Why did I stay?

Here at TOTJO we often consider why people leave us.. what they don't like about us, or perhaps if they're not ready, or maybe the training isn't for them and so on... but I don't know that we consider the opposite.

I just sat here thinking.. 'why have I stayed when so many others leave?'

So here's my question to you... why did you stay?

I promised.

Because you all are my family. That simple. I do not agree with many of the ideologies espoused here at the temple. But, I have often been told that "the door is open" for me to leave. The people are too important to me for ideas to get in the way.

There are several reasons why I stay.

1. The people here are great.
2. The training is awesome.
3. How many other places encourage you to be a better person just for the sake of being a better person? Not a lot in my experience. It's always like sales training where they want you to seem like a better person so that you can make them more money. Here there's no ulterior motive.
4. The people here are great. Did I say that twice? Good, because it's a big reason. I wouldn't stay if just the training was good. If I saw awesome training but no one really putting it to use then why would I stay or even believe in the training?

The people. Though so many are strangers, the people here are like a second family. We have our differences about so many things, but so what?

The wisdom. Though as Connor does, I do not agree with many of the ideas taught and enshrined here, this place has given me great strength and advanced my spiritual maturity.

The potential. We can be so much better than what we are (which is already extraordinary), and I think we will be. My hope has always been that my presence, in the end, furthers that cause even if it's just in a tiny way.

For now, it is a Calm part of the Community compared to other places I left. Perhaps one day that will change (this temple has changed several times before since my membership), and I will take my leave and return when it once again fit's my Journey. For now...It Fits.

I ask myself that all the time. :laugh: I'm addicted. :woohoo:

As it stands, I've learned more from my time here off and on the site than in contrast to the rest of the 43 years I've had the pleasure to be alive. I am proof that if given a chance, the training and interacting with the members here is effective at assisting an individual to evolve. Still have a ways to go, but I am getting there one day at a time...

For the friends I've made here, for the training I've received and will receive. I want to give back (through Apprentices and other works), and I believe this place has the full capabilities to grow.

ask myself that a lot.
Only answer I have is that it matters to me.
And yeah a little addicted to reading what others write.