(((((((hillary)))))
Hope this finds you well! :>
I just spent 30 min on a post for this thread and 'blip' it zapped into cybespace somewhere lol. DOn't ya hate that when that happens.
I'll be brief this time.
In the beginning(now where have I read THAT before? heheheh) even tho working out issues related to cult recovery imagine my surprise and delight to find groups of people(exJW's) who were struggling with many of the same issues I was!
Many folks in the MH field aren't really knowledgable about the cult experience. I always felt some issues were not fully addressed,or understandable to others.
I found these people with a common background which gave an immediate sense of comaraderie.
From their experiences and knowledge,I learned about myself . "What happened'. Why did it happen.How did it happen?
This sent me running down the path of self exploration,new knowledge I never had or even thought of before.They had me running to libraries,universities other people. They understood where I was 'coming from' emotionally psychologically spiritually socially etc.
And in this shared communication,bonds of friendship and love were formed. Some that have transferred into real life.
I found empathy support data and a kick in the butt when I needed it. It's been quite the enlightening journey! I have many interests these days that have nothing to do w/ JW's.These are richer and healthier due to what I've learned and been given here.
I return to share time with the dear friends I have made. I also hope to give back,what was so freely given to me in the above aspects .
Some have become closer than most family.In essence are part of my new family I've chosen in life. It is not out of co-dependency as it was in the WTS. Those relationships were shallow and conditional. Not based on true acceptance of the individual.
No journey of learning and discvery ever end. As in my life out 'there',I continue to learn and grow from the many wonderful empathetic and brilliant folks here. I laugh with them. I cry with them. I get angry. In essence,I feel here,just as I do in real life.
ack,I ramble...
Hillary,I have a question,seems appropos in this thread.
When I see people who have left consider themselves in 'good standing' that to me simply means not DA or DF. I've been gone from the org. several years now.
But I dont think when one becomes inactive after a couple of years that 'good standing' still applies/ It didnt in my cong. Gs meant being active,reporting time etc. It was never applied to walkaways(such as myself) who left with no quarrrel or issues anyone knew about) .I know its another one of their labels but want to understand it better.
I saw some return after several years, and that was an immediate trip to the backroom.Where the elders could 'gauge' their spirituality and most times study again with these returning individuals.
Can you clarify this for me? Was it just my cong? Can anyome just walk back into a cong after afew years like nothing happened? With no study w/ the elders or one appointed by them? In my former cong. good standing meant someone attending mtgs,FS,etc. Those who left for long periods of time were considered spiritually 'weak' by their standards.We actually were warned a few times,to be cautious in association with those returning after long periods of time.I guess that was until the elders were sure of these people again.
See? I'm still learning as new questions continue to arise.
Thanks !luv,Tina
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