Now I could go on about how I care about my mind and body so much that I don’t want to drink, but here’s the general summary of why specifically I don’t drink: my parents don’t drink, most of my closest friends didn’t drink at the time when I potentially could have started, I was raised in such a way that gave me an intense desire to learn about Hinduism and religion and spirituality, I was sheltered very effectively (my parents did well), and it was taboo to be doing drugs as a Swadhyayee – it was just never appealing (reverse peer pressure). Similar reasons could be given for my vegetarian habits. It’s not because I’m a health nut, it’s because I was born into it – but now I know the reasons why and actively choose not to eat meat.
So what about the other desi kids who were raised in similar household environments? Well, I think it’s simple: for one reason or another, they didn’t have the same interest in “spirituality” and religion that was passed on to me. After learning how drinking was harmful to the mind and would greatly detract from spiritual growth (quest for long term happiness) and separate me from others who valued the same things, I decided that those two reasons were enough to resist this specific peer pressure while for others it wasn’t as important. It’s easy to do what everyone else is doing because you get company. Choosing not to drink in college separates you because you’re not sharing in the same fun as your peers. That’s the most frustrating part about it, not the fact that people are drinking, but that they’re choosing to drink over doing other activities such as sports, board games, movies, Taco Bell runs at 2AM, etc.
Finally, I would just like to add that I don’t think I am a better person than people who do drink, but I know that it is the right choice for me and my family because of what I want out of life.
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Now I'd like to turn this around and ask, why do you drink? When and why did you start drinking? Or if there are others like me, why don't you drink?
Comments
16 responses to “Why I Don’t Drink Alcohol”
I had my first “real” drink about six months before I was 21. I never really saw any reason to do it and can honestly say I looked down upon those who did. However, I had to admit that first time that it was a nice feeling. I have anxiety, and it was nice to just not have to worry for a little while. I still only drink rarely (maybe every other month), but I can say that I really do like it. It’s a nice escape from the worries that plague me the rest of the time and, quite frankly, it’s just fun. However, I completely understand people who choose not to do it. It’s certainly not something that’s needed in a person’s life. 🙂
Thanks for the honest response, Michelle, “frankly, it’s just fun” pretty much sums up why we do most things. I just want to gradually move towards fun that isn’t harmful and lasts longer. I’m trying to pick more escapes like hanging out with friends, movies, books, art, dance and since I got my android phone: angry birds heh 🙂
I don’t drink because i believe it is both a waste of valuable time and health. People are always complaining about how fast life goes, so why should we both take several years away, and make ourselves forget our lives? I believe that if we as humans continually forget our problems, we will never learn to work through them. I know from experience that the more trials we work through in life, the stronger we become and we have a much stronger testamony as well. I’d like to bless anyone who is trying to grow stronger and encourge anyone who is in a tough situation, trying to see their way out. Don’t be discouraged and try to forget what’s happening, for it will happen and you can choose to work through it and become stronger for the next tough situation, or you can choose to waste your money to forget your problem and continue to be weak.Cheers to good an healthy minds and bodies!! 🙂
“I know from experience that the more trials we work through in life, the stronger we become and we have a much stronger testamony as well” – Totally agree!
Great point about not wasting time and health. They are arguably the two most valuable assets we have, no reason to use them to do something that not only doesn’t help you, but actually hurts you (this isn’t limited to just alcohol).
Another thing I forgot to mention is the amount of money that goes into drinking. Seeing how much my friends spent on booze whenever they went out made me feel better about spending some cash to do things like bowling, movies, eating out, etc. Also look at the difference b/w dry wedding meal packages and ones with alcohol – you can save $1000’s depending on how many guests you have.
http://thoughtcatalog.com/2012/21-tips-for-people-who-dont-drink/
Lots of good stuff here!
I used to think there was something wrong with people who didn’t drink alcohol. Now I’m one of them. I’m enjoying being sober. It’s something I had to decide to do for myself. Other people telling me it was bad for me wasn’t convincing. Alcohol is poison, quite simply. All the claimed health benefits are bunk. I think I drank out of boredom. It developed into dependence. I haven’t consumed alcohol in over nine months. I don’t miss it.
I know I’m a little late, but glad to hear it! It’s been a year since your comment – how are things going?
A beautiful thought on this was given by Dadaji. I belive this is more digestible to those who belive in Idol worship. (Most of all worship the supreme power in the form of an idol in one or other way) We always see and try to imagine the supreme power in the Idol we worship daily. (We like someone who is beautiful in look, values so that we can better concetrate our mind upon and that’s why we see the supreme power in Idol who is actually within us, too, however this is not the topic but). As per Shrimad Bhagvad Geeta, the Supreme power drives our lives being with us, within us and being active each moment we live. We with our feelings offer flowers, leaves, fruits and pour milk, water, etc in the worship of the idol we have developed our love gradually on. Why should we pour alcohol on the same indwelling supreme power, if we believe fimly that the same GOD I worship in the form of an idol is within us? Even one’s gut feeling will at once deny him to do that. Let’s imagine the idol of God gets poured alcohol on it. To many people, it’s still questionable due to their curiosity for ‘Indwelling God’ and ‘Idol worship’ and relation of these two with ‘not drinking alcohol’. The one who has thought rationally on this topic may really love above thought.
Thanks Trushit that’s a great point! I want to note here that because of the efforts of Pujya Dadaji & Swadhyayees around the world, Trushit & I connected instantly because we were both connected back to our culture and religion. Why is that worth noting… because Trushit and his family live in South Korea, I live in the US, and Swadhyaya started in India. It really shows you the power of thoughts! Now back to your comment, Trushit, while this reason is valid and applies often times we think of ourselves as better because we say no to alcohol but then proceed to put other “junk” into our bodies as well such as processed food, carbonated beverages, etc. We have to really want to be healthy and live long – and we will naturally do that if we truly appreciate our existence, especially today: Happy Human Dignity Day!
I don’t drink. Be cause of a family? Yes. But the most important is that “Indwelling GOD” reason. Another one is God has gifted this beautiful Life and has given me this amazing body without even knowing my desire whether to have it or not. Therefore, I have no right to spoil it “just for FUN” thing. Jay Yogeshwar.
Jay Yogeshwar and thanks for the reply Mithun! As I stated above, it’s true that we need a bigger reason to sustain our desire to not drink such as “indwelling God,” but the reason we never started has to do with our surroundings more than our conviction – or at least it was that way for me. Happy Manushya Gaurav Din!
The question is: if you weren’t born into it, would your views and arguments be the same? Not to stir the pot too much, but do you think that sometimes by saying we aren’t going to use a “moral” line of reasoning, or an invocation of some kind emotional intoxication (forgive the pun), we are precisely doing the opposite? Is it possible to disconnect the two? And why is it that alcohol has been subjected to a worse taboo than pop? Belgian and Czech monks have been fermenting for over 500 years…when was pop invented again?
I grew up in a culture (1970s America) in which drinking and drug use to excess was the norm for a fair percentage of the youth population, and I jumped in with both feet. Unfortunately, “culture” progressed to addiction, and the natural result to that was misery. For many years I was a functional addict, able to work and maintain the supports necessary to get along, but not much more. I hold advanced degrees, which I obtained with high marks through hard work and dedication–but, have really put them to use due to the unconscious fear that holding a position with real responsibility would cramp my ability to access my addictions. Then, I read the Gita, and my life changed. I will be the first to admit it is still a work in progress, but discovering Hinduism, quite literally has saved my life. What I find most fascinating, in addition to the link between morality and the dities of our conscious existence, is that I could spend 24/7 of the rest of my life studying the various aspects of it, and never put a dent in the vast volumes of knowledge. Your blog relating to alcohol is right on point: it is not good for your mental or physical health, it is an impediment to the spiritual life, and it certainly is a crutch–an unproductive temporary sedative. Thanks for your helpful, reinforcing viewpoint.
Thank you for taking the time to respond and share your story, Mike! I’m glad to hear that you were able to make a drastic change in your life and overcome an addiction – I know that’s not easy. It’s also great to hear “I read the Gita, and my life changed” from people outside of my “religious network” to reinforce the value of the emphasis placed on studying the Gita.
Hi Prathik,
Wonderful post, i was so glad to hear that there are people out there that share the same beliefs that I do. I am against drinking and i was brought up that way. But i’ll be attending college in the next couple of weeks and it seems as though everyone around me has changed. It seems like there is no socialization or “fun” without drinking. How do i resist myself from the temptations i know im going to get? I feel like i wont find anyone that thinks like me. Any advice? This really worries me cause even some if my closest friends that i thought wouldn’t drink have started drinking/ drugs. How and what did u do in college to stay true to your morals?
Thanks, Shraddha! One of the main reasons I wrote this post is so people know this “there are people out there that share the same beliefs that I do.” My #1 piece of advice to you is don’t let the fact that you don’t drink define you. Whether you drink or not will be irrelevant very soon. If you want to stay sober, first understand why you want to do that and then just do it. It will feel like you’re alone at times, but remember YOU chose to put yourself in that situation, don’t blame the others around you for drinking.
That said, I know it’s easier said than done, especially if your friends are out drinking and you don’t know others. The thing is, colleges have 100’s of student organizations so you never have to be alone if you don’t want to (but I recommend you get some studying done too heh). Join a club or two that you’re passionate about, join intramural sports leagues, go to random classes, go out and dance even if you don’t want to drink, etc.
Remember, it’s what you do that defines you, not what you don’t do. Email me if you want to chat about this or anything else. I have a post brewing in my head about “tips for high school seniors and college freshmen.” Watch out for that soon, I think you’ll like it.