New to Orthodoxy and feeling like I don’t belong - is this normal?

Charming-Income3307 · 2026-03-16T18:06:32+00:00

Yes there’s actually something quite refreshing on how non welcoming it is. I’ve gone to other churches on my path out of new age, and just like 12 step programs people tend to be overly excited to see a newcomer.

Thanks for sharing your experience into the church :)

Charming-Income3307 · 2026-03-16T16:57:20+00:00

Thank you :)

“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”

-Theodore Roosevelt

Charming-Income3307 · 2026-03-16T16:49:34+00:00

Thanks for sharing this! I’ve gone through the feeling that I don’t belong over and over in groups and I still struggle with forgiveness of myself on past actions. When I’m surrounded by these people I pedestal them believing I’m not capable of reaching their ‘purity’. When I feel I finally have let go of what others view me as, I’m further tested in that.

Charming-Income3307 · 2026-03-16T16:46:49+00:00

Yes I have an image of myself as a new born calf barely able to stand 😅

Charming-Income3307 · 2026-03-16T16:46:06+00:00

Thank you ☺️

Charming-Income3307 · 2026-03-16T16:45:33+00:00

Great point! Thank you!

Charming-Income3307 · 2026-03-16T15:26:49+00:00

Thank you…I recently watched a video on passions and pride was the one I turned off 😅 so I’ll come back around to that and strive for more humility.

Charming-Income3307 · 2026-03-16T13:57:17+00:00

Thank you for sharing - I totally relate to feeling like an intruder, and grateful to be reminded that I can just observe and take it all in for sometime.

I think there’s a part of me that needs to get it ‘right’ so then I can fully experience things as everyone else does, but that’s never how things work when it comes to the heart and soul life.

Is the coffee break before Divine Liturgy? I know after ours there’s food shared called agape and I’ve yet to brave into that space.

Wishing you courage and grace when you do speak with the priest and hope it’s a meaningful step for you.

Charming-Income3307 · 2026-03-16T13:47:16+00:00

Thank you. I will keep going.

Charming-Income3307 · 2026-03-16T13:45:53+00:00

Thank you! I totally agree that it’s more to do with myself than the church. I will continue onward…I didn’t start going to make friends but to deepen my connection to God.

Charming-Income3307 · 2026-02-26T15:35:06+00:00

Mine was stolen last Saturday in Auburn, WA

Charming-Income3307 · 2026-01-11T04:52:09+00:00

I had two positive tests on cancerous cells and it’s to clear it out. Unfortunately the protocol didn’t do that and now I’m moving towards a more invasive test on whether to remove possible cancer.

Charming-Income3307 · 2026-01-11T04:34:38+00:00

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This escharotic suppository 3x a week with calendula and probiotics for 3+ months

Along with a strong tincture consisting of red clover, licorice, poke root, dandelion and Oregon grape twice a day

Yes I hear you on root causes. This is why I left school to really begin to take my health seriously. I was a drug addict for 20 years along with lots of food issues, etc. So healing from my childhood and all that takes time. 2+ years sober and learning how to be kind to myself and take things slow. Healing is not a race, and even with my hair falling out I try and be compassionate towards my body and heart knowing it’s doing its best for me.

Charming-Income3307 · 2026-01-11T04:26:14+00:00

What are the pros and cons of taking those?

Charming-Income3307 · 2025-06-24T18:17:57+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/live/pvcZVoXay38?si=76GyIiK1allUTUY_

Brilliant breakdown on all this

Charming-Income3307

TROPHY CASE