waterbuffalo

Great topic! Actually, my initial response was going to be "you don't want to know." But, after reading about your friend's desk, my reconsidered reply is " pretty clean and organized, " lol!!!

Happy 64 to you, Bro!

Thanks again everyone. We went to a seafood restaurant and they actually had flourless chocolate cake--my favorite! Yum. Hugs and kisses to everyone! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo WB

Happy belated birthday to you, Belle. I hope it was a great one!

Aw, thanks everyone! I had a great birthday. Thanks so much for all the good wishes. What is that satchel, Belle???? Made outta buffalo hide? LOL!!!

Sirguessalot, Hi. Interesting post. I'm reading the first book you recommended in chat. It's good. The one I had read was Keating's Intimacy with God about contemplative meditation. Thanks for the recommendation! Have you read Radical Acceptance? If so, do you recommend it?

I liked her a lot, also, and admired that she kept on keepin' on in spite of her difficulties. Her life has painted lessons for me and countless others, I imagine.

Hey penguin. Sounds fun! I truly hope you have a fantastic time. I think Ex10 has vacationed there more than once, if memory serves...maybe ask her for details, suggestions if you're so inclined :-)

It's the lobster analogy, outfield. They didn't hit you over the head and say "obey." It happened gradually until you were sucked in.

Not trying to scare you or anything, but it wouldn't hurt to update your resume and look around. Even if it's to transfer to another dept. and stay with that company (if it's a pretty large one). Her comments sound pretty calculated to me--not scatterbrained or inadvertent.

That's my impression, Chas. And, she has a bad case of it, imo. I would definitely cover my buttocks in this situation...

Chas, I empathize with you. Her problem doesn't sound like p/a to me. Here's an idea that might help your sanity, Chas, and a way to cover your butt. Why not make a list of everything she could possibly want at a meeting--general categories only--then everytime she does a meeting and asks only for one thing, you could email her that you've taken care of that one thing whatever it is and then copy and paste your list and ask her if she needs you to take care of anything else in any of those categories or possibly something not listed. Be very sweet/professional/ matter of fact about it. After a while, she'll catch on because now you will have proof that she didn't ask for anything else and she'll have to move on to another way to antagonize you (probably just as crazy). She sounds like someone I used to work with.

Pond, I love your description of your window boxes/flowers and cat. That sounds pristine, serene. Geo, it'll come to you. It will. Give it some time. One thing I know you love is to make people laugh--and you're good at it! I love: getting away for 2 or 3 days in a different town going out in a boat in warm weather blueberry zonker breakfast on the veranda my backyard reading a good mindless book scallops/other seafood sautéed in butter cooking for good friends

Some of my favorites are The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck, Me and My Big Mouth by Joyce Meyer (or any of hers--I love Beauty from Ashes, too), I Give You Authority by Charles Kraft, gosh there are so many, and Walter the Farting Dog (sorry, couldn't resist, lol).

only a cyber person? (((((pond)))))

What Groucho said....

Is that a rhetorical question, lol????

Well put, Groucho! And, as someone else said, the only people who would even know about these books are either already brainwashed or people who would want to study wierwille's "doctrine" such as deprogrammers, etc. And, as Act2 said, they'll listen to reason when they're ready and not before (I'm paraphrasing here, lol).

Cindi, I tried to reply to your pm but it wouldn't go through. You pms may be blocked. Check your email. I'll email you.

Well, good, Larry, because it sort of sounded like you did. You know, I've said some things on this board that have had a cutting edge to them after I went back and thought about it--just because I got caught up in the conversation and it seemed like the perfect answer at the time so I have some penace to do in this area, myself (your monk outfit reminded me of that). Now, I try to think of how I would speak to someone if he or she were in my living room and I find I no longer have that temptation to speak off the cuff. Act2, you are certainly welcome, sweetie!

Hey, Cindi! How are you? PM me and let's chat....

Skyrider, what is your answer to who bewitched us? I'm sorry, I didn't know if you had a definitive answer. Is it the list? I didn't see a person listed per se. Maybe there isn't just one. Anyhoo, love your list, skyrider. T-Bone asked the same question on another thread and it seemed to belong better over here: T-Bone and others asked why we kept taking it for so long. The thing that keeps coming to mind is the lobster analogy. When they're cooking lobster, don't they start out with it in cold water (let's call this the acceptance phase or unconditional love phase with your new spiritual family)? Then, it gradually gets warm (maybe this could be the noticing inconsistencies between what is taught and practiced phase). Finally, it gets hotter and hotter and it's too late for the lobster to get out (the how did I get here and I'm very uncomfortable staying but "can't" leave phase). That's pretty much when we look back and say we were brainwashed to have ever gotten to that point. It's all so clear when we begin to compare notes here and with others. That's my version of the lobster analogy. Someone else could probably do it justice, but you get the idea, lol.

Larry, how is it your business what she does with her property. If she sells it, that's her business, isn't it, as well as what she does with the proceeds. Not intending to hurt your feelings or anything but you're sounding a bit harsh in your comments to Act2. Actually, to dear, wonderful one-of the-most-remarkable-people-in-the-history-of-humanity, Act2. If I may say so, you sound more like you're the one on a mission to discredit her ideas and intentions. I think she has every right to do as she sees fit with her belongings and does not have to answer to you or anyone else about it.

Yes, I hear ya Act2. If we had only KNOWN the depth of the depravity...we wouldn't have been there in the first place. Most of us were there because we wanted to become better, more godly people. I've always believed that the way pulled some of the best and the brightest young people in our country.

I've enjoyed reading this Another Spot and everyone. What great posts! T-Bone and others asked why we kept taking it for so long. The thing that keeps coming to mind is the lobster analogy. When they're cooking lobster, don't they start out with it in cold water (let's call this the acceptance phase or unconditional love phase with your new spiritual family)? Then, it gradually gets warm (maybe this could be the noticing inconsistencies between what is taught and practiced phase). Finally, it gets hotter and hotter and it's too late for the lobster to get out (the how did I get here and I'm very uncomfortable staying but "can't" leave phase). That's pretty much when we look back and say we were brainwashed to have ever gotten to that point. It's all so clear when we begin to compare notes here and with others. I like the lobster analogy because the sp. abuse was such a gradual process. Several people who are much better writers have mentioned it here and on waydale, I believe, but that's my version of it. Anyway, thanks. You guys are great at expressing yourselves and it all makes sense.