Misery, that Giants-Eagles game was awesome, true. Just food for thought. Being a JW, we've been trained and drilled into believing violence=bad & boxing=violence. But ask yourself, is watching a night of MMA with three 1-9 minute fights between two trained professionals any more violent than a pro football game? Some of those hits last night were VICIOUS! But both sports are not wanton violence. They are calculated acts of athletes that get paid millions to voluntarily practice their craft. Also, JW's will never officially come down on hockey, but they have bare-fisted fighting as well. These minor pharasaical application of the general principle of "not being violent" is just crazy in my mind. Ok, just my thought for the day... hope that Hobbs kid is alright.
Hey Simon, good post! Good perspective. I've noticed the refs during all the games I watched yesterday and last night, were flagging all the hard hits. Some of the calls were questionable too. They're sending a message. They reported after the game that Hobbs walked out of the testing room on his own with a neck brace. He said he'll be back too. I'm glad for him, I hate to see anybody laying flat out like that and fearing he may or may not walk again. Its enough to give a penguin the chills.
Has the WT ever said anything about Hockey, ever? I live in a die hard hockey town too. I'm not much of a hockey fan, only until the playoffs will I get into it. But the far majority of brothers in positions and their families are die hard hockey fans where I live. I imagine its the same in other major cities too. Hockey is brutal with not just the fighting as you mentioned, but the checking too.
Ya know something else. The WT loves criticizing violence in entertainment, but at the same time, they seem like they're getting off on the violence in the Bible. When I read about violent acounts in the scriptures, I try looking for whatever practical value can be gleemed. The WT writers seem to be giddy off of violent stories in the bible though. Even when they have articles on Armageddon, you can tell they have a real hatred toward people in general. At the meeting on Sunday, during the WT study I was in the lobby, and this visiting woman with her two little adorable kids were running back and forth, and they were so cute. I just wanted to give em both the biggest hugs. The little girl kept running up to me and grabbing my leg. Or she'd hide from her brother behind my leg. Kids make you feel good, and you can't help but smile at their innocence. Later on, I had to stop at the grocery store to get a couple things, and I saw little kids with their parents, all so cute and innocent. It hit me, the Writing Department wants to see all those kids destroyed in the most graphic of ways. I don't know how anybody can reason like that and yet live with themselves. Then they have the nerve to print anti-sports article based off a so called violence.
But yeah, overall in hindsight, this weekend wasn't so bad. I would have liked getting right with a woman. But I aint the only one spending Saturdays alone. One thing I have to mention, call me crazy, but I hate apathy in field service more than belligerance. At least with hostile householders, we get some action. It makes for a good laugh later on in the day. Otherwise we're just moping up one side of the street, and then moping back down the other side of the street. Going on RVs where people are simply too nice to tell us that they never were interested in the first place. Its sad how weekends are in the truth.
Answering the original posted question, yes, there's such a thing as a perfect weekend when you're a JW.
Actually, a "perfect weekend" happens to anyone as it is relative to the person's expectations and state of mind.
As an actual JW in pretty good standing at the time, I make sure that just about every weekend is perfect according to my expectations: I fit in a bit of sleeping in late, because most days I wake up around 5:30 a.m., weekends is between 7:30 and 8:30; leisurely wake up, enjoy coffee breakfast, then fit in my field service time; come home, enjoy lunch a nap, then do a bit of chores and later on fit in shopping, dinner out or hanging out with other JW pals in leisure activities. The next day I fit in my meeting, then enjoy hanging out for lunch some place in the City, then whatever other relaxing activity fit for a Sunday afternoon, like playing sports with other JWs at some park.
And there it is... A perfect weekend!
Remember that it's all about expectations and state of mind.
DY
Hey DY, from one JW in good standing to another in good standing, to a degree I can see where you're coming from. The one point of dispute I have with you, and it may have just been a slip of words on your part. But as JWs in good standing, we dont "fit in our meetings." We fit everything else around our theocratic schedule. Thats what makes weekends somewhat tragic for JWs. Between field service, and meetings, and elder meetings, shepharding calls, study and preperation for all of the previous mentioned, it all gets pretty mundane. I'm glad you've found some JW Pals. Me personally, I don't believe in friendships with JWs any longer. Too many politics, too much potential for a friend to get disfellowshipped and then you're no longer allowed to consider him a friend. But hey if it works for you, awesome. Thanks for your post too. Its nice to hear the other side of the coin.
I agree too, it is all about the expectations and state of mind. I guess my problem is when it comes to the social aspect of being a JW In Good Standing, I have very low expectations when it comes to a satisfying weekend.
