Personal Inquery
Alcohol. Used for rubbing. Of course there is another kind. Used for courage and erasing. I have never had a beer or alcoholic beverage as an adult and here's why. It scares me. Don't get me wrong, I want to drink. Seems like everyone else does, and I must be missing out right? But then I see the consequences. Hangovers and puking, even more distasteful, driving drunk, and alcoholism. I know people can drink socially and responsibly. I'm just uncomfortable with the motives for drinking, the potential consequences of drinking, and the poor risk/reward ratio.
Most of all, I think my life has been touched by alcohol, in mostly invisible ways.
My dad's dad was an abusive alcoholic. He left the family when my dad was a teen. I never met him, never knew him, but I hate the choice he made. My dad has been accused of drinking, i think he may have been stopped for driving drunk, I think he may have had a problem at times with drinking but I wouldn't know. I've never seen him drinking, except a few times when I was younger. Last time I saw him, we went to a bar where everyone knew him. He hadn't been there in 8 mos, and they had missed him. So assuming my dad drinks, I would guess its because it's an escape. But I don't want to escape, nor do I want to drive drunk, or be abusive, or abandon my loved ones. Nor do I want to be an alcoholic, or lose a whole day because I am hungover or sick. I've had friends walk away from me because they started drinking and they knew I didn't. They started drinking for social reasons. People are often much braver and more open after a few beers. I would choose for people to learn to be brave and confident and open without drinking, but I can't choose for anyone else. I can only choose for me. So I choose not to drink.

The last question then is one of judgement, how do I feel about people who do drink? I can't say in general, but if you ask me about a specific person, I'll tell you. ;) We are all fallen down droopy eyed people, stumbling through life as best we can. Some days we rule, and some days we drool. I love everyone as much as I can, and I have no room to judge. I have way to much of my own mess to focus on. I think not drinking is better than drinking. But what do I know? I've never done it.