Posts by FreeGirl2006

50

Are You A Screwed Up Adult Because You Were A Witness?

by minimus in

jw
friends

or did it not matter that you were ever a witness---you're a bit screwy, anyway?.

FreeGirl2006

I haven't posted in a while but I have been lurking.This is an interesting thread to me and something my boyfriend and I discuss on a regular basis.

My boyfriend was a Baptist minister and as deeply entrenched in that cult/religion as I was with the Borg. I was born in and baptized by 14. I left in my late 30s. Boyfriend was pulled into his world in his mid~twenties. We compare notes all the time. Both of us feel as if we came up for oxygen and really started living once we left our respective mind/emotion prisons.

I realized what a joy it is to live day each rather than to be focused on a fairytale future. I decided when I left to be open to all possibilities. I try not to dwell on the damage I experienced being in the Borg and look at the fact that I am no longer depressed (spent most o my life being depressed), I no longer need medication to cope with life, I have good friends who genuinely care for me, I met the love of my life who treats me better than any of the emotionally repressed brothers I dated (or in the case of the ex-hub married), and I went back to school and graduated with a master's degree and run a very successful business. The harm I experienced from being a jw makes me appreciate how far I have come in the short (6 years) since I was kicked out. Truly the elders gave me a gift....maybe I should send my old Cong. a big bouquet of flowers!

I know I still have issues as a result of the Borg upbringing and sometimes it takes me by surprise the issues I have. It was a struggle to get my business up and running because in the back of my mind was "what is the point, it is all going to end soon." Apathy is something that the dubs are good at preaching about, but they have the largest portion of apathy in the world--apathy for the here and now. I would say that is the biggest thing I still struggle with is the apathy I was enveloped with for 35+ years.

263

Growing up a gay Jehovah's Witness (My Life Story)

by m0nk3y in

i feel the need to express how i feel and felt about my life as a gay man.

i was brought up from birth as a jehovahs witness.

this has played a major part in my life and it has been a real struggle to get past.

FreeGirl2006

*hugs & more hugs* So glad you found unconditional love.

51

What smells bring back old memories?

by John Doe in

jw
friends

fresh cut hay in may?.

spring rainshowers?.

a creek with active marine life?.

FreeGirl2006

Opium makes me think of my mother

Honeysuckle reminds me of carefree days

Joop--being wrapped in a man's arms

101

2008 District Convention Theme

by R.F. in

okay, so it should be very soon when the theme for the 2008 convention will be made public.

what do you think the them will be?

FreeGirl2006

Sir82--thank you for rounding out the drama description--how remiss of me to leave out such vital information.

46

Thanks for the support, but MY HUSBAND and THE BROTHERS WANT ME BACK

by AWAKE&WATCHING in

jw
friends

the hell with that.

my husband came to my store today telling me that we are so close to the end now, he can tell by all the changes in meetings.

you know the kool-aid edition and time frames etc.

FreeGirl2006

Snakes--glad I could help ya out! Must have been divine direction (I think I am puking now).

101

2008 District Convention Theme

by R.F. in

okay, so it should be very soon when the theme for the 2008 convention will be made public.

what do you think the them will be?

FreeGirl2006

The Divine Plan Does Not Involve Thinking or True Love

Friday's Theme: Learn to Hate Those that Love You

Saturday's Theme: Repeat After Me

Sunday's Theme: Hate to Think, Think to Hate

Drama: The thrilling retelling of the Prodigal Son--how the father sends hunters after the prodigal son and beats him down before lovingly disfellowshipping him for being human.

19

UPDATE

by FadingELD in

i would like to think everyone for thier the support through my famalies trying times.

well things did not turn out the way i was hoping it would have so far.

my wife has not come home as of yet and has no plans to.

FreeGirl2006

*hugs* Trials by fire make us stronger.

46

Thanks for the support, but MY HUSBAND and THE BROTHERS WANT ME BACK

by AWAKE&WATCHING in

jw
friends

the hell with that.

my husband came to my store today telling me that we are so close to the end now, he can tell by all the changes in meetings.

you know the kool-aid edition and time frames etc.

FreeGirl2006

A&W--One of the best days of my life was making the decision to get a divorce...mine should be final in Nov....lots of celebrating going on in VA when that happens.

You are resilient and have an awesome sense of humor...good things to aid in your decision being successful.

44

Sweetface's father has a message for everyone here!

by sweetface2233 in

after being raised as a jw, my dad was df'd for the 2nd time in 1994. that year he lost a wife, 3 children, mother and brother, as well as every friend he had made throughout his 40 years of life.

over the years my sister and i gradually started contacting him, but never had a real father/daughter relationship.

a few years ago, during my divorce, he and i sat down and started discussing his feelings.

FreeGirl2006

You are very fortunate to be able to have a relationship with your dad. Thanks for sharing his advice with us.

Your dad is absolutely right...life is wonderful and an adventure...no matter what has happened in the past, happiness can be had.

17

The Other Side of the Wall

by changeling in

the other side of the wall.

i recently learned that the meaning of the word "paradise" comes from the persian language and means: walled garden.

funny thing is, ive been taught from infancy that the word simply meant "garden", which sounds lovely and desirable.

FreeGirl2006

You are so poignantly eloquent Changeling.

I grew up within the wall too and I was forced outside. I was scared and alone. Everyone I knew and loved remained within the wall. Slowly, the sun began to shine on me and people I would formerly never have given more than a smug passing glance took me in hand. I blossomed and found happiness--a fact that confounds my family still within the walls. I tread carefully though to keep hidden the fact that I despise their paradise, their truth because one member of my family reaches out to me. I don't want to lose that, so I balance precariously between what is in my life and what she wants to hear.

You are free to speak here though amongst the comfort of familiar strangers who have tales so similar to yours. I hope you continue to write your prose and share it.