So the other day my daughter was complaining via Facebook that her wine supply needed to be replenished. Her current inventory was simply too “unappealing.”
Obviously, my attempted influence away from the use of alcohol as she grew up did not have all the impact on her that I had wished. But I continue to put my oar in where I can with the hope that one day she and others close to me will see the value in abstaining.
The imbibing of alcoholic beverages is something to which I’ve given quite a bit of thought over the years, not because I think the activity is necessarily sinful, but because when weighed in the balance the bad effects of alcohol most definitely outweigh the good.
As I mentioned to Meg, “visualize…a world without alcohol.”
Think about it. No alcoholic beverages would mean:
- No need for the utter silliness of calling alcoholism a “disease.” We could just get real and go back to calling it an addiction that happens when someone gives them self over to abusing the stuff.
- No need for the millions of attempts to soft-pedal some horrific action like vehicular homicide, murder, rape or spousal or child abuse by claiming that “Well, I had been drinking. I didn’t MEAN to do it!”
- No need for the premature funerals where grieving relatives and friends have to grapple with the necessity of forgiving the one who “didn’t MEAN to do it!”
- No need for the families and friends of those who “didn’t MEAN to do it” to have the gut-wrenching experience of having to pick up the pieces of smashed lives laying around after the death or disability of the one who “didn’t MEAN to do it” or his/her victims.
- No need for “designated drivers.”
- No need for…
And on and on the list of non-necessities could go.
I’m speculating that most who read this (especially those who “just like a glass of wine now and then”) will snap to the thought that the rationale for my position is extreme. After all, just because you have a glass of wine or a beer doesn’t mean you would end up being the person who “didn’t MEAN to do it.”
But as it’s been said many times and in many ways, the one who simply swears off of alcohol completely will never even have to think about a long list of potential consequences of their potential actions. Where there is no use there will never be any abuse.
With all the evil that has resulted over the centuries from the initially innocent use of alcohol and since there is, of course, zero chance that this world will ever be free of the juice, it would be spectacular to think that we would simply be smart and leave the stuff alone.
Don’t worry. I’m not holding my breath. It quickly makes you turn blue.
But on the other hand, drinking makes you STINK!
You’re in Boardman Country!
Make yourself at home. Just leave your drink on the porch.
Brad
I live part time in France, and part time in the UK, and there are very different attitudes towards alcohol in each country. The more restrictive attitudes in the UK appear to have made the situation worse, if anything.
.-= A. @ A Changing Life´s last blog ..Le Damier Fleuri (a patchwork in flower) =-.
@ A. – Again, I know full well that the stuff will never be banned here. That’s why I wish folks would simply get smart and make the decision to abstain.
It is sad that something like alcohol has wrecked havoc in the lives of so many.
Thanks Karen.
Yep. It’s a new tragedy with every new victim.
Growing up, alcohol was readily available in my home…and no one drank. I think because it wasn’t taboo and wasn’t locked away in a special cabinet we didn’t think twice about indulging. I love to have a drink with a good meal, but I can go months without it even crossing my mind.
Hi Corrin.
So you see, total abstinence is just an easy decision away! 🙂
What an absolutely spot on post! I couldn’t agree with you more! 🙂
Hi Barbara!
Alas. I think we are few and far between!
Thanks for the comment.
People will do what they will do, I guess.
.-= psyche´s last blog ..Review (in progress) =-.
Psyche –
Certainly, that is true.
However, come, let us reason together.
I’m not a huge drinker, although I do like a glass of wine every now and then, but I have to agree with all the points you made. Great post.
.-= Cady´s last blog ..Coincidence =-.
Hi Cady!
Thanks for stopping by and for the comment!
Another thing for which there would be no need in a world without alcohol: Bumper stickers like this one – “Don’t drink and drive!”
I don’t drink any more because of my health, but I do miss having a beer or even a cocktail once in a while. I believe that if you can control your drinking, there’s no problem with alcohol.
.-= ConnieFoggles´s last blog ..Walking For Breast Cancer With La Vie de Laurie =-.
Thanks for stopping by, Connie!
Unfortunately, many believe they can control it, but don’t. The resulting carnage is unspeakable.
I believe it’s better to have used it and miss it than to continue using it and chance not being able to miss it.
I think I could add many things to a list of things the world could do without.
I personally only drink occasionally. I certainly don’t think of it as a sin- like many things, alcohol can be abused by some. For those who don’t abuse it, it can be enjoyable.
.-= Maureen´s last blog ..TVI Express: Is It Hype? =-.
Hi Maureen.
I have no doubt that folks who drink enjoy it.
My rationale is simply that I would “enjoy” knowing that none of us would ever have to deal with the consequences of those who say they can handle alcohol, but…”oops”…didn’t.
I do feel this is very true, I grew up in a abusive family and most of them are alcoholics.
I am not one of them, thankfully.
I would get hit a lot by my father and when I turned 18 is when I left.
My father almost killed my brother when he was 8 months, after one night of drinking he tried shoving a wash cloth down his throat cause he wouldn’t stop crying.
I was 12 when this happened and I turned my father in, my brother was taken away for three yrs.