preaching to the converted perhaps..

[about time too]

Well, hopefully not preaching....

I was listening to this this morning.
Life Matters - 7March2008 - Talkback: No thanks, I don't drink alcohol

While it was talking to people about how do you go about NOT drinking in a culture that drinks so much the people who called in and talked on the show were really interesting. One guy, now sober, recalls how his father in law continues to ask him if he wants a drink saying that hopefully he will grow up enough to have a drink... and stop just being sober.

I love hearing the light in peoples voices who have been sober for a long time. Sure, its an everlasting thing, this no drink, but its not a demon after while. The light in their voices gives me continued hope.

The show is an interesting debate really.. about pressure to drink.. in our culture... the link between supposed success and drinking.. sport and drink.. family pressure. Seems like making independent decisions is a challenge hey. What was also interesting was some young guy who does not drink (17 or something, I think) and the people on the show assumed that was because he had a problem with drinking, when he just didnt like it!!! I like the comment about how my self approval matters more than how others approve of me.

Interesting also is the observation about how boring drunk people actually are.. talking crap and how when you are sober, you just absent yourself from it, cos it IS boring. No one will notice if you leave cos they are too drunk!!

I have never been overtly pressured to have a drink - people do accept it if I say no. There is implied pressure sometimes, but I dont find that hard anymore. Some on the show tell awful stories of pressure. I still sometimes wonder if now that i've dealt with my crap if I could start up again.. but really its not worth the risk. For me, that was a life of lies and deceit and i'll never forget the story of that moderation management woman. Anyway, the people on this show who were 15 years plus sober and happy REALLY inspire me.

So... i'm not falling to the advertising or the falsehood of alcohol anymore. I disagree with the discussion on advertising, but it was interesting anyway.

phew.
Brigid

[Victory]

Hi ya about time too, heard that program this morning and was blown away. Very inspirational to hear the long-term success of those speaking and calling in. Life matters, is a great program listen to it every morning at work, customers like it too.
Thanks for posting the link so others may hear it too. See ya Aunty Vic

[Flip]

Hey, thanks for this Brigid. I'm going to listen to it now (boring Friday afternoon at work on the beginning of a long weekend!)