JW83

Joined

• started 51 topics
• posted 826 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by JW83

• 
  6

  Black/white thinking

  by JW83 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  does anyone else here tend to still think in black & white?

  i still find it hard to think in shades of grey.

  example: i'm tossing up at the moment doing a phd or a dip education (teaching) but the hardest thing is that i feel like i can't take a detour from my path (phd).

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  JW83

  Thanks for your replies! I guess that's where I'm at - I either accept it or try to change it!

  Another example: some new dumbass solicitor where I work part-time was severely patronising to me today & I just felt like, 'doesn't she know who I am?' Everyone was saying 'don't let it worry you' and I know that is the healthy response, but I feel like I'm constantly insecure in myself. When I was growing up as a witness that was sort of the only defence against criticism - 'well, don't they know I'm part of God's chosen people and they're all gonna die!' Sad, I know Also I feel like we're all going to be measured up when we die, if not by god then by history, and I want to be a success.

  One of my lecturers told me once to lighten up & go to the pub more often. Probably pretty good advice!
• 
  62

  What smell takes you back to your dub days?

  by mtbatoon in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  old heated paint.

  let me explain.

  the old kh i went to would give off this strange smell of burnt paint ever time the central heating was put on.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  JW83

  seeing that I am still a witness id say that the smell of a pretty fall morning. sunshining and dew on the ground. You know what I mean? Nope.
• 
  7

  A book list for recovery

  by Lady Lee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i am posting a list of some of the books that i have that some of you may find helpful.

  please feel free to add any books that you may have found helpful or think might be helpful to others.

  lerner, h.g.. dance of deception.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  JW83

  I really liked 'Who Wrote the Bible?' by Richard Elliott Friedman.
• 
  8

  WT.ORG Website ... pic of guy who just got DF'd

  by lentilstew in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this guy, in the article listed below, just got df'd.. http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2004/7/22a/article_01.htm.

  he is a very nice guy and his wife (shown in the pic) is a frigid manipulative self-righteous wench.. apparently he is working hard to get reinstated.

  he and his wife are going through divorce proceedings right now.. man, i wish i could talk to him.. ls

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  JW83

  I don't like the word frigid.
• 
  6

  Black/white thinking

  by JW83 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  does anyone else here tend to still think in black & white?

  i still find it hard to think in shades of grey.

  example: i'm tossing up at the moment doing a phd or a dip education (teaching) but the hardest thing is that i feel like i can't take a detour from my path (phd).

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  JW83

  
  Does anyone else here tend to still think in black & white? I still find it hard to think in shades of grey.

  Example: I'm tossing up at the moment doing a PhD or a Dip Education (teaching) but the hardest thing is that I feel like I can't take a detour from my path (PhD). The thought of a year travelling or even saving up to buy a house feels like wasted time to me, even though they are things I really want to do! I am sure this is a vestige of old dub thinking - you know, 'keeping your eyes on the prize'.

  I am thinking of doing a DipEd & travelling & working just to get this thinking out of my system!!!
• 
  62

  What smell takes you back to your dub days?

  by mtbatoon in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  old heated paint.

  let me explain.

  the old kh i went to would give off this strange smell of burnt paint ever time the central heating was put on.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  JW83

  I get deja vu sensations all the time, but I can't isolate a single smell or sight. It's funny, one moment I'm there living my life, the next I'm back in the old back room of the bookstudy I went to when I was 14 ...
• 
  34

  Chasing rainbows - how I got engaged in Paris

  by Abaddon in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i took kate, my girlfriend of between the last five and ten years (depending how you define girlfriend) to paris this weekend and proposed.

  i had a couple of scenarios mapped out, but was playing it by ear as to the right moment.. on saturday night when we sat down to eat at a restaurant the waiter asked me if i "had got engaged to the lady yet", and then said "if not, i will".

  i'm sure he does it to every foreign couple where the women isn't wearing a ring but i could not believe it that one .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  JW83

  Congratulations Abaddon!
• 
  27

  You had BETTER pioneer when you get out of high school

  by Bonnie_Clyde in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  we weren't at the circuit assembly this weekend but a friend told us the circuit overseer made this very strong comment.

  didn't even say anything about learning a trade.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  JW83

  It was very different here. I can't think of many at all who pioneered actually getting married. Maybe it is because Aussie dub guys are very laidback and don't really rate 'spirituality' as a marriagable asset! *ducks for cover from Aussie un-laidback guy*

  The most likely sisters to marry here: tradeswomen (I kid you not) and teenagers (under 18).

  A guy moved to our cong, he a recent convert, regular pioneer, ministerial servant, so all the cong & girls were just crazy about him. He ended up marrying a just-turned 18yo he'd known since she was about 12. We were all very disappointed ...

  I just realised that I can't think of a single marriage in my area that was stereotypical 'spiritual' guy & 'spiritual' girl! Maybe all the sisters here should move to the US!
• 
  27

  Does it bother you to realize that life is normal for those left behind?

  by free2beme in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  you know when you leave a religion or a place you worked at for a long time.

  you want to feel that perhaps there will be a missing irreplaceable piece, that represents the effort you put into the work.

  you know what i talking about, the comment at work of "this place would be lost without me" or in the religion "i am the main person who encourages field service around here.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  JW83

  It bothers me because I grew up in the same area & was a Witness here from ages 8-24. I really put my whole soul into the troof & the community and it makes me angry that people don't even care. I'm realising as I grow older that sometimes friends are just 'for a season', but it does lead to trust issues ... HOW CAN THEY GO ON WITHOUT ME?!
• 
  27

  You had BETTER pioneer when you get out of high school

  by Bonnie_Clyde in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  we weren't at the circuit assembly this weekend but a friend told us the circuit overseer made this very strong comment.

  didn't even say anything about learning a trade.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  JW83

  Blondie, that wasn't my experience at all. All of the sisters I knew that pioneered were genuine in wanting to do the right thing. Maybe it was just an Aussie phenomenon, but it was bloody hard work pioneering while only working part-time, and being single, maybe living in a share house with other pioneers. I can't recall any of those sisters marrying 'up' and I think it is a bit of an insult to say that they lived that way to find a mate! Most of my friends were intelligent and if they were going to be Witnesses, they would be damn good Witnesses! Fortunately a lot of them have now seen the error of their ways!

  fyi, I have completed my degree & am hopefully embarking on PhD next year. Definitely not a shallow bimbo on the hunt for a husband!