As I sit here addressing my xmas cards for this year and think of all the people who have helped me on my jouney this past 7 years and especially the past 3, I thought I would post a thread letting people who knew me know how I am and what I have been up to this past year.
It will soon be 2 years since I moved from Florida to Atlanta, GA. Even though it was going back to full time work, I love my job and am glad I have one.
If people think there is no life after being in a mind control group, I’m here to say there is and such a wonderful one. I acknowledge that my therapy has helped me to get my mind untangled from being raised in a high control group and from being married to an alcoholic. So I highly recommend to everyone who has left the WT to find a support group, especially on co-dependency to help facilitate your recovery. Of course people can get on with their lives without therapy, but it sure helped me in recovery quicker than by myself.
Dancing is a big part of my life now, my social life. I started out taking West Coast Swing lessons and progressed to all kinds of dances but I enjoy WCS the best. Not only do I dance 3-5 times a week but I travel to other cities where there are big dance events taking place. In fact this past year I was in Dallas *gasp* and not for an apostofest but for a dance event where people from around the country and Europe came to dance. There were about 1000 people there. It was so much fun and a healthy environment. Most dancers (99.9 %) don’t smoke. Polite etiquette is observed among all. Dancing is one great community to get involved in if you are looking to replace all those meetings.
Also this past year I found my sailing community. Not only do I get to sail some weekends on Lake Lanier, near Atlanta but there were some of us dance buddies that chartered a sailboat in the British Virgin Islands last spring for a wonderful week of sailing. The captain made sure that each night we moored near a restaurant that had live music so that we could dance. Also this past Thanksgiving I sailed again along the Florida coast. Every day we saw dolphins. What wonderful memories of all my sailing trips this year.
Some of you know that I took up bike riding about 3 years ago, great therapy-gets the endorphins going. I continue to ride my bike and have found others who enjoy riding. In fact this past May there were 4 of us that rode from Smyrna, GA 80 miles to Piedmont, AL on the Silver Comet trail. Spent the night in a fleabag motel and returned the next day. Many shorter rides are great because we have found some good restaurants to eat at while we enjoy a day’s ride. This fall I went with my son up to the Georgia Mountains to see how I would do climbing. I’m not a climber, it took all I had to ride 20 miles and 3000 feet in vertical climbs. My son did 3 Gap and is now training for 6 Gap next year. This is the area that Lance Armstrong trains in the US for the mountains of Europe. Hopefully, I get back and do the “valley” ride in the mountains again next year.
As far as next year goes, I’ve already got several dance events to attend, averaging one a month. Also two cruises planned. One on a ship involving WCS dance workshops and another sailing charter back in the B.V.I. Hopefully I’ll be able to get back to Europe in the summer time.
Have I found peace and contentment in my life? You bet. I feel strongly that I’m a spiritual person, just not one who would ever get involved with any religion. I highly value commitment, loyalty, honesty and morality along with a positive outlook on life. What does the future hold? I don’t know, no one does. I’m just trying to do the best I can with what qualities I have.
One of my favorite quotes I found this year summarizes how I live…
“Sometimes it is more important to demonstrate confidence that others will find their way than it is to try to figure out how you yourself can help them out of their dilemmas.”
May everyone have a happy holiday and wonderful new year, 2009.
Joy
aka: joy2bfree, joyzabel.
Joyzabel
JoinedPosts by Joyzabel
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37
Hello to all who knew me...
by Joyzabel inas i sit here addressing my xmas cards for this year and think of all the people who have helped me on my jouney this past 7 years and especially the past 3, i thought i would post a thread letting people who knew me know how i am and what i have been up to this past year.. .
it will soon be 2 years since i moved from florida to atlanta, ga. even though it was going back to full time work, i love my job and am glad i have one.. .
i acknowledge that my therapy has helped me to get my mind untangled from being raised in a high control group and from being married to an alcoholic.
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Joyzabel
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47
Gin is best drunk with?
by stillajwexelder ingin is best drunk with
1)ice only
2)tonic and lemon slice
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Joyzabel
*hiccup* I aggree, stir but not shhaken *hiccup*
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47
Gin is best drunk with?
by stillajwexelder ingin is best drunk with
1)ice only
2)tonic and lemon slice
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Joyzabel
*sitting here sipping BS gin with almond stuffed olives with Joe Anderson*
<silly grin on face>
"Makes Tanqueray and Bombay Saphire taste like Listerine." :-p
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Happy Anniversary, my sweetheart!
by onacruse inyes, it was just 5 years ago on xmas day that bikerchic and i got married in las vegas at the little church of the west.
it was too funny, going to the courthouse with $50 in hand (cash only, please!
), and walking out to a parade of taxis all offering to take us wherever we wanted to go (cash only, please!).
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Joyzabel
OMG!!!
I remember when you took her up in the hot air balloon!!!
wow, has 5 years really gone by?
Congrats you two.
Joy
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Merry Christmas Good News for ME!!!!
by outnfree indear loving jwd family,.
as many of you know, i have benefited immensely from the tuesday night vigils and the positive energy expended on my behalf via prayer, reiki, visualization, etc.. i had my last herceptin treatment on november 30, and then got bogged down with finals, so didn't check in here.
i had a muga scan and a ct scan of my lungs, abdomen and pelvis this past tuesday as the sort of end of treatment check ups.. i am grateful, elated, pleased, thankful and more to report the results:.
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Joyzabel
Wonderful news, ((((Brenda)))
Enjoy your holidays.
Joy
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Charles Russell, Alleged Child Abuser
by Farkel inin the thread about whether charles russell was gay or not, a topic was brought up that i believe deserves a new thread.
as card-carrying apostates we all need to be careful about our information.
even one mistake, whether intentional or not, gives dubs the chance to jump up and say, "see those apostates lied about that thing.
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Joyzabel
so where's "the book"?What is going to be the title of "the book"? and when can we expect to see it in print?
*inquiring minds want to know*
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THIS is a DANGEROUS PLACE
by peggy inbecause you all inform with logic.
i have been reading for several months now.
not even sure how i found this site.
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Joyzabel
*interesting how this thread is in the "Bible" topic!
bwhahahahaha
btw, welcome and enjoy the rest of your awakening life.
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Wedding Of Number 1 Son, Some Official Pics.
by Englishman indon't be late!.
'cos the men in black.... .
want to see this lady... .
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Joyzabel
WOW, wonderful pics!
Just think most of those people were the same ones at your BBQ! WOW do they clean up well.
You and Her Ladyship look absolutely lovely.
The whole pic needs to be blown up and on your mantle.
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They're safe!!!!!
by ozziepost insubmariners 'satisfactory' after rescue .
5:07 pm august 7
the seven crew of a russian mini-submarine rescued after being stuck on the bottom of the pacific ocean are in a "satisfactory" condition and do not need special medical attention, the russian navy says.
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Joyzabel
wonderful news. *whew*
*off to read the newspaper now*
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14
shunning
by jen_h ini have been disfellowshipped for 7 years now, and the other day my mom says she is supposed to stop associating with me.
i know i'm df'd, but i'm family.
i am so upset by them.
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Joyzabel
welcome and read on. You may find your own answers here in other threads.