Posted by:
SusieQ#1
(
)
Date: September 12, 2013 11:38PM
Each person experiences a very unique process. That's my conclusion from reading a few hundred people's experiences.
Some can identify steps, some, not so much.
In my case, I was a convert as a young adult. That part of my life created a lot of who I was and still am.
Adapting to living Mormonism, raising a family, and some leaving, on their own, evolved into me leaving also. But not my believing husband with seven of generations of Mormonism in his DNA!
Initially, I found a way to handle most of my adjustment period, and that was with my usual sense of humor. I made the process fun, found other things to do, tried to inform my brilliant husband, but that was a colossal fail! His faith was based on his spiritual witness and nothing would ever change that. I understood that as I came from a long line of Christian ministers, and missionaries back to the Civil War. Their faith never changed either.
Initially, I enrolled in adult education classes at the local college, then started, with some other ladies, a Red Hat Chapter, and kept busy for a few years. I was too busy to miss church! And really loved what I was doing. I also had an opportunity to meet dozens of other people who were not LDS.
Our kids were pretty much out of the home, some married and some with children. I resigned officially about four years from the last time I attended, which was sporadic at that point because of some really ridiculous leaders. (another story for another time.)
I gave myself permission to never, ever lose my self respect, self confidence, or be a victim. I knew I was OK and was OK all along. I could change my mind and allow my new world view to evolve. And I did!
It was important not to look back, nor dwell on the negative as much as possible, that is. I was learning to think differently: I lived in the present, the now, and did not have to go into rehashing the past -- I didn't live there, anymore.
It was a little tenuous at first. Gradually, as I chatted, mostly on line, with others in what I referred to as The Exit Process from Mormonism, I found that I could go any direction I wanted with my thinking about anything and everything.
It has been a process, for sure. I have written extensively for years on that process; how I changed my mind and why, changing the automatic thinking scripts, including a treatise on how Mormonism functions, (from their own theology and beliefs) as a tribe.
Eventually, I have been settling on a kind of Eccentric Eclectic World View.
I have found great fun in writing several pieces of satire and parody,
I used the power of my mind, my thinking, to stay on a positive, forward tract, as much as possible. I learned that respecting and honoring others was a necessity, regardless of their religious beliefs.
I have become a strong supporter of full disclosure for informed choice and consent.
I stopped attending in 1998 completely, resigned in 2002, have only been back for my husband's funeral service January of this year.
I know that I am a composite of seven decades of my life and hope for many more!
I have found a way to simplify how I view the world and how I use some basic principles to bring me the greatest peace of mind and happiness.
Universal truths still work!
Here they are:
1. Love is something you do.
2. Forgive everyone, everything, every time.
3. Treat others as you want to be treated.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/12/2013 11:41PM by SusieQ#1.