Don't pass the doobie.

I felt an urge to post on this, it may seem random, but here we go.

I have never tried marijuana. never. I've been asked, no badgered, almost bullied into trying it a million times. But I have not.

And why won't I? Simple, I don't want to try it and like it.

There are too many people I know, close friends and friends of friends, that use drugs (even drugs as harmless as marijuana) as an escape from the world. This goes for alcohol too; however, I don't want to focus on alcoholism, because for some reason people seem okay with the idea of a stoner, but not okay with the idea of an alcoholic.

Maybe because stoners=hippies, free love and peace, while alcoholics=violence.

I put these two abusers on the same level, because both are victim to the same tragedy: a life unlived due to substance abuse taking over. Not every story is the same, but the people I know use pot as a way to not feel. They've had it with life, and opt for a way to avoid life all together. The bad part about this plan is that they miss the pragmatic process of feeling. We must feel (the good and the bad) in order to live our lives properly.

There is a quote that ties in with this, it goes, "We are never closer to defeat than in our moments of greatest victory." I think back to all of my greatest moments in my short life, and realize how true that is. All of my greatest victories have been breakthroughs from the greatest pain, fear, anxiety and sadness I have ever felt. And it was crippling, at the time, to feel those things. But overcoming those feelings were the defining moments of my life.

The point is, if I would have placated my feelings with the use of drugs (any drug) I would have remained in a stalled state. I would have never left the pain aside, but only pushed it away for the moment. My life would not be lived, but would be put on pause.

Yes, it's true that I use certain things to de-stress: baths, walks, music, dancing, etc. But these are not my main solace in life.

When I am truly in a state of disarray and distress, I turn to God. This may sound silly, crazy and weird to some of you. That's alright, I've been called all those things in my life. All I can do is tell you what has worked in my experience, and that is God.

Do I condemn all drug-use to the depths of hell? No, I know people are going to do it, regardless. But do I think drugs are the high point of life? No, and you know that as well as I do.

I simply want to state that there is so much more to life than smoking, drinking, snorting and escaping life. You can choose, to instead, live it.