so my friend was talking about going Straight Edge yesterday, he explained a lot of it, but I looked it up even more. I like the idea of it, but I don't know. Like I would love to do it, because quitting smoking would be easy, quitting drinking would be pretty easy, but quitting drugs would be a little more of a problem. I mean I would like to cause I know they're bad, but when life sucks how much are you thinking about, I know when my life sucks I'm thinking of how to make it better and I already know drugs are a quick way of doing it. It's not even quitting all that that I'm worried about, that I could do, but it's if and when temptation strikes that it would be hardest. Because when life sucks, and I got nothing, I don't know what to do. And if I say I'm something, I hate breaking that, because it's like a promise to me, and if I break a promise life sucks for me and people around me. So someone help me here please because I'm lost on really what to do.
Love y'all,
Sarah
Love y'all,
Sarah
-
Re: I dunno...
Wed, August 9, 2006 - 11:01 PMWell, I'm afraid that your dillemma seems to be rooted in a fundamental struggle with the basics of the movement. Being edge isn't about whether you CAN quit doing any of those things. It is about making a pledge to yourself that you will never do any of those things again, because you believe in your heart that it is ultimately better for you to rely on your own personal strength and clarity to get you through the trials and tribulations in your life. The truth is that drugs are not a "quick way" of accomplishing anything in your life. While they may seem like a temporary fix, ultimately you are only avoiding your problems and giving them a chance to make you weaker, both physically and mentally. Being Straight Edge is a lifetime committment, not just promise that can be broken. If you "break your edge," you weren't really edge to begin with. It's certainly commendable to try even if you are uncertain, of whether or not you can do it, just know that it's not a temporary behavior like a diet or a fad. The question you need to ask yourself is not "Do I want to risk feeling bad about breaking a promise?," but instead, "Am I willing to respect my own personal strength and convictions to protect me from the hardships of life, without relying on distractions and crutches like drugs, alcohol and casual sex?" Good Luck. -
-
Re: I dunno...
Fri, August 18, 2006 - 4:14 PM"If you "break your edge," you weren't really edge to begin with"
i am straight edge and this is RIDICULOUS!!
thats like saying if a gay person goes back to the opposite sex, they wer'ent really gay to begin with.
i hate this way of thinking, i am gay but ,right now! i dont know for the rest of my life, to put a promise on yourself or anyone is like saying you know the future, when you dont. the fact is people change!
if someone is straight edge there whole life an suddenly wants to taste wine because they want to know what it tastes like, it's not breaking edge, its curiosity, change, growing, living!
sarah, he is right in the sense that drugs arent a quick way of accomplishing anything. they dont, but you choose always what you want to do.
i say go for it an see if straight edge works for you, find something to keep you from going back, something strong enough in you that makes you not even want to in the hardest of times. and go with it..
but if you fail then its not the end of the world, thats what life is about, failing and then learning, growing, taking chances!
Trying things in a new way..
i feel as though you're halfway there..just wanting to stop is a good sign.
give it a try.
i'll be proud of you for just trying.
peace
-B -
-
WOW!
Sat, August 19, 2006 - 11:30 PMHaha... That's cool. I was referring to the fact that the concept of straight edge is to make a decision to NEVER inbibe alcohol, NEVER do any drugs, and NEVER engage in meaningless sexual activity. If you do something that you said you would NEVER do... then NEVER wasn't really true, was it? It's cool if you decide to drink because you want to know what it tastes like - I agree, do whatever you want to in your life - It won't make you a bad person, it'll just make you not straight edge. If you looked into the history of the movement, you would find that I'm right. You would also find a lot of bickering over stupid shit that really doesn't matter. If you're living a clean lifestyle then that's fucking awesome and good for you, edge or not. We could further debate the symantics of the issue, but I honestly don't think it's worth it.
I do however find your choice of analogy interesting. I mean, stating that sexual orientation is a choice? That's rather convenient for the sake of your argument, but I hardly think it's fair to millions of innocent poeple who have sufferred lifetimes of hazing and harrassment because they were simply being themselves, not because they made a choice. That is RIDICULOUS!!!
The other silly thing is, we were both telling Sarah the same thing. Take care of yourself, drugs aren't the answer, and give straight edge a shot if you think it's for you. HOORAY!!!
-
-
