Posts by Dawn

20

For those who didn't go to uni....

by brinjen in

jw
friends

18 years ago

especially those who didn't go on account of the borg (the vast majority).

do you regret this decision?

if you did go what would you have studied?

18 years ago

Dawn 18 years ago

I wanted to go to medical school, but did not go to college because of JW influence. I didn't have the $$ and didn't know about grants and low interest loans so I figured that college wasn't an ooption - my parents very strongly encouraged me to get married and pioneer.

But it's never too late! I did go back to college later on and just graduated this spring with my Bachelor of Science degree (I'm 41 now) - which got me a nice promotion at work doing exactly what I want to do. I encouraged my kids from the time they were little to go to college - my son is in his 3rd year of an Engineering degree. The little one (9) is not yet ready for college but is planning her interests and future career already.

If you regret not going to college I really encourage you to just do it - even one class a quarter. Start back - don't keep looking at the past and your regrets, instead, look to the future and your possibilities.

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47

Why can't I just get over it and move on?

by Crumpet in

18 years ago

months have passed now since mr c and i officially separated.

so why can't i get over it?

why am i still jealous?

18 years ago

Dawn 18 years ago

Crumpet: One thing that might help is to try doing something new that you never did before, for example, take guitar lessons, scuba lessons, try surfing, maybe even take one of those beginner flying lessons. Something very different from your normal routine. This helps in two ways

First, It can help you to build back your self confidence - accomplishing something you didn't think you could do

Second, it's hard sometimes to break free from someone we love so much because all of our normal routine activities remind us of them. When you start something new it not only can take your mind off of the person for a little while, but you start to build new activities, conversations, and friends that don't involve that person.

This helped me get over my son's father when we split.

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50

Do You Feel Like You Were "Screwed Over" By A Judicial Committee?

by minimus in

jw
friends

18 years ago

.....or do you feel as though you "deserved" to be reproved or disfellowshipped?

?

18 years ago

Dawn 18 years ago

Yes. And thank God for that, or I might never have found the door to freedom.

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91

Sister Pioneer and Her 10 Year Secret of Porneia

by bluesapphire in

jw
friends

18 years ago

when i was studying, the sister who studied with me was a pioneer and as "righteous-overmuch" as they come!

i wasn't even baptized and she was already pressuring me to pioneer since i didn't work.

nevermind that i had three little girls all under 4!!!.

18 years ago

Dawn 18 years ago

bluesphire - I understand totally your feeling.

Take the high road, like you said. Eventually she will pay for her actions. She may already be and you just dont know it. She may have stress, health problems, etc. Some how, karma always gets them in the end. I've seen it over and over again. Just do what you believe is the right thing to do. If you can be proud of yourself and how you have handled it, then that's what matters most.

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62

My Mom died yesterday

by skeptic1914 in

jw
friends

18 years ago

my mom passed away yesterday.

she was a die-hard jw.

i tried to explain why i couldn't accept certain teachings but rather than rationally consider what i had to say she chose to believe i was just "confused".

18 years ago

Dawn 18 years ago

skeptic - hugs to you. I lost my father (an elder) a few years ago. I understand and my condolances to you. Take care.

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37

How do you guys know that standing firm won't work

by dawg in

jw
friends

18 years ago

so, many of you have rightfully challenged my beliefs that standing firm and telling your families exactly what you feel about the wtbts won't work.... i submit that it doesn't work becasue we don't stand together!

if all of us would stand firm say what we know to be true, do it publically, and not back down then i guarentee you there are many in the congs that want out of this crap and their just too scared to do anything becasue they don't want to lose their families.

in my family there are many that call me privately and tell me they know the wt is a crock of shit but won't stand up against it!

18 years ago

Dawn 18 years ago

I have decided that if I expect my family to accept me just as I am - then I, in turn, must accept them just as they are. I don't try to convince them that their beliefs are wrong - I just love them the way they are.

But I do demand respect from them and do not play along with their shunning games any longer. Unfortunately, I think you can only do that once you are prepared to loose your family. I have lost my brothers - they don't talk to me. But I kept my Mom, who I now have a good relationship with where religion is not an issue.

It's a risk that one takes when they can no longer accept the "status quo"

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8

Thinking of writing a book

by Dawn in

jw
friends

18 years ago

i've been contemplating writing a book called "from the other side" .

basically a story about leaving the jw's.

only instead of focusing on what's wrong with the jw's (not that i wouldn't have a lot of material there!!.

18 years ago

Dawn 18 years ago

I've been contemplating writing a book called "From the other side"

Basically a story about leaving the JW's. Only instead of focusing on what's wrong with the JW's (not that I wouldn't have a lot of material there!!) - I want to tell the story of how I rebuilt my life. My "audience" so to speak are those individuals who are thinking of leaving, or who have left but feel lost. I want to show them what it's like "On the other side" - that it's not easy, but it is worth it.

I'd like your thoughts, suggestions, comments, etc.

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17

I graduated!

by Dawn in

jw
friends

18 years ago

it's been a while since i've posted - been busy with family, work and school.

missed a lot of you - see a lot of new faces!

just had to get on tonight and let you old timers know that i finally did it - i graduated with my bs in computer science.

18 years ago

Dawn 18 years ago

It's been a while since I've posted - been busy with family, work and school. Missed a lot of you - see a lot of new faces! Just had to get on tonight and let you old timers know that I finally did it - I graduated with my BS in computer science. And, I got a promotion (yea!!) - next month I will have the title "scientist" at the laboratory I work for. Can you believe that? Scientist - pretty cool!

So many years ago I would never have believed that I could do this. I'm so excited!

For all of you out there just embarking on a new life outside of the org - here's to you! - life is good, live it, enjoy it, relish the freedom!

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39

My Dad's funeral was yesterday

by JH in

18 years ago

last sunday, my dad passed away at age 76. he knew since last april that he had cancer.

his funeral was yesterday afternoon.

many friends and family members attended.

18 years ago

Dawn 18 years ago

JH - my thoughts are with you.

I lost my dad in 2001. I went through much of the same struggle - wondering what happens when we die. I have lost my brother and my best friend since then - and each time I went through the same struggle - trying to figure out what happens. Somehow - I felt I could feel better if I knew where they were.

If you want someone to talk with - 'IM' me. I am a good listener.

When I lost people in my life, I found that the best comfort was from people who just listened and let me talk - and didn't try to convince me to believe what they believed or tell me how to feel. I am here to pass this on if needed.

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53

Should Uninvited D to D Work of Jehovah's Witnesses be against the Law?

by frankiespeakin in

jw
friends

18 years ago

i agree that everyone should have the right to practice thier own religion, as long as it doesn't interfere with another person right to privacy and right to not be harassed in their own home by those who feel they have the better religion.. the door to door work of jws is harassment, when you consider that they call for the most part in the morning, univited to talk about why there religion is the right one and often have very bad things to say about other belief systems, which has the potential of disturbing the peace.

.

18 years ago

Dawn 18 years ago

I may hate what they say, and how they say it, but I'll defend their right to do so to the end of my days.

Amen!! I also defend our rights to speak out publicly against them!!!!

It is such rights that many boys and men have died to protect. We might not like what they say - but this is a free country and we all deserve a voice - whether that priviledge is recognized by all or not. That is democracy.

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