NOM

Kind of amazing to be free of unnecessary guilt for simple things like movies with a couple sex scenes or f-bombs, NFL Sundays, and asking questions about history.

Thinking of actually getting a taste for morning coffee when the mornings start turning chilly...

I know, right.

It's the simple things.

Comfy underwear
Going to store or lake on Sunday
Not stressing over planning a lesson
A few extra dollars in the bank account
Ordering whatever the hell you want on the dessert menu
Not stressing about forgetting to say grace before eating

Wearing just a t-shirt on a hot day.
Having a glass of wine or beer to relax after a long day.

Staying home without soul wrenching guilt on a Sunday when someone is sick.

Recently had 2 separate family members drag their children to church- one after having a seizure, the other after a serious sports injury to the face. WHY?

Asking yourself questions like:

Can the spaghetti monster really fly?

It's like you finally have agency to make decisions! There is so much less to feel guilty about when you no longer accept the story we were all told.

Had my first cup of coffee ever this morning. I wasn't expecting it to taste good, especially since it was McDonald's. It was more a need to say "I can do this without feeling guilt." Sitting in my car, feeling it in my hands, just letting the weight off. The feeling was what I once would have ascribed to the Spirit. Funny how that goes.

One thing I love about Taoism is truly healthy practices are integral with the philosophy. I used to say that prayer and scripture study were like the advice to eat right and exercise. Know what the eating right and exercising of Taoism are? Eating right and exercising!

I've taken a week off to put my son in school, take care of that business and relax. My ex was very into fast food and I just went along. Then we moved to Arizona where there were three places the kids could play in the summer. Home (or firends' homes, usually mine), the pool at the YMCA or McDonald's. My younger son particularly enjoys the SAD. I've gone off of Diet Coke probably 100 times. I do pretty well until we go for fast food. The only viable Mormon-friendly non-caloric beverage at most fast food places that isn't diet cola is water and water just doesn't go with burgers, pizza and tacos. I've gotten a salad and that's a better match, but I get sick of those salads, they aren't always that great and it begins to feel unfair when everyone around me is chowing down on delicious fatty fare and I'm stuck with rabbit food.

In the recent McDonald's analogy thread, it has really hit home to me how McDonald's is really designed for children and teenagers and the adults run it. I'd say the same is true of the church. So much of it keeps us not progressing beyond the teenaged years and that is evident even in the diet. Taoism's views on food aren't actually that different from Mormonism's, except that tea and Taoism are considered nearly interchangeable.

I came out as a non-believer at work, because I was tired of the side-eye I was getting when I drank tea. Think about it. I get disapproval for making healthy choices. Healthy dietary choices and emotionally healthy choices. What does that say about a religion?

So, this morning I ate a lovely mixture of whole cereals and fresh blueberries. I washed that down with some tea. For lunch I had a delicious Mediterranean bowl from a local restaurant called Aubergine & Co. I washed that down with some cucumber lemonade and later got a white tea. I'm going off Diet Coke another time. These past few days have been exhausting and with the chemicals and crap from the Diet Coke leaving my system, I'm expecting to be sleeping and getting a few headaches. I just woke up from the most delicious nap! It's been a long time since I've felt this good.

I recently read a Taoist musing that asked "What would it like if I simply committed to living what I believe?"

Well, I don't know quite know what it would look like, but I can tell you right out of the gate, it feels very healthy and good.

NOMelgänger wrote: ↑Fri Aug 18, 2017 9:41 am Had my first cup of coffee ever this morning. I wasn't expecting it to taste good, especially since it was McDonald's. It was more a need to say "I can do this without feeling guilt." Sitting in my car, feeling it in my hands, just letting the weight off. The feeling was what I once would have ascribed to the Spirit. Funny how that goes.

Good for you.

I just finished mine while sitting in a BYU auditorium. Somehow tasted even better.

NOMelgänger wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2017 6:57 pm Kind of amazing to be free of unnecessary guilt for simple things like movies with a couple sex scenes or f-bombs, NFL Sundays, and asking questions about history.

Thinking of actually getting a taste for morning coffee when the mornings start turning chilly...

I remember a seminary teacher saying it was easier to follow the teachings of the church than it is to sin and follow Satan. I suppose it depends what "sin" you committed and most definitely a statement that would be up for much debate. As a young impressionable teenager and wanting to please God I mustered up all the mental gymnastics I could and came to the conclusion over the years that "yes" it was easier to follow the guidelines of the church since it produced no guilt. Knowing what I know now I look back on those years and think what a lousy thing to teach a child and how confining that type of teaching is. So many of the "sins" in Mormonism are really not "sins" at all! Contrary to what I was taught and dedicated my life to for an embarrassing amount of time I am happier now that I am sinning. According to LDS tenants my wearing of the heathen underwear, sleeveless shirts, morning coffee, no longer praying or attending church, glass of wine, not paying tithing and lately more frequent drops of the F bomb should make feel horrible and ashamed but it doesn't.

Give It Time wrote: ↑Fri Aug 18, 2017 2:48 pm I recently read a Taoist musing that asked "What would it like if I simply committed to living what I believe?"

Well, I don't know quite know what it would look like, but I can tell you right out of the gate, it feels very healthy and good.

This! After the shelf fell I studied all sorts of religions and thoughts and what it boiled down is that I just live how I have always wanted to live. Some call it living the authentic life. Following what I feel is right is my guide and there I have found peace.

Mmm. Lists.

I'm heading toward a keto diet (high fat, moderate protein, very low carb). A friend took me to an In 'n Out Burger place. He said they had "protein style" hamburgers (no bread), but the only "safe" drink I saw was iced tea. (turned out to have zero carbs) I ordered it. My friend didn't even bat an eye (he hasn't been to church for a long time, though, so he may not be exactly tbm). I tasted it, drank it, had another one the next time we went. It felt weird to be doing it in front of him, but zero guilt.

My daughter insists that nicotine has some health benefits, wanted me to try e-cigs. I finally did. It about "killed" me (my lungs apparently don't like anything buy normal air), but there was no guilt for trying it.

Coffee, alcohol of various kinds, wearing clothing that is not garment-worthy (but still modest, yea "porn shoulders" are hardly porn at my age), wine for the sacrament, getting baptized as often as I want (both of the latter without anyone's permission). I'm sure the list could be longer.

And not one of these things is a real sin.

My perspective since being NOM has done a 180. When I was TBM, I considered the things listed on this thread sins and things like being kind, courteous, patient, humble as code--more like guidelines, anyway. Now that I'm NOM, I consider the things listed in this thread as code and the actual commandments are how we treat people. Guess what? The Savior agrees with me.

I can listen to any music I want! I run the 80s station constantly in my car and I'm always telling the kids "I couldn't listen to this song when I was a kid" and they are amazed. My son can't figure out why it took me so long to leave. Frankly I can't either. The brainwashing was strong.

I love Def Leppard.