I thought it might be interesting to post some 'Leaving the Seed' stories. Here's mine:
I was 26 years old. I had just had my 7 year Seed anniversary. I got a card that that said, 'Seven Years is a Long Time. Congratulations, we love you.' (I still have the card). I was living with Cliff, Corky, Brad, Dave - who else? Hard to remember. I had spent a year of so working at a print shop, before that I had worked with Bobby at a lawn service, before that I had taken a year off to 'help out' at the seed, and before that I had worked about 4 years at Broward General. Anyway, I felt that I was going no where. I was doing my best, but my needs, desires, passions, weren't engaged. I loved the people I was with, and I truly wanted to be a part, but I felt increasingly marginal and isolated. This was 1985. I had pushed down my disillusionment with the Seed for a number or years, but on this one occasion I couldn't avoid it. I hung out with one of my house mates until about midnight, watching TV. Went to bed, woke up at 3:00 am and thought, I have to go - now. I loaded up my car with whatever I could grab, eased it out of the drive, and started north. Later, change of heart, tried to call Cliff/The Seed to tell them I'd made a big mistake. Actually fell asleep with the phone in my hand. When I woke up, I knew I was right. I called my family in Ohio, told them I was coming home, ask questions later, got in my car and left the hotel. That was it.
