Changing Paths Challenge day 4 — new friends

I’ve met some lovely new people in Canada — in the Wiccan and Pagan community, at pottery class and also Morris dancers. Plus we’ve joined a (secular) choir recently.

The photo is of one of the pots I made tonight.

Friendship is important.

When a person has left a high-control religion, forming new friendships can be difficult if they are not familiar with the wider secular culture. There’s also the issue of trying to sort out your values and excavating your real personality from beneath what the religion imposed on you. Fortunately my parents left the high control religion we were in when I was 9 years old, so I was able to adjust quite quickly. I discuss the issues caused by high control religions in a chapter in the book.

Moving to another culture (no matter how similar to one’s culture of origin) is difficult too. There’s a degree of loss and confusion and adjustment there too.

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Changing Paths is published by 1000Volt Press and is available from all the usual online stores. Ask your local bookseller or library to stock it!

The goal of the book is to help you decide your own path by guiding you through the perils and pitfalls of the terrain, and asking questions to help you deepen your understanding of the reasons for your desire to change paths.