What Does ESMB Mean to You?

[RogerB]

Since ESMB is approaching 1,000 days, I was caused to wonder what ESMB means/represents to each of you.

For me, it has been a wondrous thing to see the healing that has occurred for many and, on another count, to see the truth being outed so folks can get on with life in a more optimum manner.

But, each of us being the individuals we are, what have you benefited from on ESMB, what's it mean/represent to you?

I ask the question because it would also be a correct gesture to our Emma, as I am sure she would be heartened to know just how valuable and beneficial her creation has been and will continue to be.

RogerB

 

[pollywannacracker]

ESMB has been a unique tool in my personal healing process - and for others from all that I have read.

The support from the members has been non-evaluative when you take the HE&R out of some of the posts. But hey! HE&R is part of the healing process when you take into account the scamming done by the Co$.

I feel a bond with the members that I wouldn't ordinarily get in my everyday life, as my non-scio friends have no reality on what I have said or what I have presented them to read - since they were no involved in the cult.

I truly wish the best for everyone here as it takes time to heal.

-Pollywannacracker

 

[AngeloV]

My 2 cents

It means:

Having hope - That more people will read these posts and get out of the cult.

Happiness - That we can share our common experiences and laugh or cry about them.

Feeling relief - That I can vent my frustrations about the time and money I wasted so that I can 'float my needle' without holding onto cans!

Being grateful - To Emma, whoever you are, for creating the board. Molto grazie.


RogerB - great post. Thanks!

 

[Kathy (ImOut)]

ESMB is my "safe" place. I've healed so much from reading the various posts here. I have made new friends. Some I've met in person others are just virtual - but people I care about just the same.

There are days when I think I can "move on" from ESMB. But then I'd miss what it gives me each day - a sense of "belonging". A place where others understand what I've gone thru; 1. as being a Scn and 2. as recovering from Scn. I don't get that understanding any other place. Because only a fellow recoverer understands what it's like to recover from Scn.

A big hug and kiss to Emma for starting this site. It's been a God send.

 

[Good twin]

ESMB is my "safe" place. I've healed so much from reading the various posts here. I have made new friends. Some I've met in person others are just virtual - but people I care about just the same.

There are days when I think I can "move on" from ESMB. But then I'd miss what it gives me each day - a sense of "belonging". A place where others understand what I've gone thru; 1. as being a Scn and 2. as recovering from Scn. I don't get that understanding any other place. Because only a fellow recoverer understands what it's like to recover from Scn.

A big hug and kiss to Emma for starting this site. It's been a God send.

Yep. What the twin said.

 

[Tiger Lily]

Great thread RogerB

What ESMB means to me has changed over the last 8 months, but the main point is that it has changed me.

I came initially to thank an ex who I had known personally while "in" and whose courageous real-name "Through the Door" post opened my eyes and got me out. (Alanzo you're awesome!) That was all I intended to do.

But then I saw what a great community was here and posted an intro post. The support and friendliness blew me away and suddenly all these layers started coming off. For weeks I read here constantly and couldn't stop laughing and crying (I think you'd call that "charge" coming off if you were a Scientologist). I didn't even realize how much was bottled up inside me, and for the first time there was a safe place to talk about it.

Then I reached a stage where I just really like the people here. Scientology really doesn't have a hold on me any more. I was only public and my family and friends were never in, so my losses were time and money and self-respect for a while. Thanks to ESMB I've gotten the self-respect back. The loss of time and money still make me angry sometimes, but that's in the past and it's time to live now; I guess what I paid for was an education (Ph.D in lying and manipulation techniques, and exploiting human weaknesses).

So now ESMB means a group of intelligent and diverse people who were drawn to Scientology mostly because they had a vision of a better future, as I did, and who are some of the coolest funnest people I've ever met. People who have learned some of the same lessons I've learned, who were the "strong" ones who really do "think for themselves" and who I can relate to. I really love this place!

Happy 1000th day to EMSB and every poster here! Emma, you have my sincere gratitude for what you have created here.

-TL

 

[Carmel]

I think Emma has a pretty good idea of how valuable and beneficial ESMB has been, and I think that's one of the main reasons why she's maintained it despite the personal hardship and personal cost which she has had to bear, because she created it in the first place and because of her role as Admin - By the same token though, I don't think that we can sing her praises too loudly.

Sometimes I get p'ssed off with ESMB, but so often I just marvel at what ESMB has given me and given so many. I wouldn't be able to condense what it has meant and does mean, into a few paragraphs, so I won't attempt to. I will say though, that I thank my lucky stars, thank Emma and thank all of you, for this gem of a thing that ESMB is.

 

[michaelangelo]

When I first found ESMB I thought I'd locate some old friends. Then I saw you all had made up names so I couldn't recognise anyone. Anyway I've found some old friends and made some new friends which is great. We have been part of something that not many people know a lot about. Somehow it binds us. As someone else said "sometimes I'm pissed off with ESMB" but I think I've learnt from that also. How we don't always see eye to eye. But accept each other. I've learnt not to get pissed off with people so much if they don't agree with me.
Thanks Emma and for everyone involved.

 

[uniquemand]

Since ESMB is approaching 1,000 days, I was caused to wonder what ESMB means/represents to each of you.

For me, it has been a wondrous thing to see the healing that has occurred for many and, on another count, to see the truth being outed so folks can get on with life in a more optimum manner.

But, each of us being the individuals we are, what have you benefited from on ESMB, what's it mean/represent to you?

I ask the question because it would also be a correct gesture to our Emma, as I am sure she would be heartened to know just how valuable and beneficial her creation has been and will continue to be.

RogerB

Before I read the whole thread, let me just reply to the OP!

ESMB means a group of people who have experienced something very similar to what I experienced. This, by itself, is precious. It is also a communication channel to each of these people, which allows me to grow and consider many other views, while also imparting my own. There have been other message boards that I operated on, but this one is well-suited to me now. I am an ex-scientologist. Thanks for asking.

 

[olska]

What ESMB means to me is a wonderful, wonderful resource for people who want to untangle themselves from the sticky web of scientology and move on with their lives

Each of us has the freedom to interpret that however we like, and the only requirement for membership is a desire to be here!

It's an amazing support group, very much like a local support group comprised of a dozen people that you might attend in your home town; but because of the internet, it extends to people all over the world.

Thank you Emma!

 

[Type4_PTS]

What all of you said above is true and I agree with all of it. The single most important aspect of ESMB to me is probably being able to communicate with others who shared the same experiences within Scn, as well as to understand what the hell happened within the CO$. It's very difficult for most people to really understand what it is you experienced in scientology if they have no similar experience of their own. So I tended not to talk to others about my experiences with anyone prior to arriving to this message board, as they just didn't "get it".
Emma, you have my deepest gratitude for establishing and maintaining this board.

 

[Free Being Me]

When I left the CofS I tossed my experiences into a file marked Trash. Finding ESMB, I have started looking at my church days, re-examining what I took as truth from LRH books. I now understand that it's up to me to educate myself regarding spirituality, life and people. Thank you Emma and all of you that post your thoughts and insights!

 

[Megalomaniac]

I had no idea there were so many people with similar experiences to mine. I might be crazy , but at least I'm not the only one.

And plus also, I got to make friends with people in the land of Oz and the Unified Kingdom (Britain) and other places that you can't see from the U.S.A. because the Earth is actually curved.

And especially thanks to FoTi, Happy Girl and Good Twin, for always listening to my story.


Mac

 

[auntpat]

Education

Having left Scientology in 1973, I had no idea about what it had become. Having read your stories I am abhored at the crimes that are being commited.

My prayer list has included many of your names, proper names when known and post names, when not. My God knows who you are. He's pretty smart.

I have laughed with you, and cried with you, and thank God and Emma that this site survives and continues to educate me and others to the truths of this cult.

 

[olska]

I had no idea there were so many people with similar experiences to mine. I might be crazy , but at least I'm not the only one.

And plus also, I got to make friends with people in the land of Oz and the Unified Kingdom (Britain) and other places that you can't see from the U.S.A. because the Earth is actually curved.

And especially thanks to FoTi, Happy Girl and Good Twin, for always listening to my story.


Mac

That must be why I can't see Russia from my little burrow out here at 290th Avenue and T road!

Back to our regular programming...

 

[Ex_SaintHill]

For me it means a great community to meet likeminded people and to have a place where you know you are not the only ones to have been in this mess. Also a great place to meet people you have once known

 

[I told you I was trouble]

After many years of NOT being able to communicate to anyone about what I really felt and thought (about scientology) all of a sudden I was able to do so in abundance and to read others posts that were similar.

Here, I have discovered people who are all very different but with one huge thing in common and even though we do irritate each other on occasion there is an absolute bond between us that would be pretty hard to smash, I know I would help anyone here if they needed it and feel I could rely on the same.

I celebrated one year here the other day and in that year I have become who I really am ... imperfect but very easily pleased, sometimes a pain in the arse, but mostly happy and any abilities I had I have retained or improved upon.

Freedom to be myself ... THAT is what this board means to me and there is no price that can be put on that...

... but there is a cost to run this board and PayPal is in the bottom right hand corner now ... it all adds up.

 

[gerry]

Since ESMB is approaching 1,000 days, I was caused to wonder what ESMB means/represents to each of you.

For me personally it has been reconnection with my sister. Never really lost but the brick wall and barrior scientology has now gone.

I just love those happy dance emotcons

 

[Carmel]

<snip>
... but there is a cost to run this board and PayPal is in the bottom right hand corner now ... it all adds up.

I could/would say the same as you've said in your entire post, ITYIWT - Yep, it's all so, so good, for so many of us.

On what I've quoted above though....A good thing to point out - I think that the coffers may need some topping up again, so for those of us who may feel inclined, it'd be a great time to love bomb ESMB with a few 'submits' on the paypal button.

 

[Carmel]

For me personally it has been reconnection with my sister. Never really lost but the brick wall and barrior scientology has now gone.

I just love those happy dance emotcons

Yep, it's been a wonder for you and I, and for so many.

The benefits of ESMB (to scios, to exes, and to family members of exes) are too numerous to mention. ESMB is/has been indeed priceless - A true God send in so many different ways.