Happy Freedom Day!

[tracilicious]

Exactly a year ago, I posted this.

It's hard for me to believe that just over a year ago, I was still somewhat firmly entrenched in what I now believe to be a very harmful cult. The past year has been tumultuous to say the least. It's been almost a year since I've spoken to my sister, whom I was close with. Same with my grandfather, but we weren't close. I haven't seen my father since just before xmas, but we maintain a casual relationship with infrequent phone calls in which he's sarcastic about me not being JW and I'm sarcastic about his cult involvement. My mom has been amazingly supportive, but honestly I'm a bit pissed that she remains involved in a religion that has been so harmful to so many of her offspring (and herself), but it really is a cult, and the mind control is powerful. Michael's parents finally found out a few months ago and haven't spoken to him since. I think they'll come around though.

Even though the loss of certain people because of something as stupid as religion was hard, it opened doors to connections with people that now feel closer to me than blood relatives ever did. It's an amazing thing to be able to accept people for who they are and be accepted in return. My mind is so much wider open than it was a year ago. Freedom of thought is truly a wonderful thing.

So here's to empowerment, a life without judgement, and the freedom to follow your own path. I need to find some sins to commit today.

[Disneyphile]

Happy Free Thought Birthday, Traci.

[katiesue]

Congratulations Traci!

[Morrigoon]

Happy rebirthday Traci!

[alphabassettgrrl]

So how is it, looking back after a year? What do you think?

[Snowflake]

A very merry un-birthday to you Traci!

May your freedom train roll long and far, no matter which direction life takes you.

[blueerica]

A merry un-birthday Traci.

I'm with AB, I'm curious about any reflections you may have made during that time. I've found that with major changes I've faced, once I've hit a dated milestone, reflection is imminent.

I'm happy that you've done what was right for you - it can be the hardest thing to do.

[€uroMeinke]

I love personal holidays like this - I happen to have a similar one coming up in two weeks. I definitely recommend celebrating in grand fashion.

[tracilicious]

Thanks you guys.

I think I would probably need pages to detail the reflections I've made. In a nutshell, my family's rejection allowed the fresh opening and subsequent healing of old emotional wounds, I gained a much greater sense of empowerment by choosing my own, very different from my then culture, path, I've learned to choose support that is authentic and has no alterior motive, and well, I'm pretty much a different person. Or, rather, I'm so much closer to the real me then the religion ever allowed me to be. There have been times that I would say that it was the worst year of my life, but in actuallity, I think it was the best.

The JW's strongly encourage that you associate only within the faith, so in the beginning we felt very isolated. But now that we've built a strong network of local friends we are feeling more a part of mainstream culture. Coming up on our second round of holidays...at least we know what stockings are for this time.

My current round of reflection is focused on cult psychology, and how people can believe so strongly in circular logic and never go looking for proof outside of the authorities. I find it to be a very interesting topic. I think it exists to a point in all religions, but the JW's indoctrinate so effectively and so thoroughly that they can change their mind about anything and nobody blinks twice. They are so loyal to their organization that family, friends, even spouses are easily dropped if they turn away. It's a bit creepy.

[Snowflake]

Well, bully for you Traci!

to everything you just said!