here's a few-------jws are not "the happiest people on earth".
they are not the "most educated people on earth" in spite of their enrollment in the theocratic ministry school.. witnesses are not the best neighbors because they won't involve themselves with you unless they can preach to you.. .
any others to make up the list??
They are NOT perfect ... neither as a group nor as individuals.
Based on the list here, the more applicable title might be:
"List What Things Humans are NOT"
So then, when one reads the list here, the more accurate title actually is:
"List What Things Some Humans ARE"
Generalizing will always produce exceptions, and there's the value.
love,
willow
my lovely girlfriend and i sat down over a homecooked meal, and discussed the pros and cons of attending the memorial.. i decided, with her support, that we would attend.. i spent years of my life pretending to be a witness to please my mother.
when i left the witnesses, my mother said some hurtful things.. and those things really hurt me... for a while.
but i established myself as my own person, developed my own relationships, and have gotten a good start on my own life.. i don't know that i want to hurt my mother back, but i do want to make it abundantly clear to her, my grandmother, and all the members of my former congregation, that richierich is alive and kicking.. and i think that walking into the kingdom hall, dressed respectfully in a suit, yet with full piercing jewelry intact, and with erika wearing something classy that steals the brother's eyes, and draws glares from the humble sisters, will be just the thing to send that message to my mother.. i don't plan on partaking or making a disturbance.
Great that you've decided to return for the Memorial, Richie!
Just one suggestion --- using your girlfriend to show off your newly found status in the world is neither cool nor classy.
Even the most practiced worldly ones recognize that women were not created to be displayed around like dancing bears. (well, actually, neither were bears! lol)
I think a better venue for your need to prove you're alive and kicking would be your local Easter parade, an event created specifically for the purposes you list. Perhaps you could have someone videotape your appearance and send it to your mother, it might be less disruptive for her.
love to all,
willow
i am hoping someone here can offer some wisdom on how i can deal with my guilt.
when i was disfellowshipped a few years ago i acted like a maniac afterwards.
i did and said things to my then girlfriend and other witnesses that i truly regret.
Yes, I'd think it would be difficult to go back, to admit your wrongdoings, to humble yourself to those who have been hurt by your actions.
More important though, is that by going back, you are returning to Jehovah. It's first about strengthening your relationship with Jehovah through His Organization, and then about the individuals within it whom you love and miss.
Have you prayed on this matter Shawn, asked Jehovah for the forgiveness and guidance you're seeking? Jehovah and Jesus can lead you back to the path on which you find purpose and meaning, back to the ones who bring true happiness to your life -- and away from the guilt and anger you feel toward individual humans.
Re-read your initial post carefully. I believe you have answered your own questions and will find your solutions in your own words.
I know this is not the advice many here expect, but here it is anyway: Go back to the meetings, put the anger out (it is a very destructive emotion), go with an open heart and mind for the ones who truly love you.
I need that happiness back. I am not finding it all alone by myself.
I think you do know who can help you get that happiness back. Remember Shawn, you are never alone ...
best to you,
willow
okay, i decided to bring my ficus tree, ivy/combo plant home with me from the office.
my daughter and i transplanted it and began to clean the leaves that were pretty dusty.. then, it happened.
i started to notice white circles at the stem of each leaf....sometimes 2 of them.. i believe they are mealy bugs.. does anyone here have any suggestions?
You've already taken a good step by transplanting them and pruning off any heavily infested leaves. If possible (weather permitting), take them outside every week and spray it with the garden hose, this will help dislodge the insects. When inside, the plant can be sprayed with insecticidal soap -- Safer's Soap is a good one -- or horticultural oil, like Neem Oil (but it smells bad!). I find the best treatment is a spray of rubbing alcohol and water, mixed 10 parts water to 1 part alcohol.
Keep watch of the plants, especially at the base of the leaf stems. If you see any white cotton reappear, treat immediately with Safer's Soap or rubbing alcohol on a q-tip.
Don't fertilize the plants while treating for insects, also keep out of direct sun, and be sure isolate them to avoid re-infestation. A little persistence, and your plants will be rid of these destructive little pests!
(Be careful using chemicals, especially in the house, use only products that are marked for inside use -- botanical based products like Neem Oil, rubbing alcohol are safer than chemicals.)
With your care attention, your plants should thrive!
willow
five reasons to deny 911 was an inside job .
1. comfort.
comfortable people do not dissent.
There is much resistance to the truth about 9/11 because the u.s. government and mainstream media did a thorough job of mind control.
It's up to individuals to break free and do a thorough job with their own research. Many of you here have questioned and demanded logic and facts from the WTS, the publications and the Bible ---- please, use those same skills, take all the information about 9/11 and dissect it with an open mind and objective thought.
If "conspiracy theories" scare you, you might be more comfortable by first reading the (government's) 9/11 Commission Report to find your questions. Read up on why the "Jersey Girls" didn't buy into the official story and what they did about it. These are all real reports by real people reported by real (mainstream) sources -- many of the same sources and people that told you the "official" story, the ones so many trust ...
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/24/eveningnews/main565000.shtml
If you view "Loose Change" as just another nutty, crazy conspiracy theory, try watching "9/11 Press For Truth" ....
http://www.muckrakerreport.com/id358.html
There are some who need to be lead gently to the truth about 9/11.
Please learn and accept the truth -- if you can't do it for yourselves, do it in memory of those we lost that day.
love to all
willow
my friend is an up and coming jw recruit.
not baptized, but high-stepping in that direction.. any way... she lives a small rural town and she has to go to a neighboring town to a kh.
she recently asked her jw guru if there would be a kh built in their own town any time soon.
Actually I know of this happening in several areas. The one that sticks out is the Stanley Theater in Jersey City. It had sat there abanonded for years, when it was purchased by the JW's, and then discovered that it was going to be a KH, many protested, from neighboring Churches, to residence and even politicians.
True. But they peacefully and patiently overcame the opposition. And now the Stanley Theatre is considered an important asset to the city ... a thoughtfully restored and renovated active landmark again, thanks to Jehovah's Witnesses. It's worth a visit.
http://www.jclandmarks.com/stanleytheater.shtml
http://www.gabesplayerpianos.org/html/Stanloew.html
:) willow
not the kind of death, but actually dying?
not trying to be morbid, but for now, it is a part of life.. abr.
Yes. I am very afraid of dying.
It sounds brave to say "no, I'm not afraid of dying" ... following with conditions like not wanting to leave your kids, then says that "yes, you are afraid of dying". There's really nothing wrong with admitting to fear.
I love this life and don't want it to end ... and no amount of hope or dream or promise for something better will change that.
If people are not afraid of dying, why do they struggle so to live? Why not just go ahead and die?
Note to those who are not afraid of dying but don't want to leave your kids: Make legal provisions right now for their care. Death often gives no warning.
love to all,
willow
wow, what a voice!
been listening to a couple of cds of hers.
that was talent!
the "little sparrow" ... her songs are so moving and full of passion... her voice is like sunshine to me!
http://www.little-sparrow.co.uk/
mouthy, buy recordings here (scroll down to the bottom to listen to samples):
http://www.amazon.com/Edith-Piaf-Greatest-Recordings-1935-1943/dp/B000001HIM
okay, i have been harping on this issue for some time.
i think i have this thing refined enough that i can communicate it succinctly.
i want as much feedback as possible.
Ok, AuldSoul, I understand.
Yeah, I'd say dialogue with them on your part wouldn't be too productive under the circumstances I was told that in most cases they do generally respond to correspondence through the c.o. or elders, guess my timing or approach hit at the right time or something, who knows.
Thank you for appreciating why I wouldn't share that letter with you or anyone else. I don't think it would help in this discussion anyway, since what it said was posted. Hopefully the discussion can continue and be informative .... let's see if anyone else cares to contribute!
Peacefully,
Willow
okay, i have been harping on this issue for some time.
i think i have this thing refined enough that i can communicate it succinctly.
i want as much feedback as possible.
Dear AuldSoul, I have discussed the time-line points you highlighted above with elders, c.o.'s, JWs in good standing, and others and simply was stating the explanations I was given. (I have the same phrases highlighted in my personal discussion notes, lol) I never said I understand or agree with that explanations offered. I repeat::
Please note that this is not necessarily my opinion or interpretation ... it's how it was explained to me when I asked for help researching and understanding the same scriptures you've presented. I too, would like to hear an honest Scriptural explanation from a sincere active Witness.
If a knowledgeable, active JW here submits a clarification of the points in question, I would gladly listen.
Sorry, no I will not share the letter. It was written to me personally, so out of respect for the writer I will not release the letter for the sake of a public argument. Elders and others who know me know that I will do what I believe is directed by Jehovah and the Bible and that I will not blindly follow the words or thoughts of men who may themselves be mislead or misinformed, or not communicating information in a way that I grasp.
I've learned to take these matters directly to Elders or knowledgeable JWs, or in writing to the WTS. It's possible that if you wrote to the WTS they would respond in writing to you also.
I didn't join this discussion to have it become an argument or accuse anyone or the organization, but did so with honest hopes that there might be clarification of the points you brought up, which I believe many others do question also. Since the discussion isn't really going anywhere, I'll just bow out now.
Willow
