(((Mom of 4))))
Congratulations on leaving and having such a group leave too! No wonder the WTBS doesn't want anyone talking about their doubts, lol!
I'm glad things are working out and you have such a wonderful family.
Warmly,
Pat
patio34
JoinedPosts by patio34
-
37
Long-time lurker introduction
by Momof4 ini wanted to say hello and introduce myself.
i am probably one of the longest lurkers here ever.
i've been lurking for almost three years now, and i enjoy reading a lot of the posts.
-
-
-
8
What makes u happy?
by patio34 inwhat are some of your favorite things/activities that make you feel content and happy?.
here's my list:free evenings and weekends!
having a lite beer every nite before bedgood books!
-
-
patio34
What are some of your favorite things/activities that make you feel content and happy?
Here's my list:
- Free evenings and weekends!
- Having a lite beer every nite before bed
- Good books! (Reading philosophical/psychology and starting Phillip Pullman's fantasy trilogy, His Dark Materials)
- Some mysticism (for an atheist, lol) such as crystals that shine rainbows every afternoon from the sun, reminds me of faeries flitting thru.
- Getting the house in better shape
- shopping for books or other things
- long walks
- Living alone
- Journaling
- Visiting JWD!
How about you?
Hugs,
Pat
-
-
-
patio34
This is very sobering indeed.
Thanks, Special K, for bringing this up again to commemorate the tragedy. When I was in NYC April '03, I visited the site.
Pat
-
38
When you read what else are you doing?
by Panda inok usually i'll be drinking iced tea when i read... sometime coffee if i read in the am.
i've tried reading while mr.panda is watching tv but that doesn't always work.
so what do you do while you read?
-
-
patio34
Me too---I always read a book in the tub and have some wavy ones that got some water on them.
But one thing I do that a few others do, but I often get comments from people, is read a novel while I walk. Especially on breaks at work do people know that I'll be reading. I started it as a reward for walking/exercising that I get to read.
If I ever trip and fall, I won't tell anyone I was reading a book too. But I've done it for at least 10 years and haven't fallen yet.
My all-time favorite for reading a good book is curled up on the sofa with hot coffee or hot chocolate, an afghan, and have it pouring down rain outside. One day I was home sick last winter and it was pouring rain and I spent the day reading. It was great.
Pat
-
14
Do You Have to be Happy?
by patio34 in"the greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.
" --wm.
saroyan, american writer about 1920.
-
-
patio34
Hi Gary! Thanks for what you said. I had just been thinking to look up the etymology of happy! You saved me the trouble and added extra depth to the discussion!
Happy is just a peak. I'd much rather be comfortable than happy. Happy comes from a word that means "happen". It's not a condition, it's an event. If happy was related to eating, it would mean full after a great meal. That is an event but not a condition.
Comfortable is a condition, warm, clean, fed, rested, basic human needs all met. I can live fine without being "happy". My life would suck if I can not live comfortable. ---GaryBussHi Bigboi! That's great how you and everybody has added to this. It helps to flesh it out with individual viewpoints and lives. It IS a burden to be chasing the high when it's not normal.
It's like, I think, chasing romance when it's just a part of love. Also, it's a burden to tell people who have a life-threatening disease that they must have a "positive attitude." That gives them another load to carry, if it doesn't come naturally! Believe me, I've lived thru that!
Love,
Pat
-
14
Do You Have to be Happy?
by patio34 in"the greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.
" --wm.
saroyan, american writer about 1920.
-
-
patio34
Thanks for all the good posts! There's a lot to think about, and I concur about contentment.
Dr. Wayne Dyer also says something like being unhappy for all the "suffering" isn't going to change one thing.
It IS so hot here today! 90 degrees plus!
Cheers!
Pat
-
4
disease and suffering
by Markfromcali inwe view our desire to get rid of disease as a desire to live.
but instead it is often just the opposite: it is an attempt to avoid life.
although we seemingly want to be alive, in fact we simply want to avoid intensity.
-
-
patio34
Right again, you young whippersnapper--how'd you get so wise for your years, lol?
Actually, this pain was worse a few years back and went completely away. It seems to get inflamed from time to time.
Cheers!
Pat
-
4
disease and suffering
by Markfromcali inwe view our desire to get rid of disease as a desire to live.
but instead it is often just the opposite: it is an attempt to avoid life.
although we seemingly want to be alive, in fact we simply want to avoid intensity.
-
-
patio34
Thanks for that Mark.
I've been trying to adjust to a new chronic pain and that's helpful. It's been occurring to me that I'm just going to have to live with it and your quotes help.
Warmly,
Pat
-
14
Do You Have to be Happy?
by patio34 in"the greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.
" --wm.
saroyan, american writer about 1920.
-
-
patio34
"The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness." --Wm. Saroyan, American writer about 1920.
That statement can give freedom and contentment by not trying to analyze why one is not "happy" at a particular moment. There is also freedom: one can go somewhere or do something without demanding it make give happy. Few things can measure up to this standard. Moreover, one is spared the disappointment and worry when not feeling happy. Does this mean one is unhappy? I don't think so. There's a lot of middle ground and a plethora of other emotions to feel. You can be neutral, which may lead to introspection and fresh ideas. Happiness is touted as a daily state by JWs ("true happiness"). Every day, every minute can change and emotions ebb and wane and are ever-changing. Is it realistic to expect to feel happy? Is it worth it? Things can be pleasant and enjoyable without making you happy. And it's okay to be UNhappy once in a while too, imo. By having unrealistic expectations, it can undermine a person to think something's wrong and needs to be fixed. We're human and maybe it's not normal nor required for us to be "happy." We can take care of requirements, but maybe happiness isn't one of them--at least not as a constant. After all, idiots can be happy all the time. Drunks can be very happy. And there's a difference between being cheerful and happy too. What do you think?
-
16
AWAKE! says JWs are "mentally ill" September 8,2004
by apocalypse inthat's right folks.
the awake september 8,2004 on page 21 has a box.
some warning signs of mental disorders
-
-
patio34
Maybe this is a case where they defuse the charge by bringing it up themselves and framing it in an acceptable way. Lawyers do that in court: bring up the negative first and putting a better spin on it. And the WTBS does have a considerable legal staff.