Taking Life Too Seriously

by joelbear 10 Replies latest jw friends

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  joelbear

  I've been thinking a lot this week about what has gotten my brain into the mess that it is in. Yes, chemistry plays a part, but I think thoughts affect brain chemistry as much as brain chemistry affects thoughts (especially over a long period of time). I know that one thing for sure is true, I take life and all the bits and pieces of it way too seriously, allowing my emotions to be swung on a much greater arc that I should.

  But just think about witness childhoods. Birthdays were days for murder. Everything is pagan. Saturday mornings were for going out and saving people from destruction. I mean sheesh. We didn't have a chance to go up carefree.

  I think part of my personal recovery has to be chilling out and not worrying so much about every detail of my life.
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  acsot

  good advice to yourself, joelbear. Do some fun things; do you have nieces or nephews or a friend's kids you can invite out to an amusement park, silly movie, etc.? You're never too old to be a kid!
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  luna2

  I'm glad you are sounding happier, joelbear!

  Yes, learning to find joy is a big reason I walked away from the KH when I did. I couldn't stand being so depressed, unhappy and guilty all the damn time.
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  AuldSoul

  (((joelbear))), man my heart aches for you. I have been learning how to have fun, too. For the last two years I have been shedding my indoctrination and I expect it will be a few more before I'll be free of it.

  If you ever need to chat or whatever, let me know.

  AuldSoul
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  crazycate

  I'm trying to find a way to deal with my issues as well. Depression, anxiety, negative thoughts. How much is a result of being raised the way I was...and how much is biological? Nuture versus nature? All I know for sure is..where there is life, there is hope. Give up and the darkness wins. Hang in there. Your input is important.

  Cate
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  Super_Becka

  Lots of good advice for yourself, joelbear. Nobody should take themselves too seriously, life's no fun that way!!

  And I definitely recommend doing something fun with some kids, nieces and nephews or whatever, go to the zoo, go to the park, ride bicycles, fly a kite, if it's snowy where you live, then build a snowman. Anything fun that's generally reserved for kids. Remember, you can be child-like without being childish. You're never too old to be a kid sometimes!!

  Have fun!!

  -Becka :)
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  freedomlover

  Yes! joelbear...... isn't it cool when we as ex JW"S can learn this? it's also a learning process for me...

  the other day, me and my kids went to the park and I just ran around and had a good old time with them. we had a swinging contest and I got the highest so I won!

  it was a blast.......doing nothing important except what REALLY matters. having fun.

  btw - loved your pottery. I would like to try pottery as one of my next art mediums.
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  TopHat

  This thread made me think wayyyyy back......Lightbulb!!!!.....My husband never took me out to dance or have a good time untill I became a JW....He never was excited about Xmas until I became a JW....now that I am no longer a JW....he has not sent out one Xmas card this year. Nor has he put up a tree. I can't figure that one out!
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  jstalin

  From a favorite song of mine:

  I don't remember where I was

  I realized that life is a game

  The more seriously I took things

  The harder the rules became
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  AlmostAtheist

  Sometimes I sit and revel in the fact that I'm free to do as I please. I wrap myself up in that thought like a comforter and just feel its warmth penetrate me. Freedom, sweet freedom. Drink it in, Joel. Or just relax, and feel it washing over you.

  Glad you're getting yer chill on. :-)

  Dave