I was married 33 years when my ex and I divorced. It should have happened earlier but I really didn't want it to end. Even in the beginning when the wounds were fresh, I didn't have a desire to look for supernatural comfort. And I agree, what happened with my marriage is just evidence on the side of atheism (even though I'm agnostic I lean toward atheism).

You are handling this really well, and we all go through bad times, they pass, and one day you can look back, be glad its over and pat yourself on the back fro handling it so well/ Go you.

I'm sorry you're going through this. I just got confirmation that my divorce is final. I was married for 9 years and I'm very sad. My ex and I are still friends, and I still go to her yoga classes. It's refreshing to discuss painful things on social media without a lot of empty offerings of prayer. You are strong and you will prevail! Hang in there.

Weed, no joke.

I'm coming back to life after 5 years at death's door. Enough to depress someone I got through those 5 years without a god looking out for me. It isn't always easy but you can do it.

The ultimate power we have is within the self. Take one day and one problem at a time, and I assure you, things will improve over time. You can do this!!

I was a very religious person up until age 39 when I finally saw the light so to speak. During that time I periodically had bouts of terrible “bad luck” which would last for a period of time. When I left the church, I lost my wife and family and all my “friends.” It was a difficult time, to say the least, but when things got better they got much better. Either the “bad luck times” were just things I was bringing on myself or I simply developed a more rational attitude toward them. A great load was lifted from my shoulders and I wasn’t guilty for things I should never have been guilty for in the first place. I remarried and we had a girl that has grown into a wonderful young lady and I’m happy and don’t really believe in luck. You already seem to have a good attitude so you’ll be fine, which it seems you already know, so I’m just trying to reinforce that attitude.

His loss, you are beautiful.

So here we are 4 months on Joanne, are things better for you? My problems have partially resolved themselves and life is looking a lot more worth living again. Do hope you are also in a better situation than you were in December.

Be strong and confident in your own abilities ....no use praying....nobody is listening.

Something I learned in therapy....

thought moves in cycles, and in order to change any of these you must train yourself to intervene at some point and then you can get a hold of it.

ETFA - Emotion, Thought, Feeling, Action

Thoughts and Actions are the easiest to steer in a new direction, and they will lead you to new emotions and feelings.

So when you have a negative emotional state and it triggers a negative thought, like "I am trapped", left alone that would lead to the feeling that you are unable to change your circumstance. That might lead to an action that would tend to reinforce the emotion you first experienced.

If you choose a new thought to replace the "I am trapped" with something else it may be able to lead you in a new direction....it's not easy but it does work if you keep at it. Write down the thought and a new one to replace it, so that you are prepared when it hits.

It also doesn't have to be an inverse of the original, it just needs to be something positive instead. If you are feeling trapped, then change it to "i need a break"

Those thoughts can lead you out, trust me. Because of this, I have been off my depression medication (that I was on for years and years.) for around 8 months now. It works.

I wish you well.

I know where you are coming from Im life is mess up right now My 85 year old mother had just had 2 strokes in a matter of a week they say every thing happens for a reason but we always do not know why Just know that every thing will get better

Pack a bag and hit the road. Look on line for some cheap airfares and head to Europe. Its the off season and summer is not wise because there too many people, long lines and the prices go up. From Germany you can go to Paris, Belgium and lots of surrounding areas. Language is not a problem. Start a plan and see how it goes.

It will pass... when I look back I ask myself will I ever go back to that? ....No no... now when I have this.. this peace.... stability.... I sometimes can not belive how happy I am!!!!!

for sure there is light at the end of the tunnel even if the tunnel has a curve in it at the moment.

Good for you! .....I can relate........married 30 years ,,,,,,,,,now im single...sorta sucks .......but oh well

Good for you! .....I can relate........married 30 years ,,,,,,,,,now im single...sorta sucks .......but oh well

Although I haven't spent that much time as a thiest, I know what you mean, after my divorce I went through the motions of a regular life for about a year. I felt no comfort in false belief. I was married for 17 years, now, 16 years later, I can say it was probably the best thing that could. have happened. You have to give yourself time to grieve, It's like a death, don't rush it. Take your time. I promise, this too shall pass

Well done.

I never understand what people mean by atheist. Do they not believe in a higher power or anything. I like equating God to nature and physics. I don't believe in an egotistical God but when you look at physics, they say that it seems impossible that a higher power, or as i like to call it infinite wisdom didnt create it. To me I think it would be depressing to not be consciously aware after death. But i hate the idea of an angry egotistical God watching our every move. Sometimes I wonder if we don't each live in pur own world and God is who we want him to be. You want an angry old God, fine. Don't push him on me. And then maybe we all live in our own Universe and aren't on a tangent to each other and the universal laws are different for each of us. Good luck to you. I loved Pendelton.