Hard Choices
Letter to the editor
It’s all about the choices we make in life to end up where we are today and who we are.
Some make good choices and some make bad choices. It doesn’t matter how we were brought up, but at the same time it depends on the individual — where we came from, our family values and how we were raised. One may be raised by parents, grandparents, aunt/uncle, foster parents or single parents. Some are blessed and fortunate to have good sober parents and some not so much. I think it’s how we were brought up in different lifestyles and the people that surround us we learned from as we were growing up.
Some learn from their own mistakes, some learn from others’ mistakes and some learn from others (teachers, elders, etc.).
When we become at a certain age, we start to make our own choices and it’s up to each individual on how he/she wants to be. There are leaders, followers and loners. No matter how we grow up, we are taught from right and wrong. Some learn the hard way and it’s up to us whether we make the right or wrong choices and depends on the kind of people we choose to hang with.
We can’t blame others for our own mistakes because it’s the choices we’ve made and the people we hang with. If you got into trouble while drinking or doing drugs, those are your own actions. And there are consequences we have to face. No matter how much you want to blame others, it’s your own fault because you, yourself, made those choices. Others didn’t make you drink or do drugs. Others didn’t make you do the actions you took or did to make you end up where you are or the situation you’re in. If you don’t like the consequences, then you should think twice before you think of drinking or doing drugs.
As much as it sounds and looks fun to drink or do drugs, sometimes we have to make hard choices by not doing them. We need to find other ways to enjoy life by being sober. There’s more to life other than to party or do drugs.
When you make the right choices in life, good things will happen for you. Whatever dreams or goals you have — you have to work hard for it. Then you will be successful in whatever you choose.
— Althea Jackson