Just Say No!

I am pretty sure they started telling all school children this at the ripe old age of 8, but really what is it about the simple 2 letter word that makes it so darn difficult to say when you really need to?

Your parents and teachers all tell you it is the best thing, the safest choice, or even the most adult/responsible choice, but what is it about "yes" that is so tempting that is almost impossible to say "no" forever.

Think about it, how long did you say "no" to a drink of alcohol, a beer, a shot, a margarita? I am pretty sure I was hostinhg all night drinking parties at 17 years old at least.

When did you finally take a puff of that cigarette or joint? Yep, I did that too.

When did you finally cave in and have pre-marital sex that would most likely not lead to marriage? Oh boy...

Really, we are all told to say "no." Abstinece is best, Cigarettes and Drugs will kill you (we have all seen those lung pics...), alcohol will ruin your liver, etc... And at first it is really easy. "I am sorry I want to be the good, responsible, grown up and mature kid that my mom will love forever," we say it so easily, bravely, and probably without hesitation. Until something somewhere happens and the little devil on your shoulder trumps the angelic one and we cave in. At first it is just one thing a puff, just one night of passion, just one sip....then it is like the potato chip commercial "can't have just one." Oh, it is so true. Somewhere in that caving action I think we found that we enjoyed the "bad" thing we were doing and in that moment we lose all abilty to say "NO" and it is eagerly replaced with "YES." Now it is more of a challenge to try all the bad things mom warned you about and see if they are all really that bad. Really?

My time home has been challenging and I have been good. I promised myself to drink responsibly, and I have. I gave up the smoking of miscellaneous items long ago, and I have continued to do so. But everything else this weekend -- I was doing so good at saying "no" and avoiding temptation. I kept myself out of awkward situations and strange "alone" times, and this weekend that damned little devil angel trumped the angelic one, and sadly I don't regret any single hour of it.

Dear God,

Please forgive me for my indiscretions. I have no idea why my body trumps my mind. I will try to say "no" from now on, I promise! Please don't send me to hell for my lack of self control.

Thanks,

Me.