The Forbidden Fruit

God made the biggest mistake of His/Her (Well, what can I do? The gender of God is still a very much debatable issue!) life when He/She forbade Adam and Eve from eating the fruit from a particular tree. She should have known, of all people, that She was only tempting them further. Had She made no mention of the fruit to them, they might not even have discovered it. Or, considering that She was God, She could as simply have made the fruit look unappealing. Her mistake is proof to us that the status of being forbidden adds very much to the appeal of an otherwise ordinary-looking fruit.

Same goes for liquor. At home, our parents forbid us from drinking alcohol, smoking, or taking drugs. In college, the college authorities ban us from consuming alcohol (or as in the case of my college, they ban us from being found in an inebriated state), so that, by our first introduction to the boozing society, the attraction has become huge, and we succumb to the desire very easily. Instead, if alcohol is treated as something of no consequence, something very bitter in taste and with very disgusting after-effects, which in fact it is, its hold on the minds of young people would become extremely weak.

But therein lies the problem- our parents and other people who are supposed to have an influence over us, themselves do not refrain from enjoying a peg or two when they get company, as in with friends or at weddings. Or, on the other extreme, they expressly ban the bottle. Both these circumstances increase the allure of drinking. But then, I suppose that is to be expected. After all, if God could make such a gross mistake, our parents are still mere humans!

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On Life, Love and Liquor

Many people tell themselves,"There's no one who cares about me. No one who's affected if I drink. And that's why I have no reason to quit drinking.". Somewhat like Devdas, isn't it? Now, anyone might guess, I am no fan of the fellow. True, he lost the woman he loved, but he also acted like a loser. He just wasn't ready to accept his losses and move on. He sat right there in the mud and sang out to the whole world how much he loved the girl and how he was willing to destroy his whole life, now that she was no longer there. No one else existed, not even his own mother. He never thought how much pain he was causing her, or for that matter, to Paro. Chandramukhi, of course, was non-existent. He would never fight to live for someone who loved him so much as to worship him. He would only pine for the one who had left him. It is a totally different matter that it was he who drove her away.

So, contrary to the author's portrayal, I am inclined to view the bloke as the villain of the story. And it hurts me to see men and women around me who follow his example. Girlfriend left you, you take to the bottle. Had a fight with your best friend, you go and drink. Or, something much more serious happens, like the death of a loved one (God forbid!), and you find an outlet for your grief in the bottle. Pardon me, but don't you think that's a loser attitude? You are drinking in self pity, and thinking yourself to be the hero of a tragedy! Don't you think your loved one would be extremely pained to see you like this? Even in God's abode? Are you so heartless as to cause him/her such a pain?

Life tests us, causes us much pain, so much that sometimes we want to die- to sleep and never wake up, that sounds like such a relief. But we must move on. Because only when we conquer our grief does life consider us eligible for some happiness. Look around and see. You'll find examples yourselves. It is true what they say- only when you have experienced extreme sorrow, can you appreciate true happiness.

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Excuses Are Good.........Sometimes!!

Who said excuses are for losers? Here are some really cool excuses for those who have the b**ls to stay sober!

· I promised my girlfriend that I won’t drink.

· I promised my mother that I won’t drink one day every week, and today’s the day.

· It is a special prayer day at my home so I can’t drink today.

· I have a bet with someone that I won’t drink for one whole month, and I don’t lose my bets.

· If you have a friend who also wants to stop/avoid drinking, then you can make a bet with each other about who breaks down and drinks first.

· I only drink on alternate days, and today’s my day off.

· It’s my turn at the wheel today

· I don’t drink when I am happy; I dance(and then hit the dance floor!).

· My girl doesn’t like liquor-breath when I kiss her ;)

· I don’t drink around ladies (if there are any present) / elders (this will definitely work in India!). Many a pretty lady will swoon at such a gentleman :)

· My religion forbids me to drink.

· No, thank you, I am already having too much fun. I don’t need the liquor.

· I like to have a clear head while discussing business.

It’s really not that difficult to say ‘No’, and after a while people accept you as you are and even respect you for being different. You can have much more fun at your parties if you are sober enough to enjoy the moment. And yeah, girls really don’t like liquor-breath and smoke-breath :)

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