Posts by LearningToFly

julie and i have both known linda for over 25 years, from when she first became a jw, so we decided to write this tribute to her.. we first met linda in january 1981, when she attended her first ever meeting at our kingdom hall.

she had been taking the magazines for a few months, since just after she finished university, and had started studying a few weeks before, but this was the first time she had plucked up the courage to attend a meeting.

julie was having many doubts herself by then, and once again linda was supportive, as was trev.

LearningToFly

Thank you for the most beautiful tribute Marion & Julie! You are all truly beautiful souls!

I wish for you all peace and tranquility!

LTF (Deborah)

108

Send prayers ,good vibes for TRev.Linda's gone

by mouthy in

jw
friends

to a better place he needs out love more than ever now

LearningToFly

So sorry for the loss of your dear soulmate Trevor My heart goes out to you, I wish you peace!

Amen to mouthys prayers!

LTF

23

Actual photo of OBVES!

by deaconbluez in

jw
friends

.

LearningToFly

I for one don't find tormenting another human being funny! Even if they are a bit odd! I do not know this Obves! And have also read some posts that boggle my mind of his, but, I do not and will not think its funny to dehuminize anyone. No one knows the path or shoes another has walked in, or what made them who they are today. Some never escape the past, or radical teachings they were raised with, due to many reasons. Be thankful if you have escaped. It's fine to think to oneself that certain ones may be a bit off, but to openly riducule them like this is tasteless and cruel in my opinion. Perhaps it makes the one ridiculing feel good, and better about who they are and where they are in life, but, remember, even the oddest have a heart! Why go in and slice up who they are, just for humor? Even if they are a tad bit odd?

A kinder world it would be if we all we all understood and lived by this quote:

"It is not our purpose to become each other, it is to recognize each other, to learn to see the other and honor him for what he is" Hermann Hesse

LTF (Deborah)

35

Honestly, When You Were A Witness, Were You A Jerk?

by minimus in

jw
friends

did you think you were better than everyone else?

did you talk down to people?

were you a know-it-all?

LearningToFly

I wasnt a jerk, but so fearful of the outsiders that it was often suggested that I would drown in a rain shower due to my nose being stuck up so high. Funny thing is though, I truly wasnt stuck up nor a jerk, just conditioned to a life I was trained to live. Being a JW trains you to appear this way, or to live life this way. As you always seem to present yourself as better than others due to the fact that you won't associate with the outsiders, especially those who appear to be the least godly.

Looking back, I do see that I had assumed beliefs of outsiders even after leaving for quite some time. I've since purged those thoughts and beliefs.. and will no longer drown in a rain shower.

Now Im the outsider.. yey!

LTF

11

Departing for just a little while

by LearningToFly in

jw
friends

you all have been such a great source of validation to me for the reasons i left the cult.

yes.. i do call it a cult now.. i didnt before coming here.

much healing has taken place in my personal life with this recognition.

LearningToFly

You all have been such a great source of validation to me for the reasons I left the cult. Yes.. I do call it a cult now.. I didnt before coming here. Much healing has taken place in my personal life with this recognition. I find though, that with so much mental stimulation regarding the past, I find myself in a place I am not happy to be in. I am much to sensitive right now to deal with everything here. Obviously I haven't reached the stage of healing that so many have here. I thought I had.

For my own safety right now, I need a break, and will take one. I am so drawn to come here, feeling for the first time in my life I am understood. But, there is so much in me not resolved.. I have learned this since being here. It is truly a good thing. I am not sorry for a minute I found this site. I do find myself at this point spiraling into a sad depression.. angry.. sad.. reminiscing a little to much.. and not able to leave this site behind once I sign off.

Anyhow.. lots of love to you all.. your all lovely people.. I will be back soon.

Tata for now!

LTF

14

Fresia...my story

by fresia in

hello all, i must say it is really very hard for me to know where to start.

but i guess a little bit of background before i became a jw may have to be said.

i came from a disfunctional family and at the age of 3 was sent to homes, returned back to my family only later on to be sent back to other instituations, mainly due to neglect, but later on due to my running away from an abusive home.. my mother was religious, permiscuious but still religious, this turned me of religion in general but i liked and believed in the bible.

LearningToFly

((((Fresia)))) Thank you for sharing.. wishes of peace to you

LTF

78

any pagans on board?

by BlackSwan of Memphis in

jw
friends

call in thread for pagans etc.. .

LearningToFly

I can't claim to be pagan, but I do lean towards their thinking as well as the eastern religions, such as buddhism. My daughter is a pagan, not wiccan as she so clearly has defined the difference to me as well. I did attend a Pagan Festival last summer with her, and found it to be quite lovely. It was funny how many eyebrows rose when I shared I was going. There is such a fear among so many hearing the word Pagan, that they don't allow themselves to even investigate what it really is. I find it all very interesting, and have read a lot over the years on the topic. If I were to choose a belief system at this point though, it would be either Paganism or Buddhism.

LTF

56

Where were you when the planes hit?

by coolhandluke in

it f*cks me off that this happened only a few years ago but no one in my office has yet to even mention it.

it was such a pivotal event:.

i was driving from fontana to chino in california dressed in service clothes.

LearningToFly

I was awakened by my phone ringing before my alarm went off to get up and start my day. I ignored it, but when it rang the second time, I grabbed it hearing my friend barely able to speak and crying telling me to turn on CNN. I did so, and sat there for the morning in total shock and horror. It was the saddest thing I have ever seen...

LTF