Hello Drifting Away~Welcome to our forum. Please remember this, the Organization thrives on fear--fear of losing your family and friends, fear of losing your life at Armageddon, fear of losing Jehovah's approval, fear of never doing enough.FEAR, FEAR, FEAR!!! Well, ENOUGH of the FEAR! We were not meant to live in fear nor were we meant to live a life without joy. The life JW's live is one of being an automaton, mind-controlled being told what to think, do, and how to act. Do you REALLY think that is a life of JOY? JOY is one of the FRUITS of the Holy Spirit...how many Witnesses do you observe truly living as one who has the Holy Spirit based on the FRUITS of their lives? Joy is missing from their lives as is LOVE! Is fear really worth living like that?
There are only two options with F.E.A.R.: 1. Forget Everything And Run, or 2. Face Everything And RISE!
Together, we can be the light helping others to see their way out of the darkness that surrounds those still in the organization who see no way out. I encourage you to continue your journey (as you feel comfortable) to reach out and with each step, it will become easier and easier to step into your power, taking back your life. I lost all my life-long friends and my family when I left the organization when I was df'd eight years ago. It has only been in the past year or so that I have fully been able to shake the effects of the mind control with the guilt, shame and fear so I know it is a process. But once I made my stand, allowed myself permission to get off the proverbial fence to take my power back and live MY LIFE, without being concerned with what THEY thought of me, I have truly felt free.I am speaking MY TRUTH. So while it does take time to totally break free for most of us, each step I took along the way, no matter how small, has lead to where I am today...know you are important, and your life is YOURS and you CAN have a relationship with Jesus, the Angels, and God if that is what you desire without being part of the Organization.
I share this not just for you but for everyone who is considering the first steps of mentally disentangling themselves from the bOrg...remember, the magic happens just outside your comfort zone. You must face your fears and decide if you want to spend the rest of your life living in that fear or outside of it...the choice is yours and we are here to support you in your journey.
All the best