For me Im thankful for the almighty GOOGLE that has changed my life from a blind TBM to now a happy and free pperson. Im also thankful to know that religion is nothing but a man made corrupt organization.

Every day I bask in my simple but profound blessings! And I no longer need to feel obligated to feel grateful for the scriptures, the church, etc. Like you I am grateful for the limitless information on the internet that is bringing truth (and weirdness but we'll work through it) to the world.

So many things, but I am grateful that I left the church while young, thereby avoiding decades of tithing, mental gymnastics, control, etc. and that my children did not have to experience growing up in TSCC. I am so very grateful that I have a world of ideas and possibilities that I can and do explore! I can read anything, watch anything, etc. I've studied the major philosophers and scientists. Ive dabbled in Hinduism, Buddhism, atheism, and mysticism. I've experienced hallucinogenics (LSD, not LDS ;D), and transcendental meditation. I've studied and visited many diverse cultures. And I'm grateful for the simplicity of a cool breeze on a warm day, the hummingbirds who feed in the morning, and for this place, where a group of people can have a place were we know we are not alone. It's been an amazing adventure all these years! Life is good!

Life is more simple now. No more lessons, meetings, programs, endless busy church things to think about or do. It's like a 100lb. pack has been taken off my back.

I also no longer wonder if someone is watching me. I always had that feeling when I was mormon. I'm talking about people at church. The endless nosy busy bodies looking for gossip. I could care less what they see or know about me. I don't feel like my home is being constantly invaded anymore.

It's all very freeing. All those years of worrying about something that wasn't even real. Such a waste. I'm thankful that I was able to get rid of it, and to bring my kids out of it with me.

I'm thankful I don't have to try to be perfect.
I'm thankful I never went to the temple. I'm thankful I found other translations of the Bible that are easier to read.

I am thankful to have been raised by wonderful parents, who although they were TBM, never forced me to do anything MORG related I didn't want to, that I found a wonderful Catholic girl to fall in love with and marry, and that I have great kids and grandkids, and that, through exmormon.org, I found out I could leave Mormonism behind for good.

Ron Burr

I've had time especially lately, to reflect upon the subject of what I am thankful and grateful for, often sharing my thoughts on FB also.

I have had a very long life with a grateful/thankful list that is extensive.

I've learned the value of being thankful for my upbringing, those that contributed to my inner core values even though my childhood was a mixture of relatives: parent, grandparents, uncle, aunt, step fathers, etc.

Those values, some learned from The Optimist Creed given to me as a teenager, and other concepts, cemented the kinds of thinking patterns that have stayed with me my whole life. I am grateful for a sense of humor, and a positive attitude.

Specifically, in relation to the LDS Church: I am very grateful for the experiences and the opportunities to expand my talents and skills and learn new ones. And for my family. I can't begin to count the list of gratitude, I have for all of them. Those decades were fraught with a multitude of trials and difficulties that I often refer to as: "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly."

When I determined I wanted to change my mind about my beliefs, and leave the LDS Church, walking that very difficult journey, I am grateful for a family that has been predominately supportive, (most of which have left also), even a husband of over 50 years that negotiated our truce to "agree to disagree", remaining a believer to his recent death.

Today, I live alone. It is a very different life as a single female and widow. All of my life's experiences, have in some way, prepared me for these times, although I didn't know it at the time. I am cognizant of how all of my life's experiences have contributed to who I am and how I manage my life. It is probably the most relaxing, peaceful time of my life. I am the director of every day and I enjoy all of it's freedoms.

While I struggle with some health issues, I am thankful that I am able to do almost everything I desire to do.

Each day I can easily find something to be thankful for and that gratitude list keeps growing. I'm a strong supporter of thinking in terms of that which we are thankful for, and having an attitude of gratitude.

If I could bottle it, I'd sell it and be a billionaire! :-)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/22/2013 10:56PM by SusieQ#1.

Thankful to real people, not gods. My parents, for example. They weren't "Good Mormons." But they were exemplary people!

A lot of the non-human good things I have are just luck. I'm not thankful for those, I just feel fortunate.

I'm (really and truly) thankful for SP Asshat. He was the catalyst for this journey that I've taken. Without him, I might still be stacking things on my shelf and snacking on the blue pill. He handed me a red one without realizing what he was doing. I honestly think he thought I had already taken a red one.

Now I'm here and I wouldn't go back, even if I could.