh!! 9 years old and you were doubting it! I am totally impressed. When my parents skipped meetings, I was ashamed of them and caught a ride with someone else. It seemed to only make my devotion stronger.

82

Women, girls, ladies -- 5 biggest "turn on's" / "turn off's"

by logansrun in

ladies,.

in preperation for a class i'll be taking starting next month entitled "history of love, sex and marriage" i would like to probe your heart's desire to find out the 5 biggest turn on's and 5 biggest turn off's you find in men.

and well, hell, i also would just like to add to my general knowledge.

chrissy

logansrun-

I can only speak for myself here on this one regarding materialism. I don't know why other women find it a turn-off...But I associate materialism with consumerism somewhat. I guess I should say in all people I find non-flashy and modest living standards, where at least some concern is placed on the enviornment and a general desire for simplicity, to be more attractive than someone who seeks satisfaction and approval in displaying all of their "things." But money is good, stability is good. Yes women still want men that will provide. I do not think that will ever change, its evolutionary as you've said.

LOL. All this coming from a girl with way more shoes than she will ever need. teehee. ***Holy smokes! 100 posts!! I cannot believe I've actually had 100 totally random things to say in the past few weeks****