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Getting On : Career
Is decent good enough? | from Fish - Sunday, March 20, 2005 accessed 2203 times Alright, well I’m lounging here in my decently nice apartment, drinking a decent amount of decently good bourbon, which I procured for a decent price. I’m thinking, is it just me, or is decent not good enough? Does anyone want more than simply a comfortable life? Everyone around me, my friends etc…, all they want is just to live comfortably. Me, I’m about as lazy and unambitious as they come, however, just existing is not enough for me. Perhaps I suffer from delusions of grandeur, but I feel I must do something big, I must find a way to make a difference. Perhaps this is simply another carryover from the cult. I don’t know. Nor does it really matter. When it comes to ex members there seems to be two types. There are the ones who leave and want to unwind and just live, and then there are the kind that want to DO something, anything. And I guess there is a third kind as well. People like me who want to do something, but are too fucking lazy to leave their comfort zones to do it. I once read that one can choose to live a life of doing or of being. I like the sound of that. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s a matter of choice. Some people, no matter how hard they try, can’t seem to get the hang of being. (or doing, for that matter) I know Ill never be happy just being, for several reasons. And when it comes down to it, I don’t really care if I end up happy or not, as long as I end up proud. I’ve been out for two years now, and I feel that I can no longer simply “decompress”. What I’d like to know is; how did all of you who are actually doing something decide what to do? I realize this sounds redundant, but I think it would take some heavy motivation to work your way thru uni etc… For me it has to be something more than just mere money. I have plenty now, and am already somewhat bored of materialism. Sure designer clothes and furniture are fun for a while, but then I start hearing Tyler Durdun telling me to blow it all away. I have no desire to be a slave to my lifestyle; I feel those that are miss the whole point of existence. Anyone who has thoughts along these lines, your input would me appreciated. Until then Ill be pouring myself another breaker full. (Anyone who hasn’t had buffalo trace bourbon ought to try it. Great stuff.) |
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Reader's comments on this article Add a new comment on this article | from celestej Monday, April 21, 2008 - 22:57 (Agree/Disagree?) I'm curious as to what exactly you are doing to get "plenty of money". You must be doing something, right? and of course as a human race we are all looking for a deeper meaning in life, only we having experienced life in it's most raw and brutal and twisted form happen to have a greater need and a sharper focus on that need. I also know ex-members who seem to be perfectly happy just existing, but I'm not one. Why am I on this website instead of out getting drunk with my friends like I should be? Or why am I not just content with the most lucritive job I can get? Because I'm looking for something that will tell me what my "greater purpose" is, because of course I must have one, nobody goes through all that shit for nothing, right? The only thing that has ever made me feel truly fulfilled so far is acting, I'm talking deep, soul-wrenching roles that let me fully express my emotions and it totally feels like therapy. That's why I live in Los Angeles. All I can say is find something you love, love, love. And I'm sure you'll be extraordinarily good at it. (reply to this comment)
| from celestej Monday, April 21, 2008 - 22:56 (Agree/Disagree?) I'm curious as to what exactly you are doing to get "plenty of money". You must be doing something, right? and of course as a human race we are all looking for a deeper meaning in life, only we having experienced life in it's most raw and brutal and twisted form happen to have a greater need and a sharper focus on that need. I also know ex-members who seem to be perfectly happy just existing, but I'm not one. Why am I on this website instead of out getting drunk with my friends like I should be? Or why am I not just content with the most lucritive job I can get? Because I'm looking for something that will tell me what my "greater purpose" is, because of course I must have one, nobody goes through all that shit for nothing, right? The only thing that has ever made me feel truly fulfilled so far is acting, I'm talking deep, soul-wrenching roles that let me fully express my emotions and it totally feels like therapy. That's why I live in Los Angeles. All I can say is find something you love, love, love. And I'm sure you'll be extraordinarily good at it. (reply to this comment)
| from conan Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 15:50 (Agree/Disagree?) While decent may not be good enough, it's a hell of a nice place to be (decency, I mean) after only a few years of a normal life. (reply to this comment)
| from FFGA Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 19:49 (Agree/Disagree?) I don't think you are lazy. But I do think you need to do a little soul-searching to find out what it is that your purpose is. When leaving the fam, I went through some roller-coasters of emotion and confusion. I had to sort out a great deal concerning the dogma of the cog. I found it easiest to bury it for a season, and focus on rebuilding my life. University was just a part of my healing. I think that ANY former cog/fam member has a tremendous advantage in college. I graduated with the highest GPA in my class, in nursing school. I attribute this to the vast amt. of training in memorization I had while in the fam. It may sound strange to have actually taken something from the fam that helped me. But, it's true. Use whatever skills you gained while in the fam. While in the fam I learned how to read people. Former cog/fam members make great sales people, if they can believe in what they are selling. I have a great life. Actually, I am now a hospice triage nurse, working from home. If I get calls, I work; If I don't, I still get paid. I could get very lazy living like this. But, now I'm looking into get my Masters, because I have the best job that would allow me to go to school and still earn a great income. Ex-fam members make great nurses. They tend to have great discernment skills and a strong work ethic, from all the pressure they endured in the fam. I know this may sound cavalier and perhaps a bit shallow. But, believe me, I have attributes that other nurses couldn't come close to acquiring, because of my past suffering. These are just a few thoughts. It may not help you. But, I do want you to know that the struggle you are going through is typical of those who have left. All the best to you. Deb DebR715@aol.com (reply to this comment)
| | | | | From frmrjoyish Thursday, March 24, 2005, 06:35 (Agree/Disagree?) I beg to differ that any FGA/SGA from TF "has a tremendous advantage in college". That may be true for majors such as philosphy, english, sociology, or other such pseudo-academic disciplines. For myself, I saw no such advantage when it came time for me to take advanced levels of biology, statistics, calculus, physics, and organic chemistry as an undergraduate. While I do not share the hostility that some of us feel towards FGA's, I resent being told by one of them that my lack of a childhood education gave me some sort of "tremendous advantage" in college. It did just the opposite. Believing that may be what lets you sleep at night but I can assure it is not even close to being true. I'm proud to say I did it and I did well, but it is in no way due to any sort of preparation I recieved during my childhood. When reliving my struggles and the feelings of hopeless inadequacy I had to deal with while spending countless hours pulling my hair out over calculus or organic chemistry, it is extremely insulting for someone of your generation to have the audacity to make such a claim.(reply to this comment) |
| | | | From GoldenMic Thursday, March 24, 2005, 13:45 (Agree/Disagree?) I think that a better word might be non-scientific rather than pseudo-academic. I am finishing my Ph. D. in Depth Psychology, have an MA in Sociology and a minor in Philosophy, and a BSW, all "soft" sciences. For me, this means that these are academic subjects that are less bound by the scientific method and the rules of pure logic, since they involve human behavior and are currently based on principles other than quantification and scientific methodolgy. I guess what I am trying to say is that its no insult to acknowledge that the liberal arts and so-called human sciences are, in fact, as much art as they are science, so they call for a different set of skills. In that sense, I heartily agree that a cult (non) education, with its poor acdemic rigor, constant thought-stopping, poor logic, and woefully inadequate critical thinking potential, makes it particularly hard to engage in the "hard" sciences.(reply to this comment) |
| | From Regi Thursday, March 24, 2005, 08:01 (Agree/Disagree?) I don’t know where you’re coming from frmrjoyish, but the liberal arts and social sciences are not “pseudo-academic disciplines.” The whole purpose of a liberal arts education is to teach people to think critically and logically, and it is the oldest and most traditional form of education you can pursue. With respect to the social sciences (such as sociology), quantititative skills are an essential part of the discipline. I am in a graduate level political science course right now and the statistical methodology we are using is extremely advanced and cutting edge. I have had several statistics and econometrics courses, and this "liberal arts" course is the most difficult so far. Once again, I am at a significant disadvantage because of my background. The other students are much more at ease with calculus and matrix algebra, and I struggle to keep up.(reply to this comment) |
| | From frmrjoyish Thursday, March 24, 2005, 13:33 (Agree/Disagree?) I do agree that we are all at a significant disadvantage due to our lack of education. However, I have taken undergraduate liberal arts courses and I have taken undergraduate science courses. There is no comparison to the level of difficulty that distinguished the two. I'm not at all trying to belittle your accomplishments. I think whatever path you choose is great. I have great respect for anyone pursuing a higher education. But the fact is that any way you wanna look at it, biology, calculus, physics, and chemistry are far more difficult and intellectually demanding than a philosohpy, sociology, or esp. a political science course any day. My comment wasn't intented to offend (although I did expect some sort of reaction from the liberal arts students among us) but I was just pissed off by an FGA having the nerve to suggest that TF prepared us in anyway for a higher education. (reply to this comment) |
| | | | | | From Marc Thursday, March 24, 2005, 09:48 (Agree/Disagree?) Regi: Are you saying that, as a political science major/graduate student, you are required to take courses in calculus and "matrix algebra" (more properly called 'linear algebra')? One of my sisters was a political science major (she has since graduated), she was never required to take any advance math. From the single political science course I took as an undergraduate, I do not understand how you would use anything beyond simple differential calculus (maybe integral calculus). Why on earth would you use linear algebra in a Liberal Arts discipline? Are you quantifying vast amounts of data and trying to find relationships, etc.? I know little about graduate work in political science and I had no idea they required advanced math ("advanced" for Liberal Arts students). I do share a bit of fmrjoyish's feelings regarding some of the Liberal Arts fields. It is difficult to empathise when you are cramming for an exam in biophyiscs, physical chemistry, or advanced calculus and your Liberal Arts friend is on his or her way to the pub. Of course, you will join this friend immediately after the exam . . . but anyway. As you know, Science students are also required to take Liberal Arts classes. These classes were nothing more than an automatic 'A' with very little effort on my part (considering only the grades aspect; I learned quite a lot). I even took 300- and 400-level courses (junior- and senior-level) to get a more in depth perspective on some of the issues in history, writing, political science (only one course at 300-level), philosophy, and even sociology. Finally, nothing in my childhood prepared me for the endless, sleepless nights of studying for most of my Science coursework. I was always at a distinct disadvantage to the other Science students. Even though I was almost always at the top of my class, I understood I was only there because I had worked that much harder than the rest to get there. All power and glory to me . . . not that silly group! LOL!(reply to this comment) |
| | From Regi Thursday, March 24, 2005, 12:33 (Agree/Disagree?) Marc, I only have a minute but here are two quick comments: (1) Personally, I need a solid grounding in research methods for my professional and academic goals. I am not in the political science department, but at least some math methods classes are required for their PhD students (I don’t think they introduce the quantitative aspect at the undergraduate level). It’s been interesting to learn about the application of econometric techniques to political analysis. Read some articles in policy and political science journals if you’re interested in seeing how they are used. (Btw, I was talking about a statistics class, so I can refer to “matrix algebra” as such – thanks for the "correction." I definitely would be a lot better off if I had taken an undergrad linalg class). (2) Everyone has different abilities and preferences. Some people prefer to cram for a bio chemistry exam than write a 30 page critical analysis of European Modernism. More often than not, the “science guy” would fail his English lit test, because he is not inclined toward the liberal arts. You just happen to be good at both!! …Gotta run(reply to this comment) |
| | From Marc Thursday, March 24, 2005, 18:35 (Agree/Disagree?) Regi: Statistics doesn't have its own version of linear algebra called "matrix algebra". I have had plenty of statistics and we _use_ a lot of matrices by applying the rules of linear algebra. "Matrix algebra" is a sub-set of linear algebra. It is not distinct from it in any way. It only has the 'algebra' part because you use variables. There is, however, subjects _within_ linear algebra called Matrix Theory, Matrix Decomposition, etc. etc. The proper term remains, in whichever field you are in, linear algebra. So there! Humph! LOL! PS: This is all just a bit of fun because I am bored and the liquor shops have already closed (Read: No alcohol for me tonight . . . a rare occasion).(reply to this comment) |
| | | | From Joe H Thursday, March 24, 2005, 10:12 (Agree/Disagree?) But, Marc, are you saying frantically memorizing your chapter or paragraph 20 minutes before movie night didn't prepare you for studying for final exams? I mean, just because it didn't help those of us who remembered after reading it threee times 2 weeks before movie night doesn't mean no dullards gained some mad memorization skillz! Give some props to the Family, yo!(reply to this comment) |
| | From celestej Monday, April 21, 2008, 23:26 (Agree/Disagree?) Joe, no props to the family whatsoever. You should rephrase that. Mercifully we left with a set of skills that are a direct byproduct of severe child abuse, including being forced to memorize scripture. If props should go to anyone it should be to fate or whichever lucky star or god you fancy that we were unwittingly given an advantage in the areas of memorization and cognitive thinking, which does not begin to make up for the severe lack of any other kind of advantage in academics or in life.(reply to this comment) |
| | | | | | From Sonderval Thursday, March 24, 2005, 11:54 (Agree/Disagree?) hah, I can just see Joe H typing grammar corrections on movingon while having sex. "Wait a minute, ungh ungh, someone is ending a sentence with a preposition, pant thrust, must correct grammar, yeah baby you like that, clatter clatter clatter, this is so hot".(reply to this comment) |
| | | | From SPIKE Wednesday, March 23, 2005, 11:13 (Agree/Disagree?) Is rebuidling your own fucked up life all that you have done? What else have you done to compensate for the damage you caused as part of a collective? Possibly the worst line you could post on movingOn is, "You need to do some soul searching". I've had to listen to that since my childhood, when you say it here I want to leave. But guess what? I was born in the Family, unfortunately, and you were not. So fuck off!(reply to this comment) |
| | | | From roughneck Wednesday, March 23, 2005, 10:57 (Agree/Disagree?) Hi there Deb, Glad to hear you've got a great life now that you've left TF. I'm happy for you, really I am. However! The reason your advice is going to be less than welcome on this site is as follows: Bad FGA experiences in the cult (and any resulting post-cult trauma) were products of **your own choices**. If your life sucked in the cult, it's because *you* chose to be there, after knowing, understanding and consciously rejecting what 'system' life was all about. On the other hand, us SGAs who had a miserable life in TF (ie, almost all of us on this site), had it due to the pretty screwed up choices that you and your fellow 'one wives' made on our collective behalf as 'knew disciples'. Therefore it isn't at all unreasonable of us to disregard any 'advice' you care to share, as we've all seen first hand the consequences of your firmly held opinions du jour. Of course, I'm using the terms 'you' and 'your' here in their most general sense to include all former and current FGA members, of course. I'm honestly trying not to be an ass here, as I realise that your comment wasn't intended to 'preach' at us. I just think that FGA post-cult life experiences aren't terribly relevant to us SGAs, particularly in light of the fact that people your age intentionally kept people my age from being able to leave the cult on the same terms that you did. I would also disagree that you can arbitrarily compartmentalise all former members of the Family in the way that you have done. I, for example, sincerely suck at sales (heck even in TF I sucked), and the notion of caring for strangers who are leaking bodily fluids has just as little appeal. Also, not all former members have strong 'discernment' skills or necessarily any work ethic to speak of. And even if some of us SGAs did pick up some useful skills in The Family, we are NOT better vessels for having been broken in the hands of the potter (so to speak). In short, any good that the Family may have 'done' for us SGAs is massively overshadowed by the very real and lasting harm that has come to many if not all of us. In conclusion, I wish more FGAs would reflect on their own complicity in the harm that has befallen many of us SGAs before trying to offer advice and 'counsel'. As the saying goes: 'qui tacet consentire videtur' (He who is silent gives consent).-If you chose to realign your notions of right and wrong to conform to David Berg's so that the routine abuse of children was fine as long as you 'loved' them, then YOU WERE COMPLICIT IN OUR ABUSE! Get it through your heads, *this* is why many of us don't want to listen to your opinions. Yeah I realise that it is terribly arbitrary and maybe even a bit fucked up, but that's the way it is.(reply to this comment) |
| | From conan Wednesday, March 23, 2005, 10:08 (Agree/Disagree?) Thank you so much for that insightful look into your charming life....NOT!! You're saying that ex-members make great sales people and nurses?? Come on!! Think maybe you could broaden your fucking horizon?? Oh wait, you can't! You're an FGA. Christ you’re obtuse. So it’s either nursing or sales?? That’s your idea of a successful ex-member?? Why are you on our site?? Do you know you’re not welcome? Kindly fuck off and keep your shepherding to yourself.(reply to this comment) |
| | from Baxter Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 01:41 (Agree/Disagree?) Basically, do what the fuck YOU want to do. University is nowhere near as good as it's cracked up to be, at least so far. It sums up to a great big mass of 18+ yr old middle-class mongs getting drunk for the first time, thinking they discovering life. It's a pile of megalithic self-perpetuating bullshit, and I hate it. But in the end it's all for a piece of paper that gets my foot in the door. And yes, your knowledge increases. In the meantime, I think I'm gonna do what the fuck I wanna do. there's a lovely big clock tower here, and in a few minutes I'm gonna climb it and start wasting these fuckers with a bren-gun and some grenades! Oh yeah, that wasn't me, that was just the end-scene from 'if'! Damn! Must wake up and seek therapy! Point is, there is only disillusionment to be had from following the advice of other people in regards to finding meaning to your future. The biggest liars are always they who are ultimatley most disappointed - if you don't believe me, talk to any one of the academics around here: what a bunch of sorry shells. No one endeavour or combination of endeavours will ammount to a sure life-changing process. These things happen by accident. The idea of planning your fate is one of the sickest I've ever heard, but that's what academia is all about, whether they admit it or not. Get a degree, get pithy recognition, get a decent salary- FUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKK OOOOOOOOOOFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!! Find yourself, get a social life, make life-long friends, be part of something!! Makes me want to puke. (reply to this comment)
| | | | | | | | | from Joe H Monday, March 21, 2005 - 22:05 (Agree/Disagree?) There's a lot more benefits from education than just money. College is fun, the girls are easy, and fuck, you enhance your knowledge. Plus, you can study abroad while studying several broads, like I did. But most of all, it will validate that inherent belief that you're better than other people. Can you put a price on that? I don't think so. There's also a lot more benefits from money than just having nice things. Travel, convenience, security, respect, better social opportunities, women, and once again, the ability to feel better than other people. So, what are you waiting for? Get off your lazy, unambitious ass and start making something of yourself! (reply to this comment)
| from Cosmicblip Monday, March 21, 2005 - 21:15 (Agree/Disagree?) I sometimes wonder if the reason for this need to DO SOMETHING comes from being told all our lives that we were going to change the world. But then again, I had delusions of grandeur even before I knew I was in a cult. I have not been too terribly successful. I get by. I make the average income for my age bracket. I pay rent, have a car & go to school. But I’m not where a lot of people here are, or where they would like me to believe they are. For me money has been, & still is, an issue that drives me. But more than making money, I want to do something that I find unendingly interesting. I want to do something that I don’t dread waking up to in the morning; I want to do something that I’m not thrilled to leave when the day is over. I got over the whole “I want to make the world a better place” thing. Now I’m only interested in making my life the best life that it can be—fuck the world. But still, I want to do something great—at least in my eyes—but I don’t know what it is yet. (reply to this comment)
| From GoldenMic Thursday, March 24, 2005, 14:01 (Agree/Disagree?) I really agree with your initial point. As a result of being raised to believe that my whole life was headed towards "our special purpose", I have never fully been able to let that go. So, I have become a counselor and I spend way too much time trying to help cult victims heal. This is probably pretty good for all those that I help, but it also keeps me locked into a feedback loop where I still spend too much time defining myself by how well I "serve". I know that others have been able to let go of that meglomaniacle sense of "special purpose", and some others have even learned to become mirror-opposites of what the cult tried to create, but that pisses me off too, since becoming a self-serving hedonist just to defy my cult past STILL means I am living my life reacting to my past. Right now, I am trying to live with my disturbing need to "help others" by at least doing it ethically and well, and also trying to become more focussed on my own needs. This is just me reacting; not trying to advise, but trying to understand myself.(reply to this comment) |
| | | | From GoldenMic Thursday, March 24, 2005, 16:33 (Agree/Disagree?) As mentioned elsewhere, I am an SGA. My mother was the cult leader's first convert, and I was raised to be the example and the future prophet... a mini-version of the Davidito horror story. I left the cult in 1989, suicidally depressed and rebelling against the idea that my two young children would be subjected to the life I had lived, and I have been out for about 15-16 years. (reply to this comment) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | from I know what you mean Monday, March 21, 2005 - 19:03 (Agree/Disagree?) Since leaving the cult my life has been a journey of self discovery. I know it sounds cheesy but it’s true. Soon after leaving, all I could think about was how to get my feet on the ground--in other words, to make money. For many people I know, it led us to choose money-oriented careers in business, software engineering, and even law. I did well on this track until I realized that I am simply not motivated by money. I am the type of person who feels a compulsion to do something meaningful and worthwhile with my life. I want to do something that counts! I don’t think it has anything to do with cult because I don’t think having ppoeple repeat a prayer after me day in and day out is worthwhile existence. I think it has to do with my personality and what I am cut out to do. I am now well on my way to pursuing a career that is public service-oriented, and hopefully I will find a job that I will just love waking up for each morning. (reply to this comment)
| From conan Wednesday, March 23, 2005, 10:15 (Agree/Disagree?) Nice sappy drivel! Save us the emotional diarrhea and go do whatever fucking thing it is that you do for money. Fuck, I don’t want to help underprivileged people ever again as long as I live. I did that for 17 years as a member of a ‘missionary’ cult. I figure I’ve done enough ‘good’ for others to last my conscience for the rest of my physical existence on this planet. It’s all about me and has been since I left four years ago. Not that I don’t want my friends and family to do well, but fuck the rest of the world!!(reply to this comment) |
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