# The Past

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Posted by ANDY [ANDY] on October 31, 1999 at 07:49:10 {MDPAlM8llYqTvkv3njLwxhvS/hG.LU}:

Fourteen years ago today I made a decesion in my life that would affect everything from that day on. Fourteen years ago today I poured out all the alcohol in my house, flushed the pot down the toilet, and started on my new life being clean and sober.

This was years before I started studying with the JW's. It was a choice I made all on my own to change the course of my life. I am happy to say that it worked.

A friend of mine talked me into going to AA meetings. At first I thought no way, I don't need that. After several weeks of sitting around the house slowly going nuts, I decided, what the heck, it can't hurt to try one of these meetings.

Well the rest is history. Being around others who had experienced the same things I was going through, helped me to get through some pretty rough times. Being able to talk out my problems with others helped in the recovery process. Just knowing that others were there when I needed them was a comfort in itself. These people cared, and asked nothing in return. It was one of the most wonderful experiences I have been through.

Years later when I left the JW's I needed that same support, but it wasn't there. I had no place to go. There were no meetings to go to to help me get over the problems that arose. For 2 years I tried to use the things I had learned in AA to help me cope with the problems that leaving had caused in my life.

Finally I decided to get with things and hooked up to the internet. I knew that there was tons of information to be found, but never realized how this would help me and my family. Finding boards like this helped me to establish the support system that had helped me in AA. The information from this board and others, helped my wife get through the denial she was going through about the society. It showed us that we were not alone. It was the best thing that could have happened to us.

Today my marriage is stronger, my family is stronger, and we have a life. The world didn't crumble because we left the organization. We didn't turn into evil, godless people. We have grown spirtitually by reading and studying the bible for ourselves. We understand that God didn't make all the rules and doctrines that the JW's follow. Men did that.

I want to thank those who make boards like this possible. I want to thank those who post here. You have been a blessing for all those who need the support you provide.

I wouldn't change the past. It has brought me to where I am today. As a JW I did learn about the bible. I met my wife. I had a family. All of which would never have happened if I changed the past.

It wasn't always easy. I had some rough times, and so did my family. We survived and our lives are better today because of it. Things do get better with time.

As I look back on these last 14 years I can be thankful for many things. Most of all I am thankful for my family. They mean everything to me. My kids are still young, so they havn't been hurt by the mistakes we made. They have never seen me drunk or stoned. They never will. There future is no longer controled by the GB in New York. They will be able to make choices on their own, not on what the society decides is best for them.

The past is behind us, and we can't change it. The future is ahead, and the choices we make will determine the direction it takes.

Well I have rambeled on enough.

Take care and have a wonderful day.

ANDY: who is also celebrating his daughters birthdays today.

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